SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26TH.

Southern League.

BRIGHTON & HOVE 2 EXETER CITY 1.

Won by a Penalty

BRIGHTON HARD PRESSED BY EXETER CITY

On their own ground Brighton followed up their good form in away matches by defeating Exeter City by the odd goal in three. As it happened, the deciding point came from a disputed penalty kick, and although the Albion did just about enough to deserve victory, Exeter were far from being disgraced. Indeed, the City played with great keenness all through, and their fast and open tactics often put Brighton in a tight corner.

BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION

Whiting

Spencer Dexter

Booth Coomber Batey

Longstaff Miller Jones Webb Tyler

Referee:- Mr. T. Kirkham, of Burslem.

EXETER CITY

Goodwin(F) Lovett Goodwin(W) Green Holt
Smith Pratt Rigby
Strettle Marshall
Pym

The Albion tried to settle down to orthodox close playing but Exeter would have none of it, and succeeded, in quite a large degree, in making their opponents play the game that suited them best. They had an equal share of the exchanges up to half-time, and it was not until the second period was well advanced that Brighton got anything like a convincing grip of the situation. During the last twenty minutes they certainly put on a fair amount of pressure, but Exeter were as resolute in defence as they had previously been enterprising in attack, and there was only a matter of nine minutes to go when the penalty incident proved their undoing. The pace and dash of Exeter's forwards in the early stages of the struggle provided Brighton's defenders with plenty of urgent occupation, but the City finished much of their approach work rather wildly, and this, combined with the sterling defence of Dexter and Spencer, accounted for the score-sheet remaining a blank until twenty-one minutes had been ticked off. Then the City forwards swept down the field at a great pace, and Fred Goodwin placed a centre so accurately in the goalmouth that it was easy for Billy Goodwin to drive the ball home well wide of Whiting's right hand.

Pym Hard Pressed.

Unsteadiness in both attack and defence looked very unpromising for the Albion, but ultimately Jones managed to get his forwards going in improved form, and Pym was thoroughly tested in handing out lofty screw shots by Longstaff, Jones, and Tyler. In another incident he only escaped by the skin of his teeth, as it were, being charged through his own goal when fielding a high shot from Webb. It was a piece of good judgment in following up by Tyler that led to the equaliser after half an hour's play. having rushed the backs he whipped across a fast centre which Jones took on the run and drove home.

The second half was not so fast as the first, but the sides were well matched until the last twenty minutes. Then the home forwards looked like gradually wearing down the opposition, but although they often beat the half-backs Pym held the fort so valiantly, and was so skilfully supported by his backs, that a division of the points seemed highly probable. Unfortunately for Exeter, Marshall was adjudged to have handled in clearing an awkward centre, and the referee ordered a penalty. Exeter hotly disputed it, but Mr Kirkham was so certain of his ruling that he would not go even to the extent of consulting one of his linesmen. Miller made no mistake with the penalty, and in that way a stubbornly fought game was won and lost.

A Favourable Impression.

Exeter City have a fast and well balanced team, and created a highly favourable impression. Pym had more to do than Whiting and did it thoroughly well. Strettle and Marshall, two splendid backs, were very prominent in defence, but only Rigby showed his best form in the intermediate line. Lagan was away through injury, and Pratt, his deputy, was not conspicuous. W.Goodwin led the forwards skilfully and received capable support from Holt, Lovett, and F.Goodwin. Green had a quiet game. For Brighton, Whiting kicked out prodigiously, but hadvery few direct shots to stop, thanks chiefly to the dashing defence of Dexter and Spencer. Batey and Coomber tackled and cleared skilfully at half-back, but Booth, usually so reliable, misplaced many passes and was quite out of form. Nor were the forwards at their best. For the most part they were hustled off their game with surprising ease. About 4,000 spectators, including a detachment of slightly wounded soldiers, watched the game.

RESULTS TO SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26TH (INCLUSIVE)