EXETER CITY 3 SWINDON TOWN 1.

Played at St James's Park,
January 1st 1927.

Swindon Town's visit to St James's Park this afternoon was another "red letter" day in Exeter City's programme, the visitors, thanks mainly to the remarkable goal-scoring exploits of Morris, being well away at the top of the League. The Railwaymen took four points last season in matches with the Grecians, and early in the present campaign beat Exeter at the Wilts County ground. Wall, the clever Swindon inside right, broke his leg last week, and the position was entrusted to Petrie. Exeter lacked the services of Blackmore and Compton, a substitution at centre forward being made in the person of "Ginger" Phoenix, and Walker got a first-team chance at inside left. Good was at left half.

Exeter City.
Bailey; Pollard and Charlton; Pullan, Pool, and Good; Purcell, McDevitt, Phoenix, Walker, and Parkin.

Swindon Town.
Bourne; Dickinson, and Weston; Brown, Bew, and Archer; Davies, Petrie, Morris, Eddleston, and Thom.

The weather was dull and the ground in good condition, promising a fast and hard game. Swindon played in white jerseys and dark blue knickers. Charlton won the toss, and Morris set the ball rolling towards the St James's Road end. Bourne was called upon to save from Phoenix in the first minute, Purcell having showed his speed in the movement leading up to the shot. Swindon profited by a mistake by Pollard, and Thom took the ball well down before letting it go to Davies, who shot harmlessly outside. Exeter retaliated, and the ball went up to Parkin, who beat Dickinson and centred for Phoenix to head the ball into Bourne's hands. "Hands" by Weston enabled Purcell to place the ball into the goalmouth, but it was punched away by Bourne, and McDevitt's return volley sailed over the bar. At the other end, Morris, finding himself covered, swung the leather out to Thom, and the winger's centre was headed clear by Pool. Away raced the Exeter forwards, and Phoenix, who rushing style was un-nerving the Swindon backs, went through on his own, but was unable to beat Bourne. Phoenix's speed took him clear of the defence again, and Bourne came out to meet the danger and forced the City leader to shoot wide.

Charlton Scores for Exeter.
The Grecians were quicker on the ball than their opponents, and the Swindon backs were given very little respite. The spectators behind the Swindon goal, at the far end, had clamoured for penalties for "hands" on two occasions, but each time the referee ruled against it. Now, however, following a hotly fought melee six yards from the Swindon goalposts Dickinson brought the ball under control by the use of his arm, and the penalty decision was instantly made. Charlton, left-footed, scored with a powerful drive which cannoned off the under neath of the crossbar and sent it swinging, but the ball finished in the net all right. This goal was scored in the twenty-eighth minute, and was lustily cheered by the crowd, which numbered close on eight thousand. To the joy of the crowd Phoenix and Parkin, with clever headwork, took the ball right down the field. The move petered out, however, when Purcell miskicked and Walker shot wide. Exeter were at it again immediately, however, and Bourne dived full length to keep out a shot from the nimble Phoenix. When Swindon attacked Bailey saved under the bar from Morris, and Charlton rose
to head away from a shot by Petrie.

Second Half.
Phoenix nearly succeeded in a great solo attempt to force his way through, from a quick pass by Pool which threw the Railwaymens' defence out of position. The second goal of the match, and to the Grecians, was scored after twelve minutes, and the credit goes to Parkin, who slipped the ball across for Phoenix at five yards' range to tap it into the net. The Grecians were in confident and happy mood now, and midway through the second half they scored again, and placed the issue beyond all doubt. The Town defence was hopelessly beaten by the wiles of McDevitt and Purcell, and the big Irishman middled the ball so accurately that Phoenix simply had to incline his head, and thus steer it into the net. In the last minute Morris scored for Swindon Town.

SOUTHERN LEAGUE
SWINDON TOWN RESERVES 5
EXETER CITY RESERVES 1.

Exeter City Reserves were defeated by five goals to one at the Wiltshire County ground in a Southern League match by Swindon Town Reserves. Bailey (Swindon) opened the scoring after ten minutes, and Lievesley equalised before the interval. In the second half Beastall, J.Johnson (penalty for "hands" against Potter), and Beastall again obtained quick goals for Swindon, and five minutes from the end J.Johnson brought the home total up to five.

• EXETER CITY'S CUP TRAINING.
  The Exeter City club in their official programme today stated, with reference to next Saturday's F. A. Cup-tie with Accrington Stanley at St James's Park: "It is no exaggeration to say that this match must be won. The cup position now opens up new vistas to the Exeter club, and just as Swansea went on to the semi final after beating us last season, so can Exeter City go on this season. To see that the players receive every opportunity of entering the field fit and fresh they are being sent away to Weston on Wednesday until Saturday morning. This is a new departure for the club, but the men have had a very strenuous task during recent weeks, and in many cases they have had to play when probably not fit to do so."

AFTER THOUGHTS ON THE SWINDON MATCH.

Exeter City's brilliant and indeed sensational victory against the leaders of the Southern Section was a triumph of skill, and reflects great credit not only on the players, but on the team selectors, who, under the handicap of injuries and other disappointments, got together such a rich blend of experience, skill, and dash. Phoenix proved a most dashing and tireless leader of attack, and thanks to the cleverness of Walker and Mc Devitt, the wingers, Purcell and Parkin, were able to play great football. Good, at left half, also lived up to his name, and strengthened the team, for he played a consistently good game, and his play was highly meritorious. Nothing in the later stages of the game pleased the crowd more than the way in which Charlton got the better of Morris time after time. The Grecians' victory was complete, and the form shown in this match augurs well for next Saturday's Cup game with Accrington Stanley. Incidentally, Accrington Stanley were beaten twice at Christmas, by Durham City and Tranmere Rovers, but on Saturday defeated Chesterfield by two goals to one.


THURSDAY, JANUARY 6TH 1927.
LOVELL'S ATHLETIC BEAT THE CITY RESERVES 5-3.

Exeter City Reserves visited Newport in a Western League match, and gave a very good display, but were beaten by five goals to three, Randall being below form in goal. Lievesley, playing centre-forward, opened the scoring in the first minute, and Thompson quickly increased the City's lead, but between that time and the half time interval Lovell's scored four goals. Garratt was injured shortly before half time and had to retire, and although he returned for several minutes in the second half he was no more than a passenger, and soon went off again. The City Reserves, however, shaped strongly, and R.Hutchings, playing on the left wing, scored a smart goal. It looked odds on the Grecians getting the equaliser, but Lovell's broke away, and a centre from their right wing was unfortunately diverted by Randall to one of the home forwards, who netted what proved to be the last goal of the match. Miller was in splendid form for the City, giving a polished display; Lievesley, at centre forward, was in very lively mood, and Newman, outside right, was often in the picture with his well known skilful style of play.