MERTHYR'S BLACK DAY Enterprising Exeter Wreck the Martyrs

Saturday, December 24th 1927
MERTHYR TOWN O EXETER CITY 3

These old rivals met at Stafford Park, Merthyr, today, and the home side were strengthened by the return of Page to the back division. Exeter fielded the same eleven that beat Walsall a week ago. The ground was heavy following the recent heavy rain and this favoured the City's style. There were three thousand spectators when the teams appeared, Exeter turning out in blue shirts.

Merthyr Town:

Lindon; Page and Pedler; Crewe, Bishop, and Lewis; Lawley, Jones, Astley, Livingstone, and Ford.

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

Referee:- Mr W.H.Burnett, of Bristol.

Exeter City played fast and forceful football at Merthyr, and were full value
for their victory by three clear goals. Compton scored the City's first goal a quarter of an hour after the kick-off, and Dent notched the second from close range ten minutes later. In the last five minutes Dent scored the third goal with a shot which Lindon should have stopped. The Merthyr Town half backs were never able to cope with the thrusting play of the City attack, and the Welsh club was only saved from collapse by Lindon's alertness and efficiency. Lawley and Ford were clever wing men, but received poor support from their inside colleagues and half backs. Astley was a very moderate leader, his shooting being woefully weak. Mason was the dominating personality of the Exeter defence, and he completely overshadowed Astley. Ditchburn and Gee also impressed as constructive half backs, while Pollard and Miller kicked cleanly and tackled with determination. Holland, though never seriously troubled, was a capable goalkeeper. Dent and Compton were the shining lights of the forward line, though their colleagues were also forceful and clever attackers. Exeter City are fifth in the League table, behind Millwall, Northampton Town, Plymouth Argyle, and Charlton Athletic.


SOUTHERN LEAGUE
EXETER CITY RESERVES 6
BATH CITY 1.

The City Reserves were at home today for the first time since November 12th, and in a Southern League match in which their opponents were Bath City, who were captained by Harry Kirk, better known as "Jazzo," an ex Grecian of great renown in these parts. The City (Exeter) introduced to their attack Clifford Bastin, the 15-years old inside left, who, as a member of the Ladysmith Road School team won English International honours. Another ex-Ladybird, Reginald Clarke, made his first appearance for Exeter as a professional player.

City Reserves:- Wainwright; Lowton and Charlton; Clarke, Pool, and Warren; Jenkins, McDade, Andrews, C.Bastin, and Kirk.

Bath City:- Davis; Poppitt and Sambridge; Long, Waite, and Smith; Brittain, Kirk, Graydon, Pocock, and Blackmore.

Referee:- Mr J.J.Hughes.

Lowton, another local player, captained the Exeter side, which opened briskly and applied considerable pressure. Davis kicked away a low shot from Jenkins with which the little outside-right tried to surprise the goalkeeper, then a clever left-wing movement by the Grecians ended in Andrews beating Davis in a leap for the ball but heading it over the goal.

Spectators Roused by Bastin.

Bastin and McDade plied Andrews well with the ball. The centre-forward, as a rule, was very closely covered, and it fell to Bastin to rouse the spectators with some very neat footwork from which the forwards on either side of him profited. Bastin was also applauded for a couple of stiff shots, quickly and well made. Brittain for Bath received several very nice passes, and there were some keen and skilful tussles between him and Stan Charlton. The Grecians' ex-captain intervened in lightning fashion more than once, and with complete success.

Charlton Nets From the Penalty Mark.

Smith and Pocock now advanced by means of a brilliant run of close passes and sent Blackmore away, but Charlton booted the ball out to Jenkins, who made an audacious and speedy run from his own half of the field, led Sambridge quite dance to the Bath end, and finally shot with great force. Davis pushed the ball out but Andrews had followed up and was in position to collect, which he did, and in a trice the ball was in the net and the first goal was scored. Davis then saved from Jenkins, and after a spell of midfield play Kirk, (of Exeter) passed across the Bath penalty area to the waiting forwards only for Sambridge to punch the ball out with his fist. From the penalty mark Charlton gave Davis no chance with a sharp drive to the bottom corner of the goal. Exeter's Kirk then eluded Poppitt and placed the ball well down the field to Andrews. Davis dashed out in a desperate attempt to reach it first, but the centre-forward slipped round the goalkeeper and drove into the empty goal. Brittain scored for Bath City with a beautiful shot which entered the net off the far upright.

Half-time:
City Reserves 3 Bath City 1.

Second Half.

The second half was memorable for the scoring of two brilliant goals by the fifteen years old Clifford Bastin, and one by McDade in the last minute.