Queens Park Rangers v Exeter City

Saturday, November 12th 1927.
QUEEN'S PARK RANGERS 0
EXETER CITY 1.

Rain fell during the morning in London, but at the start of the match at the Rangers' ground the overhead conditions were fine. The turf, however, was in poor condition and soft on the surface, and likely to cut up after the first few minutes. The attendance was below six thousand.

Queen's Park Rangers:
Cunningham; Sweetman, Pierce; Collier, Eggleton, Turner; Mustard, Paterson, Goddard, Neil, and Roberts.

Exeter City:
Holland; Pollard, Miller; Phoenix, Pool, Gee; Purcell, McDevitt, Dent, Vaughan, and Compton.

Referee:- Mr G.S.Osell.

The Grecians created a surprise by winning at Shepherd's Bush against Queen's Park Rangers, who were proud leaders of the Third Division a little more than a month ago. Goddard found his match in Alec Pool, though on two occasions he was badly at fault when well placed in front of goal. Dent was again in brilliant form for the City, and three minutes before half time, receiving a headed pass from McDevitt, he scooped the ball into the net to give Exeter a well-deserved lead, which they held on to.

SOUTHERN LEAGUE
CITY RESERVES 2
MERTHYR TOWN RESERVES 1.

Today's attraction at St James's Park was a Southern League match between the City Reserves and Merthyr Reserves, and the Grecians were hopeful of avenging their narrow 1-nil defeat at Penydarren Park on October 22nd.
Teams :
City Reserves:- Wainwright; Lowton, Charlton; Ditchburn, Mason, Warren; Parkin, McDade, Chambers, Lievesley, and Kirk.

Merthyr Reserves:- Lewis; Mason, Evans; Richards, Smith, McLachlan; Morgan, Astley, Keohane, Mays, and Ford.

Referee:- Mr J.J.Hughes.

Exeter soon had the measure of the Merthyr attack, and the early play was all at the visitors' end. After eight minutes the City took the lead, Lievesley rounding off good work by Parkin and Warren with a strong and successful shot at point-blank range. Chambers headed in a capital centre from Kirk for the second goal to the Grecians when the game was 23 minutes old. Shortly before half-time Astley scored for Merthyr following clever play by Morgan. Lewis saved a succession of shots in the second half, notably from Ditchburn and Chambers, and although continually under pressure appeared to thoroughly enjoy his job. A rousing cheer rang round the ground when the news came through that the City had beaten Queen's Park Rangers in London.

• Grecians Fifth in the League Table.
  Having remained undefeated for some time the City have made a sharp rise in the League chart, and are now fifth, the highest position they have occupied since the 1924-25 season. They have done especially well in games away from home, their last four such matches yielding six points out of a possible eight.

Playing at the Queen's Park Rangers' ground on Saturday, without a doubt the City were the superior side. There was not a weak spot in the eleven. In defence they were sound and Holland did not make a mistake. Pollard and Miller both kicked judiciously and were never rattled. Gee was the best of a splendid middle line. He kept Compton plied with many excellent passes and as a consequence the little winger was very often in the limelight. Pool, too, did much useful work in defence, and covered Goddard so effectively that the Rangers' sharp-shooter had few chances. Phoenix was also very good, but at times undecided with his passing. The forwards were a forceful cohesive line and always on the alert. The brains of the attack was again Billy McDevitt, but although Purcell did many clever things there were times when he was woefully out of position. Dent was brilliant at centre-forward, and Vaughan maintained the promising form shown in most recent matches.