EXETER CITY 1 BRISTOL CITY 1

Played at St James's Park, Exeter, on Saturday, March 5th 1927.

Exeter City had the "tit-bit" of the South today, apart from the Cup-ties, in the shape of a visit from Bristol City in a match for Southern Section points. Much rain during the last fortnight has adversely affected the playing pitch at St James's Park, and for this afternoon's important game the going was indeed heavy, and pools of water lay about the field. Bristol City, who beat the Grecians narrowly at Ashton Gate in October by 3-2, have built up a splendid match record, and at the moment hold a seven point lead over Brighton and Hove Albion at the head of the Section. Today's match was made particularly interesting also by the fact that Blackmore had to score only once to equal "Daisy" Bell's feat of obtaining twenty - three League goals in Exeter City's first professional season, away back in 1908/09. Exeter made several changes, the most notable being the return of Bailey, after a month's absence through illness, and the experiment of playing Miller, of the Reserves, at left-half-back. A large body of excursionists travelled down from Bristol to see the game, and there was a welcome touch of colour about the crowd, the red and white of the Grecians and the blue of the Babes being freely worn. There were eight thousand spectators present when the teams came out, the Babes being given a great reception from the Bristol folk. The showers continued until well into the afternoon, and a stiff breeze was blowing from end to end. Exeter occupied the St James's Road end, Charlton having won the toss.

Exeter City.
Bailey; Lowton, Charlton; Ditchburn, Pool, Miller; Purcell, McDevitt, Blackmore, Lievesley, and Compton.

Bristol City.
Coggins; J. Walsh, Glenn; Neesam, Wadsworth, Smailes; Gilhespy, Gray, T. Walsh, Keating, and Rankin.

Referee: Mr E.C.Sambrook, of Swansea.

Bristol took the initiative straight from the kick off, and scored a goal after six minutes, Bailey being caught in possession and charged into the net by Gray along with the ball. The second half opened in driving rain, and the Grecians equalised in the twelfth minute. Miller brought the ball forward several yards before putting Lievesley in possession. Blackmore then took over and raced goalwards to score with a great shot which Coggins could not meet. It was richly deserved on the play, and it brought Blackmore's tally level with "Daisy" Bell's record figure. It was not a great game. That would have been impossible in the conditions of the ground and weather, but it was a thrilling contest all the same between two very determined teams. 

Western League 
Bristol City v Exeter City Reserves 

The reserve teams of these clubs met in a Western League match at Ashton Gate, where Exeter were beaten 2-0.

Team:-Randall; Pollard and Potter; Pullan, Good, and Garratt; Newman, Thompson, Phoenix, Dent, and Parkin.


THE DEVON PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

City Finish Strongly and Defeat the Argyle:

Wednesday, March 9th, 1927, at St James's Park.

For the second time since the inception of the competition Exeter City today defeated Plymouth Argyle by three goals to one at St James's Park in the final of the Devon Professional Championship.

Exeter City:
Randall; Lowton and Charlton; Ditchburn, Pool, and Miller; Purcell, McDevitt, Blackmore, Dent, and Compton.

Argyle : Craig; Russell, and Titmuss;
Logan, McKenzie, and Smith; Matthews, Sloan, Forbes, Leslie, and Black.

Referee: Mr C.F.Moon, of Bristol.

The game opened quietly, but warmed up considerably during the closing stages, when the City had the Argyle more or less on the run. In the first fifteen minutes Craig saved from Compton, and Randall, who was the busier of the two goalkeepers in the opening half, from Leslie and Matthews. Black with a shot from fifteen yards hit the post. These were the only incidents of note until fifteen minutes before the interval, when, from throw in taken by Ditchburn, the ball was somewhat luckily hooked into the Argyle net by Blackmore, just out of Craig's reach.

Within five minutes of the resumption Exeter improved their position, Purcell converting a centre from Compton. Both teams then quickened their pace, and eventually an error of judgment by Randall enabled the Argyle to reduce the arrears. Under pressure, Charlton gave away a corner, which was taken by Matthews. Randall was drawn out of his goal in an unsuccessful attempt to clear, and Forbes promptly headed the ball home. The pace further quickened, and Plymouth played hard for the equaliser. With twelve minutes left Pool was injured, and changed places with Purcell. The changes did not reduce the City's effectiveness, however, and just before the end a short pass back by Russell to Craig was intercepted by Dent, who rushed the ball into the net.

Spooner Cup Won by Plymouth Argyle.

The Argyle Reserves defeated Exeter City Reserves by four goals to two in the final of the Spooner Cup, at Home Park. Walker scored for Exeter, but in the next minute Demellweek, the Devon County amateur, equalised, and Mays then placed the Argyle in the lead. In the second half Demellweek scored twice, and Lievesley replied for the City.