CITY BEATEN AT HOME BY AN EARLY GOAL

Newport County More Direct in Attack

EXETER SQUANDER MANY CHANCES AND LACK METHODSaturday, 

August 25th 1934.

Exeter City 0 Newport County 1.

A surprise was in store for the Exeter City following, on the occasion of the opening match of the season, at St James's Park this afternoon, the Grecians being captained by Charlie Miller. The left-back, who skippered the side through many of its most memorable triumphs, thus returned to lead the team after last season in the ranks. There were no last minute changes in either of the teams, and as regards the weather the campaign could not have been ushered in under pleasanter conditions, for the spectators, at least. The weather was too hot and the ground too hard for the liking of the footballers.

EXETER CITY:
Davies
Gray Miller
Clarke Webb McClure
Scott Dudley Poulter McArthur Dryden

Referee:- Mr F.W.Reeve, of Devonport. Captains: Miller and McLaughlan.

Thomas Burgess Bird Higgins Green
Odell McKenzie Whitehouse
McLaughlan Robinson
Emery
NEWPORT COUNTY:

The three newcomers to the Newport side were all well known to Exeter's football public. Bird and McKenzie are former Plymouth Argyle players, while Odell is an ex-"Cobbler." In addition, at inside-right was one who was even better known, in the person of Andy Higgins, a popular Grecian of the 1932-33 season. For the

welcome return of football there was a steady trek to St James's Park, and business on the turnstiles became brisk as the start loomed near. About seven and a half thousand welcomed the teams when they appeared on the field, and people were still streaming in when Miller, enthusiastically cheered, went to toss for the choice of ends. Unfortunately the City captain guessed wrongly, and the Grecians lined up at the far end facing a bright sun.

NEWPORT TAKE THE LEAD.

Early play favoured Exeter, and Dryden showed the Newport backs a clean pair of heels before crossing the ball over the heads of the defenders to Poulter, who shot first time, but straight into the hands of Emery. The County after a slow start began to get together nicely, and in the twenty-fifth minute Bird deftly flicked the ball towards Thomas. The Welsh International winger took it in his stride and measured his return pass exactly right for Bird, who brought the ball under control, nipped between the City backs and steered a ground shot into the net from the simplest of positions. Exeter in the second half squandered numerous chances of scoring, and the play of the forwards and halves lacked method. The defence of Davies, Gray and Miller could not be faulted, however.

Southern League

NEWPORT COUNTY RESERVES
v EXETER CITY RESERVES.

In the opening Southern League match of the season, at Somerton Park, Newport, the County Reserves defeated Exeter City Reserves by three goals to nil, all the goals coming after the interval. Wrightson was unable to play because of illness, and Exeter were represented by the following:-
Chesters; Lock and Smith; Keefe, Angus, and S.Barnes; F.Jasper, Risdon, Hurst, Lewis and Tierney.

Keefe was playing his first match as a professional, he having joined the paid ranks last week, following the practice match.