Exeter City won an overwhelming victory at St. James's Park, just failing to equal their Southern League record for their ground by one goal. Prior to today's game Southend had only given away seven goals in ten matches, so that their collapse was an extraordinary one. The only change in Southend's defence was at right half, where Bassett, the former Exeter player, came in for Frost, whilst the City restored Green to his proper position of inside right. He is Exeter's most bustling forward, and his exclusion against Swindon was never understood by the club's supporters

CITY:

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

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

SOUTHEND:​

Young Burton Burrill Wileman Mayo

Woodward Hamilton Bassett

Neill Marshall

Lonsdale

Exeter were two goals to the good inside ten minutes, Green scoring the first after Billy Goodwin had missed a centre from his namesake, and W.Goodwin the second from Holt's pass.

The City went through the Southend defence with remarkable ease, and seldom has such feeble resistance been seen at Exeter. A blunder by the backs gave Fred Goodwin an opportunity, and he drove a high shot to the left of Lonsdale into the net for the third goal. Southend temporarily revived, and 17m let a centre from Young slip from his grasp into the net, Burrill following up and making sure of the point.

Another collapse by Southend was disastrous to them, Billy Goodwin shooting the fourth goal, and Green following with two more in quick succession. The game was remarkable for its swift exchange of happenings. Pym effected a really brilliant save, at the expense of a corner, from Burrill.

Half-time:-

CITY ​ 6 SOUTHEND ​ 1

Second Half.

Early in the second half Lonsdale was quickly at work, saving smartly a free kick by Rigby just outside the penalty area. The City forwards were not so nippy in this period, and they had a tendency to infringe the offside law rather frequently. This violation lost W.Goodwin a fine opening after a magnificent single-handed effort by Rigby, whilst Holt seldom got away. Pym tipped over the crossbar a centre from Young, and Smith was conspicuous for a timely clearance when Burrill and Wileman had the Exeter goal at their mercy.

The Grecians rallied in the closing stages, and Lonsdale was beaten a seventh time by a wonderful shot from Lovett after the custodian had cleared a previous fine shot from Lovett.

Southend's Poor Form.

Exeter City's exhibition during the first half was brilliant, and little exertion was needed to score. There was little or no understanding between the Southend defenders, and Lonsdale was badly supported. The two Goodwins and Green were the pick of a thrustful line, and behind Rigby, Lagan, and Smith gave them plenty of assistance. At times the half backs were liable to overtake the forwards, in fact. The Exeter backs were not as sound as they mostly have been this season, and Pym, with the exception of one blunder, was safe.

Southend were the poorest team seen at St. James's Park this season, yet some of their work showed them to be possessed of ability. Their failure was extraordinary, for certain it is that their backs and half-backs were overrun by excited forwards.

Bassett did fairly well for a first appearance, and that on his old ground, but as an effective stopping trio the half-backs were only moderate. Marshall and Neill were faulty, and the chief work fell upon Lonsdale. He had no chance with any of the shots that beat him, and in the first half he was to be felt sorry for rather than blamed. About 5,000 were present.

City Reserves 

Exeter City Reserves beat Wellington by six goals to nil, the proceeds of the match going to the Belgian Relief Fund.