Grecians Lose by a Penalty Goal

 

The experiments that were made with the Exeter City team last Saturday were so satisfactory that Northampton were beaten by two clear goals, and Whittaker, who once wore the Cobblers' colours, had the pleasure of registering both the goals against his former colleagues in his first attempt of the season at centre-forward.

 

As the team played with such fine enthusiasm it was expectedthat the same players would be chosen for the side that had to make the journey to Southend for this afternoon's game at Roots Hall, a compact little enclosure situated about a mile from the seafront.

 

SOUTHEND UNITED

Kebbell

Thomson Probert

Emery Moon Steel

Wilson Wileman Louch Frost Batchelor

 

Referee:- Mr T.Kirkham, of Burslem.

 

EXETER CITY

Marshall McCann Whittaker Lewis Holt

Evans Lagan Rigby

Strettle Fort

Pym

 

The match commenced in beautiful weather, before three thousand spectators. Southend won the toss, but the game opened quietly, the ball being continually out of play. Exeter were the first to be really dangerous, Rigby giving Holt a fine pass. The winger in turn passed to Lewis, whose shot was weak, and wide of the post.

 

Southend at once retaliated with a smart burst, but just at the critical moment Wilson stumbled and the ball was kicked clear.

 

The game now began to improve, and some very pretty passing by the Southend forwards was seen. Strettle nipped in and checked one of their attacks with a fine kick, which placed Holt in possession about thirty-five yards out, and despite the attentions of Steel the winger bored his way into the penalty area and gave Kebbell a rare handful. Exeter were now being seen to better advantage, a shot from McCann all but finding the net, and Kebbell once again bringing off a good save. Whittaker, obtaining the ball from the rebound shot again, but with the same result.

 

Pym rushed out to save a centre from Batchelor, but the ball passed well over his reach, and went out of play on the far side. Again the Grecians came to the attack with some sparkling football, slinging the ball about with fine judgment, and Holt tested the goalkeeper with a splendid header from Marshall's centre.

 

Southend now began to take a hand in the attacking, and indeed came very near to opening the score, gaining a corner. The ball bobbed about in the goalmouth until Wileman banged in a sharp, rising shot, which was well held by Pym. The goalkeeper, with a quick side-step, dodged the follow-up charge of Louch, and threw the ball round the post. The resultant corner was headed away by Rigby. Wilson then got going, but a smart tackle by Evans checked the move. Strettle was prominent with several fine headers and clearance kicks that disposed of awkward looking shots, and at the other end Lewis had hard luck with a header, just wide of the left handpost.

 

A Narrow Escape: and a Penalty.

Hereabouts the City goal underwent a very narrow escape. The ball was kicked out to Batchelor, who beat Rigby and centred to Wileman. The home inside-right met the ball in its flight, and lobbed it towards the top corner of the goal, with Pym making a frantic effort to reach it. The ball, however, struck the crossbar and went back into play, much to the relief of the Grecians. This was only momentary, for again the "Shrimpers" swarmed to attack Exeter's goal, and Pym saved from Wileman at full length.

Mr Kirkham was then seen pointing to the penalty spot, Wileman scoring from the kick awarded against Evans for alleged handling.
Interval score:- Southend 1, Exeter City nil.

 

Second half.

On resuming, Southend at once came to the fore, Batchelor boring in from the left wing and forcing Pym to punch clear. Pym was again in action just afterwards with a fine save from Louch. Then another one from Louch produced a corner, which Fort cleared.

 

Midfield play then ruled for some time, both defences being the masters of the forwards opposed to them. A centre from Marshall gave Whittaker a chance to shoot, but the ball was charged down by Probert. A bright movement between Wilson and Wileman changed the venue, Wilson centreing to Louch, whose shot was wide of the mark.

 

Holt made an effort to pierce the home defence, but after a fine run he was tackled and robbed by Steel. Again Holt tried to get through, receiving a lovely pass from Whittaker, but Steel was once more successful.

 

Southend then took up the attack, Louch coming through half the length of the field in a splendid run. He beat all the defenders until confronted by Pym, who effected a brilliant save on his knees. Exeter forced a corner in the last minute, but it was of no use, and the game ended with the score remaining:-

SOUTHEND​1
CITY ​0

 

Notes on the Game.

For quite a time during the first half one saw a revelation in the form of the Exeter City forwards. Their long swinging passes, their dashes, and their shooting, were very find, and but for some brilliant saves by Kebbell they would have scored.

 

After the penalty goal against them, however, they seemed to go back to their old methods, and never seemed likely to pierce the home defence, which, like that of the Grecians, was very sound.

 

From the London Press.

DOUBTFUL PENALTY

DID WILEMAN'S SHOT CROSS EXETER GOAL-LINE?

 

Southend just deserved their narrow victory over Exeter City. They were a trifle fortunate to achieve it, for their only goal was from a penalty about the merits of which there was some doubt.

 

At the same time Southend played in a more inspiring manner than on many other occasions this season. As usual, they were slow to settle down, whereas Exeter got into their stride in the first minute. The opening ten minutes produced many thrills in the home goalmouth, and had it not been for the glorious goalkeeping of Kebbell they might have easily lost two goals in that short period.

 

The incident which led to the only goal occurred three minutes before the interval. Evans, in clearing, was alleged to have handled the ball, and in spite of Exeter's strong protests a penalty was awarded. Wileman took the kick. His shot hit the underside of the crossbar, bounced on to the ground, and was cleared by Pym, but the referee decided the ball had been over the line.

 

Southend were the more aggressive side in the second half. Pym was often called upon, but towards the close Exeter made a great revival, and narrowly missed equalising. One drive from Whittaker hit the post with Kebbell well beaten.

 

Southend had much to thank Kebbell for. He was at his very best. Thomson and Probert were a good pair of backs, who played well after a weak opening, although their kicking never compared with that of Fort and Strettle, who were, after Kebbell, the most conspicuous figures on the field. They tackled vigorously, and kicked finely from all angles.

 

Southend's half-back line showed great improvement. Steel played a most intelligent game, Emery was always reliable, and Moon gave his best display of the season. The Exeter halves worked hard, but never supported their forwards well. As a line, Exeter's attack was superior to Southend's. Holt and Marshall on the wings were very tricky, and Whittaker led his line with judgment, and shot hard and straight.

 

CITY RESERVES v ROYAL IRISH 
Missed Chances in the First Half:

 

Exeter City Reserves were engaged this afternoon in a Plymouth and District League match at St. James's Park against the Royal Irish Regiment, who recently dismissed the Royal Scots from the Army Cup, but had yet to win a League engagement. The City had to make alterations, owing to Evans being required at Southend.

 

EXETER CITY:

Loram; Harding and Goddard;

Hunt, Pratt, and Kirby;

Baker, Tucker, Cox, Lovett, and Orr.

ROYAL IRISH:

Jones; Beattie and Clouter;

Aldred, Carnes, and Dorey;

Mackay, Ryan, Joslin, Greeley, and Murphy.

Referee:- Mr O.F.Passmore.

 

Pratt won the toss for the Grecians, and set the Regiment to face the sun. Lovett was offside to Orr's centre in the opening attack, and later on Carnes robbed Cox just in time. The first goal was scored by Tucker. Kirby worked his way through and sent in a long dropping shot. Jones gathered, but dropped the ball when Cox charged him, leaving Tucker with an empty net to fire into.

 

Goddard twice cleared when the Irish attacked, then Joslin just missed a ground centre by Mackay when a successful trapping of the ball would have meant a certain goal. After this, the City put up a lengthy attack, and Jones fielded a cross-shot from Orr, while Cox sent in an awkward dropping volley which shaved the bar and went over.

 

Loram was called upon to deal with a rasping shot from Grelley right on the target, and a minute later Cox failed with a grounder after Tucker had put him through. Kirby sustained an injury to his knee, but was soon able to resume, and the City missed scoring from a well placed corner by Orr. Exeter's left winger was subsequently fouled close in, but Aldredcleared the free-kick, and then Murphy swung across a nice centre which fell just over the bar.

 

Plenty of Support.

Cox made a very wild and clumsy attempt to increase the score from Lovett's pass, and later on missed a couple of chances of cutting through, being generally too slow. Loram did well to save a fine effort by Murphy, and the Irishmen were getting plenty of support from the crowd, which numbered about two thousand. Orr got through to the other end and swept the leather across the face of the Irishmen's goal, but with only Jones to beat Tucker miskicked and the chance was lost. Half-time: Reserves 1, Royal Irish nil.

 

Second Half.

Shortly after the resumption the Irishmen's goal had a narrow escape, following a centre by Orr. Jones then fielded a good shot from Kirby, who afterwards missed from a free-kickgiven against Aldred, just outside the penalty area. Pratt missed with a fierce volley, but generally speaking the visitors were putting up a very good performance, and Loram had to save at close quarters from Greeley.

 

Tucker scored the City's second goal with an excellent piece of dash and opportunism. Cox had sent in a. high overhead kick which Clouter was attempting to clear, when the Chippenham amateur nipped in and flashed the ball into the net with a lovely shot. Orr was fouled in the penalty area, and Kirby scored with an unstoppable oblique drive from the spot. In the last few minutes, with the Grecians piling on the pressure Jones saved twice from Pratt, and once from Lovett. Exeter thus won by three goals to nil to remain at the top of the Plymouth and District League table.