Saturday, November 10th 1934.

CITY AND ROVERS SHARE TEN GOALS

Grecians' Splendid Rally After Being Three Down

POULTER'S LAST MINUTE EQUALISER

Bristol Rovers 5 Exeter City 5.

One of the most amazing and sensational games ever seen was the one at Eastville this afternoon between Bristol Rovers and the Grecians. Ten goals were shared equally. Three down at one stage, Exeter rallied so well that they shared the points, and richly deserved to do so. It was a gallant recovery, although the Rovers were handicapped towards the close by an injury to Allen.

ROVERS:
Ellis
Pickering Donald
Wallington McLean Murray
Tadman McKay Allen Smith Prout

Referee:- Mr F.W.Reeve, of Devonport.

Hurst T.Scott Poulter Wrightson J.Scott Lewis Webb Angus
Smith Gray
Davies
CITY:

There were expectations of a 20,000 gate at Eastville, but dull and depressing weather accompanied by a steady drizzle reduced the attendance to well under 10,000. Appropriate Armistice Day music was played prior to the match, and when the teams came out all the players together with the match officials lined up in front of the grandstand and the spectators stood bare-headed as the two minutes' silence was observed in memory of the fallen. Exeter kicked off, Scott having lost the toss, and made the first advance. Webb put Wrightson through but the latter's crossfield pass was cleared by Pickering. Ellis came out and gathered a centre from J.Scott. After eight minutes Bristol got into their stride for the first time, Allen flicking the ball out to Tadman, whose centre was driven into the Exeter net by Smith (J).

DOUBLE SHOCK FOR EXETER.

An offside decision against Hurst robbed the City of a possible equaliser, then at the other end Davies made a marvellous save from Tadman, knocking the ball up and catching it as it dropped. A minute afterwards Allen was injured in collision with W.Smith but quickly resumed. The game then underwent a sensational turn, and a double shock for Exeter with the Rovers scoring twice in less than a minute. The first of these goals was obtained by Tadman, who ran on to a forward pass and shot past Davies from a narrow angle. Then a series of short passes by the Rovers' forwards had the Exeter defence rattled and disorganised. Webb could have booted clear, but his old fault of dwelling on the ball prevailed, and Allen, forcing his way into the thick of the fray drove into the City net from not more than five yards out.

CITY SCORE WITH A PENALTY.

A free kick to Exeter came to nothing, Angus shooting over the bar, and the game continued very largely in favour of the home side, who were more thrustful in attack and steadier in defence. Tom Scott tried hard to rally the Grecians, but the City attack was rarely dangerous until just before the interval. Then both the Scotts shared in a raid which brought a corner, and when J.Scott's flag-kick came across the whistle sounded, and Exeter were awarded a penalty against Pickering for charging Poulter in the back. Webb took the kick and netted with a high shot well to the left of Ellis.

Half-time: Rovers 3 Exeter City 1.

Bristol had played splendid football during the first half, and though Exeter had tried their hardest they were neither so methodical or so accurate in their passing as the Rovers.

SECOND HALF.

The game now took on an entirely different complexion. The City launched an immediate attack, and after the ball had been passed and re-passed several times Poulter drove low into the net. It was now the turn of the Rovers to score from the penalty spot. Smith, making use of a pass from Allen, was tearing goal-wards when he was spreadeagled by his Exeter namesake and Gray. Smith took the penalty himself and made no mistake. Smith (of Bristol) shortly afterwards obtained the Rovers' fifth goal, Wright son replying with one for Exeter. More drama was yet to come, however, with Exeter rallying in the last five minutes. Wrightson beat Ellis with a powerful drive to the top of the net, and in the very last minute Poulter ran in to crash home a beautiful centre from Hurst.


Southern League
CITY RESERVES 3
BRISTOL ROVERS RESERVES 0.

A mis-kick by Lock nearly cost Exeter a goal in today's Southern League match at St James's Park, but Chesters came to the rescue. The City had two amateurs on the wings and Dryden at left-back.

City Reserves:- Chesters; Lock, Dryden; Risdon, Keefe, McClure; V.Hoyle, Dudley, McArthur, Tierney, and C.Sutherley.

Rovers Reserves: - Adams; Durkin, Golledge; Wildsmith, McArthur, Wilson; Postin, McCambridge, Berry, Harwood, and Taylor.

McClure and McArthur were outstanding players for Exeter, and Chesters a very safe goalkeeper. McArthur scored two grand goals for the City, who led at half time by 2-0. Hoyle rounded off the scoring after the interval with a shot that Adams stopped but could not hold, and the ball finished up in the back of the net.