CITY CRASH AGAIN FIVE - TWO

FATAL LACK OF PACE AGAINST GILLINGHAM

Saturday, September 28th 1935.
Exeter City 2 Gillingham 5.

The Grecians were like a ship without a rudder at St James Park this afternoon. Risdon and Lowton were regularly, and easily, caught napping by the nimble Doncaster, an Exeter discard of three years ago.mThe former Exeter winger scored two of Gillingham's goals, and played a brilliant game throughout. And the City are badly in need of an outside-left! Gillingham won by five goals to two and fully merited their big margin of goals. Robinson, a sick man, could be excused from an criticism, while Hurst was another who has not quite recovered from a recent illness. But there was no ezcuse for the City's lackadaisical play. The performances of many of the Grecians was terribly weak, and Lowton, Angus, and McLean were very much below standard. On the other hand Dunn deserves sympathy. It was hard lines on such an accomplished footballer to have to operate in the sort of team that Exeter were this afternoon. McCambridge, the new centre-forward, gave a hard-working and clever exhibition, but no centre-forward can accomplish much on such scant support.

A SENSATIONAL START.

Gillingham, man for man, were infinitely superior to the City, displaying fine enthusiasm and understanding, and with the home backs and halves wavering there was nothing to stop their progress. The start was sensational, Exeter being two goals behind after only four minutes' play. The lively Tadman waltzed round Angus and Miller and swung the ball across to Duncan, who had only Chesters to beat, and he drove hard into the net from a range of about six yards. Hardly had the game restarted when another warm attack brought about Gillingham's second goal. And it was Doncaster who caused this next shock. Gaining possession well outside the penalty area he cut in at great speed, and getting to within shooting range beat Chesters with a wonderful left footed oblique drive into the far corner of the goal. For the most part Gillingham were fiercely aggressive, Duncan, Fisher, and Baldwin being especially dangerous, while Tadman and Doncaster were always threatening and generally too tricky and fast for Lowton and Miller.

ANOTHER GOAL FOR DONCASTER.

Chesters made many spectacular saves but was beaten again by Doncaster at close quarters, and just on the interval Duncan further increased Gillingham's lead from Tadman's centre. A recovery by the Exeter forwards looked promising, but neither Dunn nor McCambridge could get past the watchful Whitelaw until Robinson, at outside-left with Angus centre half and McArthur left-half, put the ball at Dunn's feet for the Scottish Inter national to close the gap. Further intensive play by the visitors, however, saw Tadman on the target from Doncaster's cross volley, and although Exeter tried hard they were unable to get round Lester and Turton until right on the final whistle when Robinson lessened the sting of the defeat by heading a centre from Hurst into the Gillingham net. Exeter were beaten mainly because they were too slow in getting to the ball, though Jimmy Dunn, in a class by himself so far as the City players were concerned, deserved sympathy. He was here, there, and everywhere, but without the necessary support, and even Dunn could not be expected to beat Gillingham on his own.


Exeter and District League
CITY RESERVES BEAT ST MARK'S.

In a game that provided thrills in plenty and occasionally keen and well balanced football, Exeter City Reserves, at Wonford Road this afternoon defeated St Mark's by 4 goals to 2 in the Exeter and District League.

McArdle with two goals in the first half and Ebdon with two in the second shared the scoring for Exeter, while C. Setter and Wilson scored for St Mark's.

City Reserves:- Kirk; L. Brooking, Fantham; S.Haller, H. Bamsey, T.Scott (captain); V.Hoyle, J.Scott, R.Ebdon, J.Endacott, and McArdle.