BIGGEST "GATE" OF THE SEASON AT ST JAMES'S PARK 
Clarke's Sensational Goal

Saturday, October 31st 1931.
EXETER CITY 3 TORQUAY UNITED 1

Fine weather favoured a big attendance at St James's Park this afternoon, in the first of the popular "Devon Derbies" of the season, the prize being two Football League points. For this match Exeter fielded the team which won so well on the Bristol Rovers' ground last Saturday, and Torquay, who were so far unbeaten this month, made one change, substituting Waller for Birkett on the right wing. Waller has the reputation of always producing his best form on the Exeter ground. There were 10,000 spectators present when Miller won the toss, and elected to defend the St James's Road end.

Exeter City:- Davies; Gray and Miller; Clarke, Angus, and Barber; Armfield, Varco, Whitlow, Houghton, and Doncaster.

Torquay United:- Wright; Fowler and Tapp; Hutchinson, Butler, and Smith;
Waller, Clayson, G.H.Stabb, Trotter, and Hemingway.

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

While the margin between the teams in the way of goals was not great, there was an enormous difference in the quality of their play. Exeter were infinitely the cleverer side, and with normal luck in finishing off their moves they would have won substantially. Whitlow and Miller set a fine example of cool efficiency in a game in which the keynote was high excitement. The City centre forward played one of his finest games for the club so far, while Miller outshone every other player on the field. Houghton was also in splendid fettle. Torquay were outpointed both in attack and defence, the home half-backs taking a big part in the game. Clarke, who scored a truly sensational opening goal, was a tremendous worker. Butler was the hero for Torquay, his sound judgment and clever positional play being the United's mainstay. Torquay fought hard all the way through, but in the end had to admit defeat by a better side. Exeter's upward march in the League is now assuming a really interesting phase. They are now in sixth place, the best they have held since season 1927-28. Torquay kicked off and attempted to make progress on their right, but Miller intervened, and Exeter, combining smartly, took up the running. Wright saved a shot from Houghton, and then, after six minutes, there was a sensational goal from Clarke. A free kick to the Grecians was only partially cleared, and when the ball ran loose it was met outside the penalty area by Clarke, whose first time drive went into the roof of the net like a bullet fired from a gun. The goalkeeper never even saw the ball until he turned round to pick it out of the rigging! Hardly had the cheers died away when Torquay equalised from a penalty, given against one of the home players for handling. Fowler from the spot gave Davies no chance of saving. Hemingway, the former Grecian, showed he has lost none of his skill in his tussles with Gray, but was poorly supported by his inside forward and wing half. Trotter, for persistent fouling, had his name taken by the referee. Exeter's goals in the second half were scored by Armfield and Varco. A stone was thrown on to the field by one of the disgruntled Torquay supporters behind the St James Road end. 

Southern League
TORQUAY UNITED RESERVES 4
EXETER CITY RESERVES 2 

Southern League match at Plainmoor. Birkett was outstanding for Torquay in the early stages, and twice sent in shots which would have been a less competent goalkeeper than Grigg.

Torquay: Millsom; Webster, W.J.Johnson; R.R.Beer, Parkin, Hewitt; Birkett, E.E.Knott, Cooper, Miller, and H.F.Rogers.

Exeter: F.G.Grigg; Baugh, S.Houghton; A.Johnson, Ditchburn, Robinson; J.Gumm, Purcell, Woodward, Halliday, and Courtney.

Torquay secured the lead through Cooper, who ran through on his own, and when Grigg confidently advanced to the penalty line, lifted the ball over the goal keeper's head into the empty net. Purcell equalised from Courtney's centre. During the second half Woodward gave Exeter the lead, and then Cooper produced some sparkling play for the United. When W.J.Johnson supplied him with the ball he was surrounded by players, but struggled through and squared accounts. He then added two more goals and was mainly responsible for the final score and for Torquay's victory, their third against Exeter Reserves this season.


Friendly Match at St James's Park
Wednesday, November 4th 1931.
CITY RESERVES 3
DEVON GENERAL 0 

This charity match, in aid of the Disabled Children's Bazaar, was played at St James's Park on Wednesday afternoon between the City Reserves and Devon General. Rain fell fast at the commencement, and the attendance was not as large as had been hoped for. The Mayor and Mayoress (Mr Charles Warren and Miss Warren) and the Sheriff (Mr J. W. Ackroyd) were present, as was Mr. D. Campbell, the manager of the Devon General Company. As a result of the match the Devon General, who have worked hard in the way of selling tickets beforehand, have raised close on £100 for the Disabled Children's Bazaar.

The match was won by the City Reserves by three goals to nil, but the 'busmen put up a grand fight and were very unlucky in not scoring. The way in which they rallied their forces after the interval aroused much enthusiasm. Godbeer in this period made some sensational saves, and on one occasion a fine shot from Carr rebounded from the framework of the Exeter goal. Graham from Keen's pass scored for the City in the first minute, and not long afterwards a second goal was obtained by Graham, who rounded off good forceful play by Woodward. Exeter's third goal was scored by Woodward five minutes before half-time. The Devon General played exceedingly well in the second half, and none better than Potter, the ex-Grecian, who was centre half for the 'busmen.

Exeter City Reserves:- Godbeer (Friernhay); Baugh, Bright; Purcell, Robinson, Cross (Dartmouth United); Keen, Graham, Woodward, Halliday, Courtney.