SWINDON TOWN 3 EXETER CITY 0

Saturday, March 31st 1928.

Rain was falling in torrents when the Exeter City party arrived at Swindon this afternoon. The playing pitch was in a very sorry state, and there were pools of water glistening in many places. The rain was being driven before a stiff breeze, and it was clear that the match would be a hard struggle not only between the players, but between the players and the elements. In the circumstances it was not surprising to find that at three o'clock there were only a few hundred spectators. And they were all sheltered under the roof of the grandstand. Exeter City were first on the field, wearing blue jerseys. Dickinson won the toss and Swindon occupied the town end.

Swindon: Nash; Dickinson and Wylie; Low, Bew, and Archer; Denyer, Roberts, Morris, Eddleston, and Thom.

Exeter: Wainwright; Pollard and Charlton; Phoenix, Mason, and Clarke; Purcell, McDevitt, Dent, Vaughan, and Compton.

Referee: Mr W.Musther.

Three minutes before half time Roberts beat Clarke and sent Denyer away. The ball was centred to Morris, who was manoeuvring for a shot when he was bowled over by Phoenix in the penalty area. The penalty was taken by Dickinson, who failed to score, his shot being brilliantly saved by Wainwright. Rain had continued to fall steadily all through the first half, and ends were changed without the interval being taken. Morris scored for the Railwaymen after seven minutes of the second half had been played, heading a smart goal from a centre by Thom. In nine more minutes Eddleston beat Wainwright with a rising shot into the roof of the net, and a quarter of an hour from time Denyer scored Swindon's third goal with a shot which Wainwright thought would go over the bar, for he made no attempt to get to the ball. Morris was injured in a collision with Charlton, and had to leave the field, whereupon the Swindon attack lost much of its effectiveness. Morris until his injury proved himself yet again a wonderful match-winner. He was well supported by Denyer, who carried "too many guns" for Clarke, as yet lacking experience. Much work was thus thrown on Charlton, who tackled it the best way he could. Little was seen of the City attack. Attendance 3,000.

SOUTHERN LEAGUE
EXETER CITY RESERVES 6
SWINDON TOWN RESERVES 3.

The weather was inclined to be showery at St James's Park this afternoon on the occasion of the visit of Swindon Town Reserves, who engaged Exeter City Reserves in a match for Southern League points, but despite the threatening clouds there was a good "gate." Playing with marked skill at the outset it was not long before the Grecians established a lead as the result of a smart forward movement. Andrews began it with a long ground pass to Kirk, who beat Legg stylishly and crossed to the opposite wing. Jenkins reached the pass and in turn lobbed the ball back to the middle, where Andrews with a perfectly placed header did the rest. Holland at the other end cleared a dropping shot from Burgess, then the City got going again and Parkin scored their second goal, the move having again been initiated by Kirk.There was no holding the Grecians now, and Findlay had to be smart to stop a shot from Andrews entering the net.

Doubtful Decisions by the Referee.

Andrews, who was leading the City attack with great gusto, narrowly missed the goal with another "piledriver," and Jenkins shot wide of an open net. Kirk, put through nicely by Andrews, scored Exeter's third goal, netting in the far corner with a daisy-cutter. The combination of Andrews and Kirk was responsible for another goal just afterwards, but the referee disallowed the latest point on the grounds of offside against Andrews. Following this a change came over the game, and Swindon quickly profited by
some doubtful decisions on the part of the referee, scoring two goals in the space of a very few minutes.

In the first instance the visitors were awarded a spot kick, the nature of the offence being difficult to determine, and although Holland smothered the shot from the penalty spot Johnson dashed in and put the ball in the net. York was then allowed to go on from a seemingly offside position, and with the Exeter defence standing still he beat Holland with a forceful low shot. Towards the interval the City re-asserted themselves, and with the Swindon defence in a tangle McDade netted with a shot that Findlay never saw. With only a minute remaining before half-time Andrews harrassed Findlay so that he was unable to clear, and the City leader screwed the ball into the goal for the fifth time.
Half-time:
Exeter Reserves 5 Swindon Reserves 2.

York reduced Swindon's arrears early in the second half, scoring with a fast shot from close range, and ten minutes from the end Andrews, receiving from Parkin, swung round and drove in a left footed shot which Findlay knew very little about until he picked the leather out of the net. Then a pass across the goalmouth by Kirk was missed by both Andrews and Jenkins.

• EXETER CITY'S NEW MANAGER.
  
  Mr Dave Wilson, and old Scottish International half-back, has been appointed by the Exeter City directors to succeed Mr Fred Mavin as manager, and he will take up his duties on Tuesday next. As manager of Nelson A.F.C., Mr Wilson helped the club to win promotion from the Northern Section of the Third Division, and very many good footballers Owe their introduction and development in first-class soccer to his shrewd judgment.
  Commencing his football career with St. Mirren, Mr Wilson later removed to Bradford City and then to Oldham Athletic, with which club he remained for sixteen years. His playing career was ended through injury in January 1912. He is the brother of Andrew Wilson, who was a famous centre forward in the ranks of Sheffield Wednesday before the war, and the present Oldham Athletic manager.