GREAT "DEVON DERBY" AT EXETER

Exeter City v Plymouth Argyle

Saturday, March 1st 1930.

The City v Argyle

All Roads Lead to St James's Park

Exeter City were a happy club round about three o'clock this afternoon. The best weather of the season coincided perfectly with the match of the season and the great all-Devon trek to St James's Park for the return Football League  match between the Grecians and Plymouth Argyle was proving as big a thing a even the most sanguine had anticipated.

Fourteen thousand people, there or thereabouts, had already taken up the stations around the playing field, and there were queues outside each of the turnstiles, and the crowds were still streaming towards the ground from every  quarter. And it was still half an hour before the time of the kick-off. The Great Western Railway ran three excursion trains from Plymouth to Exeter for the occasion, and these travellers, coupled with other trippers from the wide area of Devon served by the line, made up a total of about three thousand football enthusiasts conveyed to Exeter by the G. W. R. for the Devon Derby. The Southern Railway also brought in large crowds of people for the match the road traffic by 'bus and car throughout the morning and early afternoon from West Devon was phenomenal. It was estimated by Plymouth people that fully 6,000 Argyle supporters had migrated from the one city to the other to see the great game. Club colours were freely sported by the Plymouth contingent, at least one of whom carried black and green sunshade. Concertinas, bells, and other noisy instruments "helped" the Exeter City Band to enliven the time of waiting, and there were songs being sung on the popular bank. Speculation was rife as to whether or not Plymouth Argyle, the candidates for promotion, were paying their last visit to St James's Park today on League business, or whether they would again lose the prize in the hectic closing days of the campaign. The sun blazed down benignly on everything and everybody, and the field looked to be in excellent trim. The Argyle had Vidler at centre-forward in place of Bowden, who was injured, but apart from this alteration the teams were as last Saturday, namely:

EXETER CITY: Alderson; Gray Shanks;
Clarke Mason Dennington; Purcell McDevitt Guyan Houghton Hemingway

Referee:- Mr A.J.Attwood, of Newport.

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE: Craig; Bland Titmuss ; Mackay McKenzie Hardie; Grozier Sloan Vidler Leslie Blackmore

Among other points of vantage seized on by the more adventurous spirits was the roof of the shelter on the popular bank. Four men managed to get on top of this before the police made them get down. Craig led out the Argyle team at 3.25 p.m., amid hearty cheering, which was followed by the singing of "Play Up Argyle," to the tune of the Pompey Chimes. Many people who had arrived by car and had not bothered to purchase grandstand seats found only standing room available, and when the Exeter City team, with Mason leading, cantered on to the playing field the crowd must have been at least sixteen thousand. Mason and Craig, the respective captains, and the tallest players on view with the exception of Alderson met on the centre line to settle the choice of ends, and Mason, winning the toss, decided that the City should play towards the St James's Road end, thus facing the sun in the opening half.

EXETER STARTED AT TOP SPEED.

Gray made a couple of useful clearances and then the Exeter right wing was held up by Hardie. McDevitt and Houghton then initiated a lightning attack, Guyan swinging the ball out to Purcell, who was quicker than Titmuss, and who centred right across the face of the Argyle goal, the ball going behind. Exeter had started at top speed but the Argyle were very steady. Hemingway attempted to force the ball past Mackay the latter's boot caught him in the ribs, and he had to go off the field for treatment. This was only two minutes after the start, but the dapper little Grecian quickly resumed. Some little time passed before the Argyle looked like threatening the Exeter goal, and then Shanks neatly intercepted a pass from Black, intended for Vidler. Clarke's speed and firm tackling were proving very useful, and Mason was a strong pivot whenever Plymouth looked dangerous. Leslie was persistent, but was being closely watched.

EXETER KEEPING UP THE PRESSURE.

The Grecians advanced with a strong rush on the left, and a centre to Guyan was headed over the bar. Then McDevitt and Houghton by clever combination got the Plymouth defence on the run, and when Purcell fired the ball in Craig had difficulty in clearing because of the challenge of Guyan. When the ball was kicked up the field Vidler was penalised for a foul on Clarke. In every department the City were playing well, and so far the Argyle were not very much in the game, apart from defending. Guyan was hurt in a collision with Craig, but resumed after a brief stoppage for attention from Ed. Jones. Nearly half an hour had passed before the Argyle delivered their first shot,  and Alderson saved easily from Black.

BOWDEN MISSED.

It was clear that the Argyle were missing Bowden, their regular centre forward. Vidler was unable to control the ball quickly enough to be effective, and the home backs were never in difficulty until Grozier, receiving a beautiful wide pass out on the touchline, headed the ball past Shanks and let Sloan carry on the move, while he himself ran into the middle. The centre from Sloan came in almost from the corner flag right to the goalmouth. The ball was travelling fast, and all Alderson could do was to fist it up and over the bar. The corner was cleared by Dennington, and Houghton then took play to the other end with all his customary skill. Play had been in progress for 34 minutes when Exeter took the lead in the most astounding fashion. Houghton was fouled near the half-way line, and close to touch. Shanks took the free kick and drove powerfully towards goal. Guyan darted forward to challenge Craig, and the goalkeeper, with one eye on the shot from Shanks and the other on the burly figure of Guyan, absolutely missed the ball, which bounced into the net. 
It was in fact almost a replica of the goal scored by Menzies for Leeds United in the F.A.Cup-tie just over a year ago, and from exactly the same spot. This time, however, the difference was that the goal was scored by Exeter, and not against them, and such a roar of cheering rent the air as has not been heard at St James's Park for many months!

McDEVITT S POLICY.

A series of The Grecians, made happy by this pleasing gift of the gods, shaped with every confidence in the ensuing play, and Craig was soon busy again. free kicks against certain of the Pilgrims for foul tactics in midfield were too numerous to do them credit, and McDevitt's policy of keeping the game open was proving none too healty for the visiting defenders, who had to do a great deal of running about. Black once had a shooting chance in a breakaway, but he tripped over the ball and fell down in the penalty area. Right on half-time a fast and exciting raid by Purcell and Guyan carried play to the goal line, and from Purcell's centre Houghton burst between the backs with the ball at his toes, but fired it over the goal, and a great "Oooooh" went up from the crowd.

Half-time:
Exeter City 1 Plymouth Argyle 0.

SECOND HALF.

The Grecians richly deserved their lead. All through the first half they were the livelier and the more methodical team, as the Argyle defence would be the first to admit. Bland, Craig, and Titmuss had indeed had a gruelling time of it. When the teams returned to the field it was seen that Hemingway's left hand was heavily bandaged. Craig showed much annoyance when he was charged by Hemingway whilst clearing from Purcell. A free kick was awarded the Argyle, and straightway they raced to the Exeter end where Vidler sent in a glorious shot just under the bar. It was punched over by Alderson in his amazingly calm and un flurried manner. The corner, perfectly placed by Black, led to a very lively skirmish in front of the Exeter goal, Gray eventually clearing. Houghton lost the ball trying to beat one man too many, but the City pressed again, a shot by Clarke being tipped over the bar by Craig. Plymouth were playing the same fast game as the City now, and their forwards were much brighter and more dangerous than they had been before the interval.

THE ARGYLE'S EQUALISER.

Grozier and Black were in their most determined mood, Alderson having to save from each of them. There was next a sensational incident in the City penalty area, when in another Argyle attack Vidler steered the ball wide of Alderson and a goal seemed certain. The ball, however, hit the post and rolled across the goal-line, to be met by Gray, who cautiously steered it out of danger. The referee was surrounder by a group of Argyle players, who claimed a goal, but he waved play on without consulting the linesman. When the second half was twenty minutes old the Pilgrims equalised. A gap was found in the Exeter defence, and from the half-way line Vidler and Black took the ball through at a fast pace with the whole Exeter defence trailing behind them. Alderson hesitated, and while he was in two minds whether or not to try to capture the ball Black passed to Vidler, who netted a very simple goal.

PLYMOUTH ENCOURAGED.

This goal had its effect on the play of the rival teams. Plymouth, encouraged by their success, redoubled their efforts and speeded up even more. The City defence became unsteady, and a series of scrambling clearances looked rather ominous. Exeter were also handicapped by the fact that Hemingway was playing with some difficulty, a series of hard knocks having taken some effect. A powerful drive by Black was punched out by Alderson, and from a free - kick near the Exeter penalty area Grozier tried a header which went wide. The play ran as much in the Exeter half of the field now as it did formerly in the Argyle's, and Alderson was called upon repeatedly. The Pilgrims were now showing their class, and their strength, and it was easy to understand why they have only lost two matches all the season. Craig intercepted and cleared a nice shot from Purcell, and at the other end Gray saved Exeter with a great tackle on Black and a clearance almost on the goal-line.

Result:-
Exeter City 1 Plymouth Argyle 1.

There was a great deal of strenuous striving, productive of a high number of
stirring and exciting situations. Individual work, as well as team play, found numerous opportunities for ex pression. But the men were too strained by the importance of the occasion to appear at their best, and in the first half, when Exeter were on top, the play was cut up too much by free kicks for infringements, mostly due to the keenness of the rivalry. This point may prove invaluable to Plymouth Argyle in their promotion effort. They certainly proved today that they are a very hard team to beat. Houghton for Exeter, and Black for Plymouth, were the outstanding individual players.

Southern League
ARGYLE RESERVES 3
CITY RESERVES 1.

Southern League match at Home Park, Plymouth. The Argyle took the lead in the fifth minute, Richards netting with a good shot from Healy's centre. At this stage Plymouth were the more aggressive side, building up some strong attacks, but their final passes were often out of reach. At the other end Henderson was checked by Thompson before he could shoot. The
Pilgrims attacked again, but Voden held on to the ball too long, allowing the City defence to get into position. Exeter's attack was by no means poor, and Russell and Thompson were given a harrassing time in the Plymouth defence. Seven minutes from the interval Plymouth increased their lead, Richards from Borley's pass giving Holland no chance. Thomas scored for the City with a well placed header.
Half-time:
Argyle Reserves 2 City Reserves 1.

Second Half.

The Exeter forwards seemed unable to get into their stride in this half, and early play favoured the Argyle. Varco, who was feeling the effect of his injury, went to outside right, Gumm taking up the centre forward position. Holland saved a penalty kick, taken by Fellowes for a foul on himself. Healy scored the Argyle's third goal, and Pullen made a good attempt with a drive from about forty yards, the ball going just over the crossbar.

Torquay United v Exeter City
FRIENDLY MATCH AT PLAINMOOR Exeter City Outplay the Magpies

Wednesday, March 5th 1930.

TORQUAY UNITED 0
EXETER CITY 3  (Guyan Hemingway Purcell)

Half-time 0-1.

Torquay United: Bayes; Fowler and Corbett; Freer, Cann, and Bruce; Mercer, Hill, Pointon, Robinson, and Martin.
Exeter City: Alderson; Gray and Shanks; Clarke, Mason, and Dennington; Purcell, McDevitt, Guyan, Houghton, and Hemingway.

Two months ago Exeter City promised to send their best team to Torquay to play the United in a special friendly match, the proceeds of which would go towards the cost of repairing the grandstand at Plainmoor, the structure having been badly damaged in the gales of the winter. The match came off on Wednesday afternoon, the kick off being delayed till 4.15 p.m., in order to secure as large an attendance as possible. Guyan opened the scoring with a clever hook shot, and directly after half time Hemingway increased Exeter's lead. A few minutes later Torquay lost the services of Bruce, who damaged his knee, and towards the end Purcell netted with a tremendous full-blooded drive from outside the penalty area, the ball hitting the base of the cross-bar and skidding into the net.

NO EXCITEMENT AT PLAINMOOR.

Not anticipating excitement from a "friendly," the spectators were visited by no pangs of disappointment because there was none. But even in a non competitive game a team should at least adopt a reasonable attacking plan, and the desire to get goals should be stronger than was the case with the Torquay forwards in this match. If the spectators are to be entertained then these things must apply. Exeter City's Directors were good enough to send the full Third Division eleven to Torquay for this encounter, arranged to swell the United's fund for the cost of repairs to the grand-stand, and that team did practically the whole of the entertaining. Torquay were handicapped in the second half by the retirement of Bruce, who had been playing well enough to make his presence felt very keenly in the half-back line. Despite this Torquay should unquestionably have scored at least one goal, but the play of the forwards generally indicated that no-one was exerting himself unduly. Pointon received very little support, and was left quite often to his own devices, but was reluctant to shoot even when opportunity presented itself. The combination between Mercer and Hill was pretty to watch, but it would have achieved more if Mercer had closed in more frequently and tried a shot instead of lobbing in beautiful centres for the tall Alderson to catch. Martin was also affected by the "old" style, but he appeared to be in the throes of an off-day. Proof that wingers are net-finders in modern football was furnished by the fact Hemingway and Purcell both scored. The City were workmanlike in their methods and played a very neat game.
Attendance 1,792, receipts £77.

Thursday, March 6th 1930.
BATH CITY 3
EXETER CITY RESERVES 3.

Exeter City Reserves divided the points at Lambridge on Thursday afternoon, and the score of three goals all could not be squared by Bath until almost the end of the match, and twice Bath were in arrears.

Bath City: Slocombe; Hicks, Rotherham; Neesam, Waite, Coleman; Bird, Walker, Thompson, Jefferies, and Compton.

Exeter City:- Holland; Howson, Miller; Hill, Ditchburn, Gurkin; Ware, Sheffield, Gumm, Thomas, and Hutchings.

After ten minutes Gumm opened the scoring for the Grecians, and 15 minutes later Compton headed the equaliser, it being his 26th goal of the season. At half-time the teams were level at one goal all. Twelve minutes after the interval Thompson converted a centre by Compton to give the home side the lead. Sixteen minutes from the end Thomas equalised, and within a minute he had given Exeter the lead again, breaking through smartly on his own. Walker, like Compton, an old "Grecian," made the scores level four minutes from the end, beating Holland in a race for the ball and damaging his knee in the process.

Exeter's Fast Raiders. 
Bath had more of the play in the territorial sense but were not so dangerous as the City Reserves, whose forwards, especially Gumm, Thomas, and Hutchings were fast and bustling raiders. They were well supported by a sound defence, in which Ditchburn and Miller were the best. Apart from Compton the Bath forwards were very slow.