CITY'S GREAT REVIVAL AFTER QUIET START

"Soldiers" Outclassed in All Departments

DUNN THE INDIVIDUAL STAR

Poulter's Dashing Leadership: Three Goals

Saturday, August 31st 1935.

EXETER CITY 5,Poulter 3,Fantham, Clarke.  
ALDERSHOT 1 Oxberry)


Exeter City staged a great revival in the second half against Aldershot, outclassing the visitors in all departments, and in the end winning comfortably by five goals to one. The City started shakily and it was not until after the half time interval that the side got going. Dunn was the individual star of the City team, while Poulter, whose dashing and inspiring leadership was crowned by three goals, was another personality of the match. Four newcomers were given an opportunity in the Grecians team. Dunn and McLean were more or less an automatic choice, and so was McArdle, the third fresh face in the forward line. Fantham gained the selectors' confidence on account of his consistently clever performances in public and private trial games. Though rain threatened at times, the sun (inevitable accompani ment to the football season's opening!) shone brightly just as the teams were about to enter the field. Temperature was high for the so-styled winter game, but the ground, made soft by the recent rain, was in far better condition than usual on a late August afternoon. The crowd started to roll up at an early hour, and there were almost ten thousand present when Miller led the City out to the accompaniment of an encouraging cheer. The applause was partly reserved for the captain himself in recognition of his entering upon his tenth season with the City. Aldershot won the toss, and Exeter kicked off from the railway end.

ROBB'S MISTAKE.

After Love and Williams had both tried in vain to get a goal, Robb came to grief over a dropping shot in the goalmouth. He came out to clear but was bustled by Poulter, who lobbed the ball into the empty net. The lead was short-lived, however, for within three minutes an almost similar move resulted in Oxberry equalising, despite the close attentions of Miller and Angus. Towards the interval Aldershot were playing much the better football although they were beaten back time and again. The remainder of the game was practically all Exeter, who with Dunn inspiring most of the moves, swarmed to the attack almost immediately after the change of ends. Poulter again gave the City the lead from Dunn's ideal pass, and following a scramble under the bar Fantham hooked the ball into the net. Clever play between Williams and Oakes resulted in the latter driving over the bar, and this was followed by a grand effort by Hurst, who, after a magnificent run and pass, saw Poulter head the ball through, while Clarke scored the fifth goal with a free-kick on the fringe of the penalty area.
the teams were about to enter the field. Temperature was high for the so-styled winter game, but the ground, made soft by the recent rain, was in far better condition than usual on a late August afternoon.

BARNSTAPLE v
EXETER CITY RESERVES.
Exeter and District League

Exeter City Reserves made their first appearance in the Exeter and District League, and the visit of the Grecians' second XI to Barnstaple aroused great interest in North Devon. Captained by Wilf Lowton, who has returned to Exeter after a long association with Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Reserves were strongly represented for a match of this character. The team included Kirk, the former Liverpool goalkeeper, and three new players on trial, namely Dixon, Richards, and Cannon. Risdon, McArthur, and Tom Scott, all of whom have made their mark in Exeter City Reserves made their first appearance in the Exeter and District League, and the visit of the Grecians' second XI to Barnstaple aroused great interest in North Devon. Captained by Wilf Lowton, who has returned to Exeter after a long association with Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Reserves were strongly represented for a match of this character. The team included Kirk, the former Liverpool goalkeeper, and three new players on trial, namely Dixon, Richards, and Cannon. Risdon, McArthur, and Tom Scott, all of whom have made their mark in the first eleven, also found places in the visiting ranks. The Barnstaple club fielded a team which included three players who have represented Devon County, and Cecil Green, an ex-Reading professional, and they hoped to provide an early check to the League ambitions of Exeter City.

Barnstaple. Gannaway; Tubbs and Tithcott; Goss, Skidmore, and Knill; Mock, Chapple, Green, Southcombe, and Parker.

City Reserves. Kirk; Lowton and Dixon; Risdon, H. Bamsey, and S. Barnes; Richards, T.Scott, R.Ebdon, McArthur, and Cannon.

Barnstaple survived a free-kick and a corner awarded to Exeter, in the opening minute, then Richards made progress on the right wing. Exeter looked certain to score but Tom Scott blazed the ball high over the bar. The City rearguard proved safe during an anxious spell which followed a perfect centre by Mock, and at the other end Ebdon had a powerful shot well saved by Gannaway. Exeter again got swiftly away and Ebdon scored at close range. Barnstaple were quickly on terms. From a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area Green sent in a glorious shot which Lowton took a flying kick at and missed, and the ball finished up in the back of the net.

SECOND HALF.
Within five minutes of the change of ends Exeter had regained the lead, a perfectly placed pass by Richards being turned to account by McArthur with a header. Exeter went further ahead shortly afterwards, Ebdon converting a free-kick by Lowton. This was followed by another goal, from Richards. Southcombe turned a nicely placed corner from Parker through a crowd of players for Barnstaple's second goal, then Tom Scott, unchallenged, walked the ball into the net for Exeter's fifth goal. Barnstaple were beaten by a better-class team.
Result:-
Barnstaple 2 City Reserves 5.