SOUTHERN LEAGUE: SATURDAY OCTOBER 31ST

Like Real Champions:

SWINDON AT THEIR BEST AGAINST EXETER

Exeter City had a bad time in the Southern League game today at Swindon. The Champions played the kind of football that landed them at the top of the table last season, and ran out winners by four clear goals. Their victory would have been more pronounced but for the excellent goalkeeping of Pym. The Topsham fisherman made a score of splendid saves, one from Bolland being the best piece of play in the game.

Rigby and his fellow defenders were hard pressed for three fourths of the game, and as a consequence the forwards had to forage for their own opportunities. Now and again they moved in unison but they finished poorly, and Skiller's charge was never in danger.

Swindon scored twice in the opening half, Tout obtaining the first goal from a free kick, and Jefferson the second after he had dribbled past four defenders. Pym was continually in action, and in the early part of the second half he saved at least once from each of the Swindon forwards. At length Denyerbeat him with a great drive, and the scoring was completed by Down, who worked himself close in before directing the ball into the net to the left of the goalkeeper.

SWINDON TOWN

Skiller

Kay Milton

Tout Silto Handley

Jefferson Fleming Denyer Bown Bolland

Referee:- Mr C.C.Fallowfield, of London.

EXETER CITY

Goodwin(F) Cowie Goodwin(W) Lovett Holt
Smith Lagan Rigby

Strettle Marshall

Pym

Swindon, commencing in hurricane fashion, quickly assumed the lead over the men of Exeter, for after five minutes' play a pass from Jefferson went across the field to Bolland. Bollandsent it back and Jefferson obtained possession, but after beating a man was fouled. Tout took the free kick, and his shot was deflected into the net by one of Exeter's defenders. Two minutes later Dexter, who, obtaining the ball by means of clever feinting and swerving, beat three opponents, and ultimately sent in a hefty shot with his left foot, beating the goalkeeper pointless.

Exeter, after the interval, played much better, but although they rallied in spirited fashion they finished very poorly, and several fine chances went astray. Pym, on the other hand, was kept busily engaged, and two saves by him from Bolland and Denyer were sensational.

Swindon's third goal followed clever work by Bolland, the ball going across the goal to Denyer, who put Bown in possession. The inside left hooked the ball over Pym's head as the goalkeeper dashed out to tackle him. Marshall had fallen back into goal and essayed to head the leather away, but there was too much pace on it. Close upon time Jefferson centred, Denyer turned the ball into the middle, and Strettle endeavoured to head away, but in came Bown to secure possession and score a fine goal.

Exeter's Poor Forwards.

Although so well beaten the City played in spirited fashion. Their defence was excellent, and with a less capable custodian than Pym the score would have been greater. The forwards combined with each other well, but to little purpose, for much of their passing was aimless, while their knowledge of the position of the goalposts was of a very elementary character.

On only one occasion was Skiller seriously troubled, and that was by a header from Lagan.

Swindon were on their best behaviour and played a delightful game. The work of the forwards showed a vim and crispness that has been lacking this season. Skiller's position was a sinecure, so well did Kay and Milton defend. Kay's intervention was first-class, while the tackling of his partner left nothing to be desired. The middle line worked with its accustomed energy, all three men excelling.

The Brilliance of Bolland.

Forward there was plenty of dash to aid cleverly conceived football. Short passes were interspersed with long swings from wing to wing. Indeed, the inter-changing movements between the forwards were a feature of the game.

Jefferson, clever in his dribbling, showed rare persistence, and while his centring left nothing to be desired, his shooting showed force and accuracy. Denyer, full of enterprise, plied his wings in textbook centre-forward style, and his inclusion lent additional dash to the attacking force.

 Bown dribbled in and out in his bewildering manner, and there was method in everything he did. Bolland has never played better.

His pace was terrific, his footwork dazzling, and he did not waste a single ball; indeed, it is no exaggeration to say that his was a brilliant performance, and that he was the best man on the field.

Pym showed himself to be a wonderful goalkeeper, his punching and fielding were great, and his judgment unfailing. Marshall and Strettle supported him finely, and the trio defender with stubborn resolution. Rigby and Smith failed to hold the men opposing them, but worked hard, and in Lagan the City possess a rare spoiling centre-half. There was plenty of dash in the forward line, Holt supplying most of it, but the real danger to Swindon came from Fred Goodwin, a skilful and speedy winger.

 City Reserves 

At St James's Park the City Reserves defeated a Plymouth and District League Eleven by four goals to nil.