Wednesday, December 10th.

CITY RESERVES v EXMOUTH WEDNESDAY

 

The "friendly" between the above teams, which was to have been played at St. James's Park today, has been put off till a later date, owing to the recent rains.

 

The Exeter City management is desirous of preserving the turf at St James's, in view of next Saturday's important Southern League match against Swindon Town.

 

Saturday, December 13th.

 

Southern League: City v Swindon at St. James's Park

HOME CENTRE-FORWARD CARRIED OFF: CITY'S BAD LUCK

 

Today was a big sporting occasion for Exeter. At St. James's Park the City F.C. were facing Swindon Town, the finest team in the Southern League, whilst at St. Thomas's County Ground, the well advertised counter attraction, namely the Rugby Union County Championship match between Devon and Somerset was in progress. All the sporting gentry of Exeter and its surrounding districts were out, therefore, in full force.

 

The match at the "soccer" ground was rendered all the moreinteresting from the fact that, just as was the case last April, Swindon came here as League leaders. Their record in this campaign has been remarkable, even for them, - the more remarkable because for a lengthy spell they were without Harold Fleming, in whose absence Batty blossomed forth into a consistent goal-scorer. Their first ten matches were all won, and that was a feat which set the whole football world talking. Exeter, as is very often the case, made a poor start to the present season, but since the advent of Whittaker to the centre-forward position have greatly improved, and before today's game were eighth in the League table.

 

Pridham in the Exeter Team.

As nearly always happens when the "Railwaymen" are at the EverFaithful, the Grecians today could not field full strength. In the match against Queen's Park Rangers a fortnight ago, Marshall was crippled, and Evans, who played for the first time as an outside left at Cardiff last week, was again in that position today.

 

Another change, which, it was hoped, would make for additional strength in the forward line, was the playing of W.A.Pridham, the Torquay Town amateur, who has been showing excellent form all the season. This of course was his first experience of Southern League football, which is a much faster game than that of the Plymouth and District League.

 

Swindon were able to command the same side as beat Millwall on Saturday last, and Giles, an ex-soldier, had therefore succeeded in keeping his place as partner to Kay, at left-back.

CITY

Pym

Fort Strettle
Rigby Lagan Smith
Holt Pridham Whittaker McCann Evans

 

Referee:- Mr A.Tearle, of West Bromwich.

 

SWINDON

Holland Bown Wheatcroft Fleming Jefferson
Handley Silto Tout

Giles Kay

Skiller

The afternoon was delightfully fine, and the "gate" included a good many visitors from Torquay, who had journeyed to Exeter for the special purpose of giving Pridham a welcome.

 

Despite the big counter-attraction there was early promise of a good "gate", and numerous Swindon supporters were present, for an excursion had been run. Nearly all the Plymouth Argyle players, who had an idle day, were accommodated with seats at the front of the grandstand. Altogether there were about 6,000 spectators on the ground when Rigby led the Grecians out, to prolonged cheering.

 

Swindon then entered the arena, with Fleming at their head, and their appearance was the signal for another round of applause.

 

Fleming won the toss, and Exeter had to face a dazzling sun, which was calculated to be a big handicap. A new ball was used, and Whittaker kicked-off promptly at 2.30. There was a lot of midfield play until Strettle punted well down the pitch, and Skiller came out and saved. Strettle was soon in action again, for Jefferson was persistent on Swindon's right. A foul throw-in by the visitors saw the venue changed, and a weak clearance by Giles enabled Evans and McCann to make progress, and Skiller saved from Evans at close quarters.

 

Free kicks were given in rapid succession against Lagan and Fort, but Fort, who had fouled Wheatcroft, cleared the kick, and Whittaker, with Pridham in close attendance, took play to the Swindon end.

 

Back came Swindon, and the excitement was renewed when they were beaten off, and Whittaker darted through, whipping across a centre which Skiller fielded with difficulty. From a shrewd pass by Tout, Jefferson got away again, but closely watched by Smith he failed to get his centre across, and put behind.

 

Appeal for a Penalty.

A free kick to Swindon near the corner flag was well placed by Bolland, but Pym sprang to a great height and punched the leather away over the heads of a group of players clustered round his goal. Smith was injured, and required the attention of the trainer, and when play was resumed Pridham got a beautiful pass to Holt, who raced in but was checked by Handley. An appeal was made for a penalty, but only a corner was given, and this was cleared.

 

Great Scoring Chance.

A terrific shot by Rigby was saved by Skiller, and excitement was almost at fever heat when Holt broke through and forced a second corner. Then Jefferson once more beat Strettle, and made rapid progress along the right-wing, but his pass to Fleming was cut out by Lagan. A free kick to Swindon was ballooned over the bar by Tout. Exeter were surprising Swindon by the quality of some of their moves, but Pridhamfailed badly when a great chance of scoring came his way, but he sliced the ball wide in his hurried effort to find the net. This followed a free-kick, which Rigby put out along the carpet to Evans, who centred to the goalmouth. All that Pridham had to do was to tap the ball into the net, instead of making such a wild attempt.

 

Swindon Score.

Two minutes later Swindon scored through the inimitable skill and expertise of Fleming. He got the ball from a throw-in, turned about, and with a remarkable cross-shot directed the ball clean into the top left-hand corner of the net. It was a sudden shot which took everybody by surprise, and Pym had no earthly chance of saving it. An equaliser all but came when Pridham passed out to Holt, and Whittaker just failed to meet the centre with his head. At the other end Bown, receiving from Bolland, put the ball inches over the bar. Tout was injured, but resumed, and when Exeter had a free-kick Rigby drove the ball wide.

Half-time: Swindon 1 Exeter nil.

 

SECOND HALF

The City did not deserve to be a goal down at the interval, and Swindon owed practically everything to Fleming. The attendance at the restart looked to be the biggest of the season.

 

Fleming was practically through again in the first minute, butwas checked in the penalty area. Exeter broke away at length, and an intended centre by Pridham struck the side of the net. Down at the City end Pym twice saved, and Fleming was being given too much freedom. he was, nevertheless, in his most brilliant and elusive form, and almost impossible to tackle. McCann attempted to stop him once, and gave away a free-kick, though no foul was intended.

 

Another fast break-through by Fleming earned Swindon a corner, at which confident but vain appeals were made against Tout for hand-ball, but the referee simply shook his head, and the ball was slung out to Jefferson. The winger, who on today's form was second only to Fleming in the Swindon ranks, took the ball in his stride and won a corner off Strettle. From the flag-kick Bown jumped up and headed a good goal, though it was one which ought never to have been scored, for Tout had plainly handled in the preceding stage.

 

Whittaker Carried Off.

The crowd took none too kindly to the referee's oversight, and there was a scene when Exeter forced a corner, and the players appealed for a penalty for a bad foul on Whittaker. None was given, but the centre-forward was so seriously hurt that he had to be carried off the field on a stretcher, to the consternation of the crowd. Despite the handicap of losing Whittaker, the City played up with pluck and enthusiasm, and Skiller had to go on his knees to a wicked-looking cross-drive from Holt. Strettle went centre-forward, leaving Fort as the only back, and with this new formation the City strove gallantly but unsuccessfully for a score.

 

More Excitement.

Fort, when called upon, did brilliant service at back. There were now only fifteen minutes to go, and Swindon looked to have the game well in hand. But more excitement was yet to come, for Strettle fastened on to the leather and barged his way through, only to shoot too high. Directly afterwards Fleming made tracks for the Exeter goal, but was stopped by Fort, but Jefferson obtained the ball, and from his centre Bownnarrowly missed. Then play was transferred to the other end, and Skiller made a brilliant save from Holt, and in the next move McCann skied the leather high over the bar from a reasonable opening.

 

Pym saved a fine effort by Jefferson, and play was again carried to the other end, and almost on time Skiller prevented McCann's shot from scoring. Final:

 

SWINDON ​ 2

EXETER ​ 0

 

Last season: Swindon 3 Exeter 1. In 1911-12: Swindon 4 Exeter 1.

 

Note:- The County Championship match at St. Thomas's resulted in Devon beating Somerset by a dropped goal and three tries (13) to nil. The crowd numbered about eight thousand.

 

GORDON HIGHLANDERS v CITY RESERVES.
Plymouth & District League.

 

Played at Plymouth. Loram lost the toss, and Exeter kicked off against the wind and sun. The Gordons were the first to become dangerous, and Loram fell full length to save from Davidson. The City then became aggressive, and Brooksbank passed to Goddard, who shot wide. Exeter continued to press for some time, and Orr centred to Lovett, who opened the scoring. A bout of passing between Lewis and Brooksbank produced an opening, and Brooksbank gave to Lovett, who easily beat Sutherland for goal number two.

 

Brooksbank headed Orr's corner kick into the net for the City's third goal.

Half-time: Exeter Reserves 3, Gordons nil.

 

The second half opened sensationally, Brooksbank scoring in the first minute. Hannigan scored for the Gordons, reducing the lead from the penalty spot. Soon after this Exeter again resumed the attack, and Sutherland (goalkeeper) had a busy time, saving well from Brooksbank, Lovett, and Orr.

Result:- City Reserves 4, Gordon Highlanders 1.

The Reserves were represented by: Loram, Harding and Goddard; Hunt, Pratt, and "another"; Cox, Lewis, Brooksbank, Lovett, and Orr.

 

FROM THE LONDON PRESS: CITY V SWINDON.

Exeter City made a good fight against Swindon, but failed to prevent the League leaders achieving their third consecutive win at St. James's Park. The City lost Whittaker, who was injured in a goalmouth scramble, midway through the second half, but remarkably enough, made a much bolder show when they were reduced to ten men than they had with the full complement of players. Their adoption of the one-back game prevented Swindon from making headway for long periods.

 

Exeter made strenuous endeavours to recover the ground lost in the first hour, but persistent though their attack was, and busy though the Swindon goalkeeper was at times kept, they did not look like getting goals.

 

Swindon won because they had the stronger and cleverer line of forwards, and were at least as well served as were Exeter in the other departments.

 

Fleming, who was not always fairly treated by the City players, Got the first goal with a grand cross-shot, the ball travelling fast and reaching the top left-hand corner of the net. Pym was so thoroughly beaten that he scarcely moved.

 

This gave Swindon the lead at half-time. Bown headed his side's second goal after the interval from a well-taken corner kick by Jefferson, and from that moment the visitors had the match well in hand. Their defence performed splendidly.

 

As a result of this victory Swindon have a clear lead of six points over all their rivals.