A POOR GAME AT PLAINMOOR: WEAK SPOTS IN BOTH TEAMS
Dennington Is Badly Injured

Saturday, January 17th 1931.
TORQUAY UNITED 0 EXETER CITY 0.

Torquay:- Joe Wright; James Wright and Fowler; Phoenix, Hill, and Smith; Birkett, Clayson, Trotter, Hutchinson, and Bell.
Exeter:- Davies; Gray and Miller; Inglis, Dennington, Barber; Armfield, Purcell, Varco, Houghton, and Lister.
Referee: Mr F.W.Reeve, of Devonport.

The Torquay playing pitch was in a much more presentable state this afternoon for the "Devon Derby" than it was for the big Cup-tie replay between Bury and the Magpies on Wednesday afternoon. The turf had been rolled and sanded, but whereas on Wednesday the players had to contend with a frozen ground, to-day they had to battle against the overhead conditions, a high wind accompanied by heavy showers. The Great Western Railway excursion from Exeter was well patronised, and the Grecians' following sported their favourites' colours freely. Exeter were without Baugh, Clarke, and Doncaster as compared with their team which beat Derby County in the Cup. Torquay, who were beaten by Bury after an extra half an hour had been played on Wednesday, made many changes, the most notable being the absence through injury of Jack Butler, the former Arsenal centre-half. Hill, the old Millwall player, moved up from left back to fill the vacancy, and another change of particular interest was the inclusion of Phoenix, the ex - Grecian, at right half back. There were 6,000 spectators.

Little Was Seen of Exeter's Forwards.

Bell won the toss and Torquay had the advantage of the slope in the opening half. Torquay were the first to become dangerous but Trotter was checked by Miller on the edge of the City penalty area. When the City moved to the attack Purcell shot behind. Phoenix was applauded for good defensive covering, and in Torquay's next advance Trotter was halted by Dennington on the edge of Exeter's penalty area. Varco was fouled, and Inglis drove the free kick nicely into the home goal mouth, James Wright heading clear. At the other end Gray moved in nicely to rob Bell inside the City penalty area. So far very little had been seen of Exeter's forwards, play having run mostly in Torquay's favour. Birkett shot wildly over the bar from an easy position, and another Torquay raid was spoilt through Hutchinson getting offside. The City were now stirred into activity, and a cross-shot by Houghton was fielded by Joe Wright. There were two or three exciting incidents round the Exeter goal towards the end of the first half, and Birkett's quick centre to Hutchinson proved very troublesome to the City defence, who did not cover up with their customary promptitude. The Grecians were missing the regulars, Baugh and Clarke, and lacked their usual pace. Houghton after a beautiful dribble was brought down by Hill, and from Inglis's free kick Varco tested Joe Wright with a good header. Davies saved a forcing shot from Trotter, and at half time the score-sheet was still blank. Torquay were again the more aggressive side when play was resumed, and it was as well for Exeter that Miller was in his best form. Houghton thrilled the spectators with another classy dribble, but Varco was too slow to accept the final pass. From Armfield's centre a header by Houghton was saved by Wright. At last Exeter began to show something of their real form and were dominating the game. The phase was short-lived, however, and the proceedings continued very scrappy.

Dennington Injured.

An injury to Dennington, who was kicked on the knee, necessitated his removal from the field, Inglis moving to the pivotal position with Purcell at right half. Exeter's captain was one of the few men who had been playing well, and the City could ill-afford to lose him. With Torquay trying hard to press home an advantage Purcell made two timely clearances from the Exeter goalmouth. Exeter, however, all but scored when a header from Lister cannoned against the angle of the Torquay goal. The ball rebounded into play, Lister again heading in for Joe Wright to make a clever save. In the last few minutes Davies made two magnificent saves from Trotter, who was Torquay's best forward. The game taken all round was one of the poorest of the "Devon Derby" series. There were weak spots in both teams, and the work of the more efficient men suffered as a result. Exeter were just warming up to their task when they lost the services of Dennington, their captain, with a badly twisted knee. Miller, Houghton, and Davies were Exeter's best players.

Southern League
EXETER CITY RESERVES 3
TORQUAY UNITED RESERVES 2.

At St James's Park, Exeter, in boisterous weather. Exeter City Reserves, who have not been defeated for some months, were expected to strengthen the hold they have on championship honours in the Southern League this afternoon, as the outcome of a visit from Torquay United Reserves. Both sides included two amateurs, but Jimmy Gumm, Exeter's regular outside right, who is an amateur, was playing in the Southern Counties' Championship match at Tiverton, for Devon versus Somerset. Allison was absent from the home ranks, having suffered recently from knee trouble, but he has made a good recovery and will probably be in action again next week. There was a very meagre attendance, which was a poor tribute to easily the best reserve eleven ever to have represented Exeter City, although a number of the club's regular followers had made the short trip to Torquay. The Grecians did not reveal their customary confidence at the start, and with the wind causing the ball to play unexpected tricks, many passes took the wrong direction. The teams were:-
City Reserves:- Jones; Baugh and Shanks; Ditchburn, Angus, and Hill;
W.Ware, McCosh, Parsons, Halliday, and F. Courtney.
Torquay Reserves:-
Millsom; P.W.Beer and Tapp; Freer, Hewitt, and Weightman; Mackie, Fisher, G.H.Stabb, Keeling, and Waller.

The United forwards at the outset progressed by means of fast football, Jones having to drop quickly to save a direct shot from Keeling, low and hard. The City then tried to make ground on the left, but were beaten back, and when the visitors advanced again they opened the score. A nice centre from Waller saw Keeling and Jones both going for the ball, but neither got it, and Mackie, who had closed in, netted with ease. Only a clever interception by Hill prevented the United from adding to their lead, and at the other end McCosh drove over the bar. Contrary to expectations the United had been calling the tune, and their lead was well deserved. Indeed Stabb must have increased it had he timed properly a centre from Mackie which came right to him, but his shot was weak and badly directed. Waller could also have done better with a ball which he put wide of the Exeter goal. Exeter eventually got into their stride, and Millsom made a sensational save in the goalmouth from Courtney, the South Molton amateur. Two minutes before the interval Exeter equalised, Parsons shooting through from Ware's corner kick. The next corner, taken by Courtney, led to a second goal for the City. Parsons shot against the crossbar and from the rebound Halliday scored. Directly from the kick-off the City nearly got another, a brilliant drive by Halliday hitting the top of the crossbar and going out of play.

Half-time:
Exeter Reserves 2 Torquay Reserves 1.

McCosh and Ware combined cleverly, and from Ware's centre Parsons drove across the goalmouth. Then the United broke away and Weightman passed to Waller, who ran on to beat Jones with a high shot, thus equalising the score. With the teams once more on level terms Torquay played with renewed energy, and when Shanks conceded a corner needlessly the home goal was in further danger, for when Waller's corner kick came over Mackie shot against Jones's legs. The Grecians, for whom Ditchburn, Angus, and Hill were now holding the Torquay attack, soon regained the lead, Parsons getting between Beer and Tapp to score from close range. Exeter were definitely on top now, and Millsom was tested to the full by Ditchburn. Exeter, after a shaky opening, had now worn down the Magpies, whose chief asset was dash, and in the end were worthy winners. Parsons led the forward line with great determination, and Halliday's play was excellent.