NORWICH CITY ​ 3 EXETER CITY ​ 1

Over three thousand persons witnessed a stirring game on the ground of Norwich City, where the Canaries gained their second victory of the week. Rain fell heavily during the first half an hour, and again towards the end of an excellent match.

NORWICH CITY

Denoon

Houghton Mackenzie

Collins Martin Bell

Potter Woods Valentine Ritchie Wilson

Referee:- Mr H.Thompson, West Norwood.

EXETER CITY

Goodwin(F) Lovett Goodwin(W) Green Holt

Smith Lagan Rigby

Strettle Marshall

Pym

Playing quick football, Exeter seriously threatened the home goal, and Denoon early won the affections of the spectators by his smart clearance of a hot shot at short range from W.Goodwin. Wilson and Valentine figured in the first really dangerous move of Norwich, and Wilson also initiated the movement which ended with Woods scoring with a slanting shot at the end of twenty-two minutes' play. Norwich afterwards showed marked improvement. They soon lost their lead, however, Houghton, probably unaware that Denoon had recovered position after diverting a centre at full length, knocking down W.Goodwin's shot in front of the bar. The penalty kick was twice taken before W.Goodwin placed Exeter on even terms. On the first occasion the referee's whistle went as Denoon parried the shot, and Goodwin, following up, netted. On the second occasion Denoon found Goodwin's low drive too hot to hold, and the ball had crossed the line before he recovered it. Six minutes elapsed, chiefly of pressure from Exeter, then Norwich regained the lead, Wilson centring and Valentine, only a few yards from the goal, heading the ball past Pym. The remainder of the first half was a fine struggle, Norwich especially attacking with much vigour, and just before the half time interval Wilson centred for Woods to increase their lead.

The second half was barren of goals. Exeter applied a great deal of pressure and forced eight corners, and several times Denoon's smartness saved the situation, whilst more than once the Exeter forwards failed when success seemed at hand.

Flattered by the Score.

Pym was once fortunate in being in the line of a hot shot from Ritchie. Curiously enough some of Norwich's best work was done during the twelve minutes that Valentine was off injured, and on returning he went to outside-right. On the run of the play Norwich were flattered by the score. The two goals' margin in their favour was due to their greater readiness to embrace opportunities. Exeter's forwards displayed skill and method, and went hot-footed for goal, but the finish was apt to be disappointing. The line was well led by W.Goodwin, and the assistance from Holt and F.Goodwin in carrying out movements was entirely satisfactory. Denoon thwarted them many times, and Exeter took away with them a good impression of the big ex-Chelsea goalkeeper, whose play was one of the best features of Norwich's defence. It was not Denoon's fault when Exeter scored, for he was in the line of the ball when Houghton fisted it out, and on other occasions his anticipation and activity saved the situation when Exeter believed they had him beaten. Mackenzie was steadier and more successful against Holt than Houghton was against F.Goodwin, and of the three hard working half-backs Martin was the most effective. Wilson was the chief thorn in the side of Exeter. All three Norwich goals came from his centres, and he also put in more than one good shot himself. A difficult man to stop, Wilson has the tenacity of a terrier and can always be depended upon to do something useful with the ball. Ritchie and Valentine fed him well, and until his injury Valentine played a forceful game in the centre. Woods and Potter received fewer opportunities, but nevertheless were a useful wing combination. Mention has already been made of the Exeter forwards, who were well supported, Lagan and Smith especially doing well, and of the two backs Strettle took the eye most.

Pym had a chance to save the second goal, but otherwise his work, which was less arduous than Denoon's, was quite beyond reproach. It was a hard game in more senses than one, and an amount of ill-feeling crept into the play during the second half, tempers being lost.

Reserves Friendly 

The following teams played a friendly match at St. James's Park.

City:- Loram; Lovell, Bowden; Cox, Pratt, Evans; Baker, Lewis, Hunter, Cowie, Dockray.

Argyle:- Craig; Pye, Black; Davis, Durnin, Wright; Gosling, Gallogley, Kellock, Adams, Turnbull.