Hatters Stave Off Defeat by Fine Defence. City Still Third in the League.

Saturday, February 13th 1932.
EXETER CITY (DONCASTER) 1
LUTON TOWN (LOASBY) 1.

As ever, the Hatters put up a stern fight for the points at St James's Park, it being a stubbornly contested match, with the defences generally on top. Exeter had more and better scoring chances than their opponents, and with their usual standard of finishing would have made the issue fairly certain in the first half. But the attack was not quite up to standard, even though Purcell put in some splendid work. Houghton was missed, and so were those sparkling left-wing movements which have been such a grand feature of Exeter's play this season. Luton Town played fine football midway through the second half, and deserved to score their equalising goal.
Today's result was disappointing in view of the club's promotion hopes.

Exeter City:- Davies; Gray and Miller;
Clarke, Childs, and Barber; Armfield, Purcell, Varco, Halliday, and Doncaster.

Luton Town: Imrie; Kingham and Hodgson; Kean, McGinnigle, and Fraser; Cupit, Tait, Loasby, Yardley, and Turner.

Referee:- Mr W.E.Russell, of Swindon.

Attendance 6,000. Miller won the toss and Exeter defended the St James's Road end in the first half. The weather was cold but fine, and the ball was very lively on a hard playing pitch.

The game commenced with Luton Town's dash well countered by the keen City halves and backs, Childs being conspicuous in the centre. Free kicks were given to Luton when Gray brought Turner down unfairly, and to Exeter when Barber was fouled by Kean. Armfield took play close to the Luton goal, and Imrie dashed out to save after the winger had beaten Hodgson. Luton conceded another free kick when McGinnigle handled, and the direct shot by Childs was headed out by Hodgson. Miller held up Cupit and Tait admirably, but Halliday was not quick enough to get to the ball from his captain's pass, and Kean set the Town on the attack. Turner centred right across the City goal and Tait's header flashed past the post. The City took the lead in the 28th minute. Purcell neatly tapped the ball past his immediate opponent and then shot accurately for goal. Imrie failed to hold the ball, and Doncaster dashed in from the left wing at top speed to turn it into the net. The City continued to play sterling football in all departments, with Childs and Clarke particularly effective in the half back line. Varco wound up a splendid attacking move with a cross shot from a narrow angle, but Imrie was ready for the ball this time. From a move started by Purcell and carried on by Armfield the ball came over to Varco in the penalty area, but from point blank range Varco sliced his shot, the leather flying over the cross-bar.
Half-time: City 1 Luton Town 0.

Second Half.

There was a tremendous and sustained burst of cheering when it was intimated from the "Football Express" score board that the leading clubs of the section, Fulham and Brentford, were both in arrears at half-time in their home matches. The Grecians attacked eagerly and Halliday netted, but the goal was disallowed on account of offside. Imrie saved from Varco, and a long shot from Purcell travelled outside the goal. Midway through the second half Luton increased their pace in a big effort to get an equalising goal, and Davies saved from Loasby, while another shot from Loasby went over the bar. With Luton making a determined effort to save a point Exeter missed the work of the nimble Houghton, and eventually the Town levelled the scores through Loasby, who drove low into the net a centre from Cupit. A quarter of an hour's play now remained, and from Turner's centre Loasby all but scored with a header. Purcell sent in a great shot, which deserved a goal, but Imrie jumped up and punched the ball over the bar.

MERTHYR TOWN 2
EXETER CITY RESERVES 2.
Southern League match at Penydarren Park.

Play began at a fast pace with the Merthyr forwards showing to advantage. Jones made several smart saves in the first five minutes. In ten minutes Merthyr took the lead through Blandford, who scored from a pass by Alden. In a subsequent Exeter raid Risdon headed over when well placed, and two attempts by Woodward were saved by Williams. Towards the interval the Merthyr backs were inclined to relax their efforts, and they soon paid the penalty, Risdon and Courtney scoring for Exeter Reserves in rapid succession.

Half-time: Merthyr 1 City Reserves 2.

Merthyr equalised from a penalty kick given against Ditchburn. Play in the second half was of rather a loose character, with a lot of wild kicking. Williams saved shots from Courtney and Angus.

City Reserves:- Jones; Baugh, Bright; Ditchburn, Angus, Robinson; Gumm, Graham, Woodward, Risdon, Courtney.