Season Summary 1921/22
Exeter City's Christmas
ONE POINT FROM THREE GAMES:
The results of Exeter City's holiday fixtures were disappointing in the extreme. Only one point was captured out of a possible six, and consequently the club again finds itself at the bottom of the League table.
Supporters had been encouraged to expect something a great deal better. Several weeks prior to the Cup-ties there was evidence of a steady improvement having taken root, and the second match with Bristol Rovers, at St James's Park, convinced supporters that the team possessed a certain amount of talent which had hitherto been conspicuous only by its absence.
Supporters Sadly Disillusioned.
In subsequent matches up to the last week-end there was seen to be no evidence of deterioration, but a "dry-rot" appeared to in commencing with the return meeting with Watford. set
The City fielded an eleven which should have been capable of winning, and what is more, capable of winning by a margin of at least two goals. Very few supporters were in doubt on that score. As it turned out they were sadly disillusioned. One looks for reasonable excuse for defeat, but fails. a
Argyle's Visit.
Bullock cannot be charged with failing at centre-forward. The former Crewe Alexandra and Macclesfield player proved a worthy substitute for J.Green, and played well in each one of the three matches.
Supporters found some measure of consolation in the hope that the Grecians were conserving their strength for the "local Derby" with the intention of lowering Plymouth Argyle's colours.
The popularity of the fixture was manifest in the record crowd, including an exceptionally large following from the three towns, and other parts of Devon. The game was such, however, that there was far more enthusiasm before and after than at the Park.
On the whole there was nothing to create much excitement other than in the first ten minutes when the Grecians went at it "hammer and tongs," creating several thrills in front of the Argyle goal. But for two remarkable saves by Craig, the issue might have been I decided in that period. Subsequently the game seemed to take on an entirely different complexion. There was an abundance of feeble play, and neither side did themselves justice. The referee was partly responsible, but it would be unfair to saddle him with all the blame. Probably he had had some previous experience of these "local Derbies," and right from the outset showed a firm hand.
Nothing escaped his attention, and he allowed nothing to un-noticed. The whistle sounded for the slightest suggestion of an infringement. It was whistle, whistle, whistle!
Uncanny Confidence.
Players seemed diffident about tackling and the annoyed. Uncomplimentary remarks concerning the referee's ruling crowd became were heard from all directions. However, this did not affect the result, for the Argyle would have won in any case, and they fully deserved the verdict.
They shaped like a winning side. Although hard pressed in the early part, they were unperturbed and took things calmly, and well might the home team have taken to heart several object lessons. Throughout, the Argyle played with an almost uncanny confidence, which might have even been taken for indifference at times. They were evidently confident of the eventual result, and were inclined to treat the opposition very lightly.
The Only Bright Spot.
On very few occasions was Craig troubled after his baptism, in the early stages, so well was he covered by Russell and Forbes.
Jack Hill was even better than last season, when his tackling and general defensive work were the main cause of bringing about the City's downfall. He also found time to keep his forwards well supplied with nicely placed passes. Leslie and Corcoran on either wing gave glimpses of excellent football, Leslie particularly.
The only bright spot in the City's programme was the drawn game at Home Park, which was certainly a very creditable performance.
Nevertheless, it is evident that Exeter City will have to take themselves seriously to task. With the season half over they have the poorest record in the League, and unless some tangible advance is made, the outlook for professional football in the Ever Faithful City will be very unpromising.
ONE POINT FROM THREE GAMES:
The results of Exeter City's holiday fixtures were disappointing in the extreme. Only one point was captured out of a possible six, and consequently the club again finds itself at the bottom of the League table.
Supporters had been encouraged to expect something a great deal better. Several weeks prior to the Cup-ties there was evidence of a steady improvement having taken root, and the second match with Bristol Rovers, at St James's Park, convinced supporters that the team possessed a certain amount of talent which had hitherto been conspicuous only by its absence.
Supporters Sadly Disillusioned.
In subsequent matches up to the last week-end there was seen to be no evidence of deterioration, but a "dry-rot" appeared to in commencing with the return meeting with Watford. set
The City fielded an eleven which should have been capable of winning, and what is more, capable of winning by a margin of at least two goals. Very few supporters were in doubt on that score. As it turned out they were sadly disillusioned. One looks for reasonable excuse for defeat, but fails. a
Argyle's Visit.
Bullock cannot be charged with failing at centre-forward. The former Crewe Alexandra and Macclesfield player proved a worthy substitute for J.Green, and played well in each one of the three matches.
Supporters found some measure of consolation in the hope that the Grecians were conserving their strength for the "local Derby" with the intention of lowering Plymouth Argyle's colours.
The popularity of the fixture was manifest in the record crowd, including an exceptionally large following from the three towns, and other parts of Devon. The game was such, however, that there was far more enthusiasm before and after than at the Park.
On the whole there was nothing to create much excitement other than in the first ten minutes when the Grecians went at it "hammer and tongs," creating several thrills in front of the Argyle goal. But for two remarkable saves by Craig, the issue might have been I decided in that period. Subsequently the game seemed to take on an entirely different complexion. There was an abundance of feeble play, and neither side did themselves justice. The referee was partly responsible, but it would be unfair to saddle him with all the blame. Probably he had had some previous experience of these "local Derbies," and right from the outset showed a firm hand.
Nothing escaped his attention, and he allowed nothing to un-noticed. The whistle sounded for the slightest suggestion of an infringement. It was whistle, whistle, whistle!
Uncanny Confidence.
Players seemed diffident about tackling and the annoyed. Uncomplimentary remarks concerning the referee's ruling crowd became were heard from all directions. However, this did not affect the result, for the Argyle would have won in any case, and they fully deserved the verdict.
They shaped like a winning side. Although hard pressed in the early part, they were unperturbed and took things calmly, and well might the home team have taken to heart several object lessons. Throughout, the Argyle played with an almost uncanny confidence, which might have even been taken for indifference at times. They were evidently confident of the eventual result, and were inclined to treat the opposition very lightly.
The Only Bright Spot.
On very few occasions was Craig troubled after his baptism, in the early stages, so well was he covered by Russell and Forbes.
Jack Hill was even better than last season, when his tackling and general defensive work were the main cause of bringing about the City's downfall. He also found time to keep his forwards well supplied with nicely placed passes. Leslie and Corcoran on either wing gave glimpses of excellent football, Leslie particularly.
The only bright spot in the City's programme was the drawn game at Home Park, which was certainly a very creditable performance.
Nevertheless, it is evident that Exeter City will have to take themselves seriously to task. With the season half over they have the poorest record in the League, and unless some tangible advance is made, the outlook for professional football in the Ever Faithful City will be very unpromising.
Exeter City's Experience
1921-1922 AN UNLUCKY SEASON
Exeter City have had much more than their share of ill-luck in the season just finished. Injuries to players kept the new team from settling down, month after month. When this handicap relaxed a little the men were too discouraged to put the requisite "vim" into their play.
Such was the state of affairs when "Jazzo" Kirk was secured from Plymouth Argyle. He inspired the Grecians to a truly great and gallant effort, and the improvement in the football of the side was very notable and highly gratifying to a crowd which had been more than a little bored by somewhat moderate fare during a campaign and a half.
The new Grecians put some life into the City following, though just failing in their endeavour to pull the club safely away from the bottom of the League. The two big disappointments during most of the season were associated with Stewart and Vowles. The full back from Oldham was in indifferent health when he came to Exeter, and did not give a real taste of his quality till the December. month of
The inside left position was the bugbear of the club until six weeks ago, when Vowles was reintroduced to the attack, and showed form such as had not been seen from him for nearly a year.
But for a big rally made by the Grecians at the tail-end of the campaign, which of course stemmed from the time of the arrival of Kirk, season 1921-22 would have been one long drawn-out failure. The pity of it is that steps were not taken sooner to strengthen the team.
The race for promotion from the Southern Section of Division Three, between Southampton and Plymouth Argyle, has ended in highly dramatic fashion. The Saints did their part in the final match at The Dell, and Queen's Park Rangers, for the thir dtime in history, have robbed the Pilgrims of premier honours in the big Southern Competition.
Creator
Paul Farley
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