Match 34
14th February 1931
FA Cup Fifth Round
Leeds United (h)
City winning their way to Wembley
Leeds Outplayed at St. James’s Park
Magnificent football played by Exeter City
Saturday, February 14th, 1931
The F.A. Cup Fifth Round.
EXETER CITY 3-1 LEEDS UNITED
HALF-TIME 2–0.
Purcell scored for Exeter City in 13 minutes,
Armfield scored for Exeter City in 45 minutes,
Armfield scored for Exeter City in 53 minutes,
Mitchell scored for Leeds United in 84 minutes.
For the third time this season Exeter City were at home today in a Football Association Cup Tie, their opponents being Leeds United.
Having beaten Derby County at Exeter and Bury at Gigg Lane on their way to the present stage of the competition, the City club richly deserved their good fortune in being drawn at home in the fifth round, a stroke of luck which was doubly gratifying because the Grecians have never before gone so far in the great knock-out tournament.
Exeter, to reach the fifth round, have played more matches than any of the other fifteen clubs engaged in the Cup today, the other Third Division teams, Watford and Southport, having won their four previous ties at the first time of trying, whereas to beat Coventry City the Grecians had to re-play in the Midlands. Following are the Cup records of the rival clubs at the Park today.
EXETER CITY
Northfleet (away) won 3-0
Coventry (home) drew 1-1
Coventry (away) won 2-1
Derby County (home) won 3-2
Bury (away) won 2-1
LEEDS UNITED
Huddersfield Town (home) won 2-0
Newcastle United (home) won 4-1
Leeds United have never won their way into round six of the Cup, so that today’s tie must mean a new club record being set up by the winning team. The City approached today’s contest with quiet confidence in their ability to succeed. No special training was undertaken, the players spending the week in light but effective preparation. At no time in the club’s history have the Grecians been playing better football than in the last two games in the League. Leeds United, who arrived at the Ever-Faithful last evening, and spent the night at the Rougemont Hotel, are as much concerned with the preservation of their First Division status as they are with further Cup progress. They regarded today’s tie as the most open on the list, and were of the opinion that the match result would turn on the scoring of the first goal.
Dennington’s knee being unsound still, there was no question of making any change from the Exeter City team which beat Bury in Lancashire.
Leeds played Hydes at centre forward in their opening cup-tie and Keetley in their second match. Today they preferred Hydes again. He is a native of Barnsley and joined Leeds from Ardsley Athletic shortly afterwards causing a sensation by the scoring of no fewer than sixteen goals in three matches for the Reserves. He is of average height and weight, a robust and skilful player, and is easily discernible on the field by reason of having ginger hair. The teams were:-
EXETER CITY (RED & WHITE)
Davies, Baugh, Miller, Clarke, Angus, Barber, Armfield, Purcell, Varco, Houghton, Doncaster
Referee: – Mr G. Stevenson of Liverpool.
Linesmen: – Mr W. J. Rogers of Yeovil, and F. J. Lowe of Bristol.
Captains: – Miller (Exeter) and Hart (Leeds).
LEEDS UNITED (WHITE, BLUE KNICKERS)
Potts, Mitchell, Wainscoat, Hydes, Furness, Turnbull, Copping, Hart, Edwards, G. Milburn, J. Milburn
Rainy weather during the week had left the playing pitch in a soft and muddy state, but the sun shone warmly all the morning, promising ideal conditions for the great match. Soccer enthusiasts began to pour into the city before noon, by which hour there were several hundreds of people waiting outside the entrances to the City ground, both in St James’s Road and Well Street, for the opening of the gates.
A brisk business was done by the vendors of the City colours, while a small band of excursionists who had made the long journey from Leeds to cheer on the visiting side were gaily decorated in the blue and white of the United’s uniform.
Representatives of the Leeds United club attended at St James’s Park in the course of the morning, and inspected the playing pitch, just as they did two years ago, when in a third round Cup-tie the teams drew 2- 2, and Exeter were beaten in the replay 5–1. The Exeter City directors, officials, and players lunched together at Deller’s.
Mr M.J. McGahey, the Chairman of the City club, is Deputy Mayor of Exeter this year, and for today’s match invitations were extended to the Mayor and the Sheriff (Messrs C. Warren and J.W. Ackroyd) and other prominent citizens. Sir Robert Newman, Bart., M. P., Mr Arthur Reed, the prospective Conservative candidate for Exeter, and Mr Harvey Moore, the Labour candidate, were also among those who accepted invitations to the match. By two o’clock there were fully 12,000 people inside the ground, and it was about that time that Dido, the famous old seagull mascot, made his first visit overhead. The appearance of the bird was the signal for a great outburst of cheering, and the crowd thereafter greeted the gull with great enthusiasm every time he flew over the ground. The City’s arrangements for accommodating the large crowd were working perfectly, the spectators being packed closely together on both the popular banks, where they enjoyed the glorious sunshine.
Messages and a Valentine.
The match officials and the Leeds players also came out onto the field and sunned themselves before changing for the game.
Among the many telegrams of good wishes received by the City club and players were messages from Lowton, Bastin, Hemingway and Phoenix and several other former Grecians, from Derby County supporters, Brighton and Hove, Truro City, Taunton Town, Exeter Y.M.C.A., and other football clubs, and there was one message which read: “ May your Valentine be four goals to nil.”
To the great joy of the juveniles they were permitted to climb over the fence behind the goal at the east end of the ground, and therefore see the match from inside the railings.
Just before the teams came out the Exeter City Military Band, under the conductorship of Mr George Newman, played the popular song of the moment, – “There’s a Good Time Coming.”
Leeds United came out first, and this time instead of the blue and white stripes they wore white shirts and dark blue knickers. Exeter City followed a moment later to a great roar of cheering from the huge crowd. Miller won the toss and lined the City up at the St James’s Road end with the advantage of sun and wind in the opening half.
Smart Attacking by Leeds.
Houghton robbed Edwards neatly and the City moved to the attack, but George Milburn made a lightning interception. Exeter kept play at the Leeds end for a time, but a good kick by Potts travelled two-thirds the length of the field and Miller passed back for Davies to clear. Miller was very cool and sure of himself.
Edwards was fouled by Houghton at the half-way line, and following the free-kick Hart gained possession but shot wide. There followed some smart attacking by Leeds in which Edwards was prominent, and Turnbull and Mitchell each centred dangerously. The City defence, however, was equal to all demands. Leeds in their next advance forced a corner but Turnbull’s centre presented no difficulty, and the Grecians led by Houghton went to the other end in a sparkling attack. Some splendid work by Purcell, who beat two opponents by the penalty line, threatened danger to Leeds, but they forced Exeter back to their own half again.
Thirteen minutes after the start the Grecians scored. Houghton took the ball up the left wing in his inimitable style, hurdling over the outstretched leg of Edwards and beating two more men on the way with neat straight-ahead passes and himself slipping around his challenger. He then swung the ball over to the middle, his beautifully directed centre catching the defenders in two minds as to who should make the clearance. Purcell was left with a clear opening, and he took the ball on for five yards and then beat Potts as he pleased with a first-rate shot, right footed, into the top of the net.
A tremendous tumult of cheering showed what the crowd thought about it, and with the encouragement of that early goal the Grecians settled down to play scientific football at a fast pace. Indeed, at this stage, a neutral observer would have thought that Exeter and not Leeds were the First League team.
Armfield lead another dangerous City movement, his centre being well taken by Varco, who gave Potts a warm shot to save.
Leeds retaliated, and following the corner taken by Mitchell the ball went to Wainscoat, who tested Davies with a hard shot.
The attendance by now must have been very near the 20,000 mark, and the sun was at this point hidden by clouds.
Wainscoat Offside.
A free kick to Leeds 25 yards from the Exeter goal looked ominous, but the ground shot by Hart was parried by Baugh, and from Houghton’s pass to Varco the ball was sent strongly up the wing for Armfield to break away. Armfield centred too close to Potts, who cleared without difficulty,
Fine play by Edwards placed Leeds on the attack, and when Edwards moved up among the forwards and crossed the ball neatly it was headed into the Exeter net by Wainscoat. He was ruled offside, however, and when Leeds next pressed Wainscoat headed over the bar.
Half an hour had passed, and the play was proceeding on fairly even lines, with Exeter appearing the more confident side. The famous Leeds United half back line was however living up to its reputation, particularly the veteran Edwards, who was always in the thick of the fray and was playing with the energy and enthusiasm of a 21-year-old.
Doncaster came into the picture with a brilliant dribble up the left wing and when he was brought down in the corner of the Leeds penalty area by one of the Milburns the crowd expected the referee to award Exeter a penalty kick for tripping, but this expectation was not realised.
Exeter attacked speedily now, and when Armfield was “sandwiched” a free kick was given them. Clarke, however, drove the ball over the goal and into the crowd on the end bank. Miller and Baugh were in grand form for Exeter, and when the City were awarded another free kick for a foul Miller’s splendidly placed effort lead to a series of headers in the Leeds penalty area, the ball being eventually gathered by Potts and cleared.
Exeter’s Second Goal.
Other spirited attacks by the City followed, and Purcell, meeting a corner by Doncaster, headed the ball strongly past the wrong side of the post. Purcell in another fine Exeter attack scented a shooting chance, and his determined shot from 25 yards whistled inches wide of the upright at lightning speed.
When Leeds attacked Miller was beating Turnbull every time, to the delight of the spectators, the City captain’s speciality being to hold off tackling his opponent and forcing him into a position from which it was impossible to centre the ball. Miller at the appropriate moment would then move in quickly and secure possession. From one of Miller’s clearances the ball cannoned into touch off one of the Leeds players well upfield by the trees. It was almost half-time, and from Barber’s throw-in Houghton coolly took the ball through a bunch of opponents and centred neatly and sharply along the ground. From the opposite wing Armfield darted in and ran the ball into the Leeds net. The whistle blew for the goal and the half-time interval, amid tremendous scenes of excitement all round the ground.
Second Half.
Leeds went all out for a snap goal when the game was restarted. Edwards sent Mitchell away with a lovely cross-field pass, and the winger rounded Baugh and centred to Hydes, whose header travelled past the upright and out of play. Doncaster thereupon took the ball to the other end in a fast run, but drove straight at the goalkeeper, who saved without difficulty.
Armfield dispossessed Copping and centred for Houghton to head strongly into the goalmouth, Potts saving well.
Exeter kept up the pressure and a shot from Barber whistled over the Leeds crossbar. The City forwards, inspired by the grand play of Houghton, Purcell and others, were dangerous every time they got on the move, and the second half was only eight minutes old when a sweeping all-out attack finished up with Armfield scoring a third goal for the Grecians.
Varco with fine judgement found the right winger with a beautiful pass along the floor, and the speedy Armfield coolly beat J. Milburn before placing a low cross shot into the far corner of the net, out of Potts’s reach.
With three goals “in the bag” and little over half an hour remaining victory for the gallant Grecians was now in sight, and every attack by the City, of which there were many, was cheered to the echo by the delighted spectators.
Grecians Right on Top of their Form.
A halt was called for an injury to Baugh who was momentarily stunned in a collision with Hydes. The Grecians were now right on top of their form, and met coolly and confidently the strenuous efforts of the Leeds men to force the pace. Exeter in fact were equal to any pace the United could bring out, and the home players all appeared to be contesting the game well within the range of their capabilities.
There was not a single weak spot in the City team from goalkeeper to outside left, and the great crowd of spectators fairly revelled in the game.
At one point there was a regular bombardment of the Leeds goal, shot after shot being parried, and Potts being kept in a state of high tension.
Leeds had a very fortunate escape when a cleverly placed centre by Doncaster was met by Varco with a header which hopped narrowly over the bar.
Houghton and Doncaster showed their paces once again in classic fashion, and G. Milburn had to put in some dashing and desperate work to get in touch with the ball. Another centre by Armfield caused a dangerous situation, but Hart headed the ball behind to prevent Doncaster from netting.
Leeds were tiring rapidly and now appeared to be a beaten side. The Grecians were indisputably in charge of the situation, and “on top” in every phase of the play. In a rare Leeds attack Davies saved easily from Furness. Exeter now eased up slightly, and they were fortunate to escape a penalty decision when Baugh patted the ball down with his hand as Mitchell took it past him. More stirring moves by the City forwards followed, and the Leeds defence was very hotly engaged. They were nevertheless unlucky when Turnbull for once beat Miller and centred, the ball being headed against the City bar by Wainscoat. The rebound went to Hydes, whose shot was saved by Davies.
In the closing chapter it was again nearly all Exeter, and Potts saved his side repeatedly from falling further into arrears.
Miller’s brilliant defence was a grand feature, whilst Clarke, Barber, and the youthful Angus were all playing as strongly as ever.
Six minutes before the end Leeds scored through Mitchell. Turnbull secured possession on the Leeds right wing and centred. Baugh tried to throw Hydes offside, but the ball missed Hydes and went to Mitchell, who had a clear run and beat Davies with a ground shot at close quarters.
Exeter attacked again, and in the closing minute Leeds broke away, a header by Wainscoat being gloriously saved by Davies.
Comments.
It was another great and memorable day for the Grecians. They said they could do it, and they have done it, in grand style. The score did not flatter the City in the slightest. They were the stronger and better side throughout the match, and at times Leeds were completely outplayed.
Leeds owed a great deal to their brilliant half backs, and Edwards most of all, especially in the first half, but the trio could not keep on shouldering the whole burden for the entire 90 minutes.
Exeter City played a simply magnificent game of football against their First Division opponents, and moved from strength to strength. It was easily their most impressive game of the Cup series, and never for a single moment did they look likely to be beaten. There was always danger ahead for Leeds when the City forwards got on the move, and Houghton’s genius again proved to be a match-winning asset. The results of all the fifth round ties were: –
Barnsley 1Wolverhampton Wanderers 3
Birmingham 3 Watford 0
Chelsea 3Blackburn Rovers0
Everton 5 Grimsby town 3
Exeter City 3 Leeds United 1
Portsmouth 0 West Bromwich Albion 1
Southport 1 Bradford Park Avenue 0
Sunderland 2 Sheffield United 1
So the survivors now, along with Exeter City, are the Wolves (captained by Wilf Lowton), Birmingham, Chelsea, Everton, West Bromwich, Southport, and Sunderland. The draw for the sixth round will be made on Monday.
Interview With the Captains.
The official “gate” returns at St James’s Park are: attendance 19,130, and receipts £2,308. 7s. 6d.
Scenes of tremendous and unprecedented enthusiasm followed quickly on the final whistle, and there was much patting of backs and shaking of hands as the officials and players walked from the field, surrounded by hundreds of people who had jumped over the railings.
Interviewed by the “Express and Echo” in the Exeter dressing room after the match, Charlie Miller, the Grecians’ captain said: “It was a very good game and the hardest we have had so far. It was a clean game, too. We were really the better team, but Leeds were good lot of sportsmen and they took their defeat very well indeed.”
“Now we are ready for somebody else,” said Miller, laughingly. “All the boys are feeling very fresh and fit. We have great hopes of going to Wembley, in fact wonderful hopes. Tell the Exeter people to book their seats for the Cup Final!”
The Chairman of the Leeds United club was absent in London on Parliamentary business (he is a member of the House of Commons), but the Vice - Chairman Mr J.F. Tipton, and several of the visiting Directors entered the Exeter dressing room and warmly congratulated Miller and the other Grecians. The Leeds officials stated frankly that the City thoroughly deserved to win.
Mr M.J. McGahey, the Exeter City Chairman visited the Leeds dressing room, and shook hands with Hart, and complimented the United team on their play and their good sportsmanship.
Hart, the Leeds United International captain, declared in an interview that the City played a good and hard game, and also a sporting game. He accorded his congratulations to the City and wished them further luck in the Cup.
Leeds Outplayed at St. James’s Park
Magnificent football played by Exeter City
Saturday, February 14th, 1931
The F.A. Cup Fifth Round.
EXETER CITY 3-1 LEEDS UNITED
HALF-TIME 2–0.
Purcell scored for Exeter City in 13 minutes,
Armfield scored for Exeter City in 45 minutes,
Armfield scored for Exeter City in 53 minutes,
Mitchell scored for Leeds United in 84 minutes.
For the third time this season Exeter City were at home today in a Football Association Cup Tie, their opponents being Leeds United.
Having beaten Derby County at Exeter and Bury at Gigg Lane on their way to the present stage of the competition, the City club richly deserved their good fortune in being drawn at home in the fifth round, a stroke of luck which was doubly gratifying because the Grecians have never before gone so far in the great knock-out tournament.
Exeter, to reach the fifth round, have played more matches than any of the other fifteen clubs engaged in the Cup today, the other Third Division teams, Watford and Southport, having won their four previous ties at the first time of trying, whereas to beat Coventry City the Grecians had to re-play in the Midlands. Following are the Cup records of the rival clubs at the Park today.
EXETER CITY
Northfleet (away) won 3-0
Coventry (home) drew 1-1
Coventry (away) won 2-1
Derby County (home) won 3-2
Bury (away) won 2-1
LEEDS UNITED
Huddersfield Town (home) won 2-0
Newcastle United (home) won 4-1
Leeds United have never won their way into round six of the Cup, so that today’s tie must mean a new club record being set up by the winning team. The City approached today’s contest with quiet confidence in their ability to succeed. No special training was undertaken, the players spending the week in light but effective preparation. At no time in the club’s history have the Grecians been playing better football than in the last two games in the League. Leeds United, who arrived at the Ever-Faithful last evening, and spent the night at the Rougemont Hotel, are as much concerned with the preservation of their First Division status as they are with further Cup progress. They regarded today’s tie as the most open on the list, and were of the opinion that the match result would turn on the scoring of the first goal.
Dennington’s knee being unsound still, there was no question of making any change from the Exeter City team which beat Bury in Lancashire.
Leeds played Hydes at centre forward in their opening cup-tie and Keetley in their second match. Today they preferred Hydes again. He is a native of Barnsley and joined Leeds from Ardsley Athletic shortly afterwards causing a sensation by the scoring of no fewer than sixteen goals in three matches for the Reserves. He is of average height and weight, a robust and skilful player, and is easily discernible on the field by reason of having ginger hair. The teams were:-
EXETER CITY (RED & WHITE)
Davies, Baugh, Miller, Clarke, Angus, Barber, Armfield, Purcell, Varco, Houghton, Doncaster
Referee: – Mr G. Stevenson of Liverpool.
Linesmen: – Mr W. J. Rogers of Yeovil, and F. J. Lowe of Bristol.
Captains: – Miller (Exeter) and Hart (Leeds).
LEEDS UNITED (WHITE, BLUE KNICKERS)
Potts, Mitchell, Wainscoat, Hydes, Furness, Turnbull, Copping, Hart, Edwards, G. Milburn, J. Milburn
Rainy weather during the week had left the playing pitch in a soft and muddy state, but the sun shone warmly all the morning, promising ideal conditions for the great match. Soccer enthusiasts began to pour into the city before noon, by which hour there were several hundreds of people waiting outside the entrances to the City ground, both in St James’s Road and Well Street, for the opening of the gates.
A brisk business was done by the vendors of the City colours, while a small band of excursionists who had made the long journey from Leeds to cheer on the visiting side were gaily decorated in the blue and white of the United’s uniform.
Representatives of the Leeds United club attended at St James’s Park in the course of the morning, and inspected the playing pitch, just as they did two years ago, when in a third round Cup-tie the teams drew 2- 2, and Exeter were beaten in the replay 5–1. The Exeter City directors, officials, and players lunched together at Deller’s.
Mr M.J. McGahey, the Chairman of the City club, is Deputy Mayor of Exeter this year, and for today’s match invitations were extended to the Mayor and the Sheriff (Messrs C. Warren and J.W. Ackroyd) and other prominent citizens. Sir Robert Newman, Bart., M. P., Mr Arthur Reed, the prospective Conservative candidate for Exeter, and Mr Harvey Moore, the Labour candidate, were also among those who accepted invitations to the match. By two o’clock there were fully 12,000 people inside the ground, and it was about that time that Dido, the famous old seagull mascot, made his first visit overhead. The appearance of the bird was the signal for a great outburst of cheering, and the crowd thereafter greeted the gull with great enthusiasm every time he flew over the ground. The City’s arrangements for accommodating the large crowd were working perfectly, the spectators being packed closely together on both the popular banks, where they enjoyed the glorious sunshine.
Messages and a Valentine.
The match officials and the Leeds players also came out onto the field and sunned themselves before changing for the game.
Among the many telegrams of good wishes received by the City club and players were messages from Lowton, Bastin, Hemingway and Phoenix and several other former Grecians, from Derby County supporters, Brighton and Hove, Truro City, Taunton Town, Exeter Y.M.C.A., and other football clubs, and there was one message which read: “ May your Valentine be four goals to nil.”
To the great joy of the juveniles they were permitted to climb over the fence behind the goal at the east end of the ground, and therefore see the match from inside the railings.
Just before the teams came out the Exeter City Military Band, under the conductorship of Mr George Newman, played the popular song of the moment, – “There’s a Good Time Coming.”
Leeds United came out first, and this time instead of the blue and white stripes they wore white shirts and dark blue knickers. Exeter City followed a moment later to a great roar of cheering from the huge crowd. Miller won the toss and lined the City up at the St James’s Road end with the advantage of sun and wind in the opening half.
Smart Attacking by Leeds.
Houghton robbed Edwards neatly and the City moved to the attack, but George Milburn made a lightning interception. Exeter kept play at the Leeds end for a time, but a good kick by Potts travelled two-thirds the length of the field and Miller passed back for Davies to clear. Miller was very cool and sure of himself.
Edwards was fouled by Houghton at the half-way line, and following the free-kick Hart gained possession but shot wide. There followed some smart attacking by Leeds in which Edwards was prominent, and Turnbull and Mitchell each centred dangerously. The City defence, however, was equal to all demands. Leeds in their next advance forced a corner but Turnbull’s centre presented no difficulty, and the Grecians led by Houghton went to the other end in a sparkling attack. Some splendid work by Purcell, who beat two opponents by the penalty line, threatened danger to Leeds, but they forced Exeter back to their own half again.
Thirteen minutes after the start the Grecians scored. Houghton took the ball up the left wing in his inimitable style, hurdling over the outstretched leg of Edwards and beating two more men on the way with neat straight-ahead passes and himself slipping around his challenger. He then swung the ball over to the middle, his beautifully directed centre catching the defenders in two minds as to who should make the clearance. Purcell was left with a clear opening, and he took the ball on for five yards and then beat Potts as he pleased with a first-rate shot, right footed, into the top of the net.
A tremendous tumult of cheering showed what the crowd thought about it, and with the encouragement of that early goal the Grecians settled down to play scientific football at a fast pace. Indeed, at this stage, a neutral observer would have thought that Exeter and not Leeds were the First League team.
Armfield lead another dangerous City movement, his centre being well taken by Varco, who gave Potts a warm shot to save.
Leeds retaliated, and following the corner taken by Mitchell the ball went to Wainscoat, who tested Davies with a hard shot.
The attendance by now must have been very near the 20,000 mark, and the sun was at this point hidden by clouds.
Wainscoat Offside.
A free kick to Leeds 25 yards from the Exeter goal looked ominous, but the ground shot by Hart was parried by Baugh, and from Houghton’s pass to Varco the ball was sent strongly up the wing for Armfield to break away. Armfield centred too close to Potts, who cleared without difficulty,
Fine play by Edwards placed Leeds on the attack, and when Edwards moved up among the forwards and crossed the ball neatly it was headed into the Exeter net by Wainscoat. He was ruled offside, however, and when Leeds next pressed Wainscoat headed over the bar.
Half an hour had passed, and the play was proceeding on fairly even lines, with Exeter appearing the more confident side. The famous Leeds United half back line was however living up to its reputation, particularly the veteran Edwards, who was always in the thick of the fray and was playing with the energy and enthusiasm of a 21-year-old.
Doncaster came into the picture with a brilliant dribble up the left wing and when he was brought down in the corner of the Leeds penalty area by one of the Milburns the crowd expected the referee to award Exeter a penalty kick for tripping, but this expectation was not realised.
Exeter attacked speedily now, and when Armfield was “sandwiched” a free kick was given them. Clarke, however, drove the ball over the goal and into the crowd on the end bank. Miller and Baugh were in grand form for Exeter, and when the City were awarded another free kick for a foul Miller’s splendidly placed effort lead to a series of headers in the Leeds penalty area, the ball being eventually gathered by Potts and cleared.
Exeter’s Second Goal.
Other spirited attacks by the City followed, and Purcell, meeting a corner by Doncaster, headed the ball strongly past the wrong side of the post. Purcell in another fine Exeter attack scented a shooting chance, and his determined shot from 25 yards whistled inches wide of the upright at lightning speed.
When Leeds attacked Miller was beating Turnbull every time, to the delight of the spectators, the City captain’s speciality being to hold off tackling his opponent and forcing him into a position from which it was impossible to centre the ball. Miller at the appropriate moment would then move in quickly and secure possession. From one of Miller’s clearances the ball cannoned into touch off one of the Leeds players well upfield by the trees. It was almost half-time, and from Barber’s throw-in Houghton coolly took the ball through a bunch of opponents and centred neatly and sharply along the ground. From the opposite wing Armfield darted in and ran the ball into the Leeds net. The whistle blew for the goal and the half-time interval, amid tremendous scenes of excitement all round the ground.
Second Half.
Leeds went all out for a snap goal when the game was restarted. Edwards sent Mitchell away with a lovely cross-field pass, and the winger rounded Baugh and centred to Hydes, whose header travelled past the upright and out of play. Doncaster thereupon took the ball to the other end in a fast run, but drove straight at the goalkeeper, who saved without difficulty.
Armfield dispossessed Copping and centred for Houghton to head strongly into the goalmouth, Potts saving well.
Exeter kept up the pressure and a shot from Barber whistled over the Leeds crossbar. The City forwards, inspired by the grand play of Houghton, Purcell and others, were dangerous every time they got on the move, and the second half was only eight minutes old when a sweeping all-out attack finished up with Armfield scoring a third goal for the Grecians.
Varco with fine judgement found the right winger with a beautiful pass along the floor, and the speedy Armfield coolly beat J. Milburn before placing a low cross shot into the far corner of the net, out of Potts’s reach.
With three goals “in the bag” and little over half an hour remaining victory for the gallant Grecians was now in sight, and every attack by the City, of which there were many, was cheered to the echo by the delighted spectators.
Grecians Right on Top of their Form.
A halt was called for an injury to Baugh who was momentarily stunned in a collision with Hydes. The Grecians were now right on top of their form, and met coolly and confidently the strenuous efforts of the Leeds men to force the pace. Exeter in fact were equal to any pace the United could bring out, and the home players all appeared to be contesting the game well within the range of their capabilities.
There was not a single weak spot in the City team from goalkeeper to outside left, and the great crowd of spectators fairly revelled in the game.
At one point there was a regular bombardment of the Leeds goal, shot after shot being parried, and Potts being kept in a state of high tension.
Leeds had a very fortunate escape when a cleverly placed centre by Doncaster was met by Varco with a header which hopped narrowly over the bar.
Houghton and Doncaster showed their paces once again in classic fashion, and G. Milburn had to put in some dashing and desperate work to get in touch with the ball. Another centre by Armfield caused a dangerous situation, but Hart headed the ball behind to prevent Doncaster from netting.
Leeds were tiring rapidly and now appeared to be a beaten side. The Grecians were indisputably in charge of the situation, and “on top” in every phase of the play. In a rare Leeds attack Davies saved easily from Furness. Exeter now eased up slightly, and they were fortunate to escape a penalty decision when Baugh patted the ball down with his hand as Mitchell took it past him. More stirring moves by the City forwards followed, and the Leeds defence was very hotly engaged. They were nevertheless unlucky when Turnbull for once beat Miller and centred, the ball being headed against the City bar by Wainscoat. The rebound went to Hydes, whose shot was saved by Davies.
In the closing chapter it was again nearly all Exeter, and Potts saved his side repeatedly from falling further into arrears.
Miller’s brilliant defence was a grand feature, whilst Clarke, Barber, and the youthful Angus were all playing as strongly as ever.
Six minutes before the end Leeds scored through Mitchell. Turnbull secured possession on the Leeds right wing and centred. Baugh tried to throw Hydes offside, but the ball missed Hydes and went to Mitchell, who had a clear run and beat Davies with a ground shot at close quarters.
Exeter attacked again, and in the closing minute Leeds broke away, a header by Wainscoat being gloriously saved by Davies.
Comments.
It was another great and memorable day for the Grecians. They said they could do it, and they have done it, in grand style. The score did not flatter the City in the slightest. They were the stronger and better side throughout the match, and at times Leeds were completely outplayed.
Leeds owed a great deal to their brilliant half backs, and Edwards most of all, especially in the first half, but the trio could not keep on shouldering the whole burden for the entire 90 minutes.
Exeter City played a simply magnificent game of football against their First Division opponents, and moved from strength to strength. It was easily their most impressive game of the Cup series, and never for a single moment did they look likely to be beaten. There was always danger ahead for Leeds when the City forwards got on the move, and Houghton’s genius again proved to be a match-winning asset. The results of all the fifth round ties were: –
Barnsley 1Wolverhampton Wanderers 3
Birmingham 3 Watford 0
Chelsea 3Blackburn Rovers0
Everton 5 Grimsby town 3
Exeter City 3 Leeds United 1
Portsmouth 0 West Bromwich Albion 1
Southport 1 Bradford Park Avenue 0
Sunderland 2 Sheffield United 1
So the survivors now, along with Exeter City, are the Wolves (captained by Wilf Lowton), Birmingham, Chelsea, Everton, West Bromwich, Southport, and Sunderland. The draw for the sixth round will be made on Monday.
Interview With the Captains.
The official “gate” returns at St James’s Park are: attendance 19,130, and receipts £2,308. 7s. 6d.
Scenes of tremendous and unprecedented enthusiasm followed quickly on the final whistle, and there was much patting of backs and shaking of hands as the officials and players walked from the field, surrounded by hundreds of people who had jumped over the railings.
Interviewed by the “Express and Echo” in the Exeter dressing room after the match, Charlie Miller, the Grecians’ captain said: “It was a very good game and the hardest we have had so far. It was a clean game, too. We were really the better team, but Leeds were good lot of sportsmen and they took their defeat very well indeed.”
“Now we are ready for somebody else,” said Miller, laughingly. “All the boys are feeling very fresh and fit. We have great hopes of going to Wembley, in fact wonderful hopes. Tell the Exeter people to book their seats for the Cup Final!”
The Chairman of the Leeds United club was absent in London on Parliamentary business (he is a member of the House of Commons), but the Vice - Chairman Mr J.F. Tipton, and several of the visiting Directors entered the Exeter dressing room and warmly congratulated Miller and the other Grecians. The Leeds officials stated frankly that the City thoroughly deserved to win.
Mr M.J. McGahey, the Exeter City Chairman visited the Leeds dressing room, and shook hands with Hart, and complimented the United team on their play and their good sportsmanship.
Hart, the Leeds United International captain, declared in an interview that the City played a good and hard game, and also a sporting game. He accorded his congratulations to the City and wished them further luck in the Cup.
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