SATURDAY JANUARY 16TH:

CITY v NORWICH

West Conquers East:

Exeter 2 Norwich C.

Norwich City made the long journey from East to West to share the fate of most clubs who visit St. James's Fark. It is true to state that they were greatly handicapped by an injury to Wilson in the early stages, necessitating first his transfer to the left wing and subsequently his retirement. But the "Canaries" seldom played well enough to beat Exeter, whose forward combination and speed, and the defensive strength of Rigby, Lagan, and Smith made them full value for their victory.

A crowd of about 2,500 people, including a large proportion of men in khaki, watched the game.

CITY:

Pym

Marshall Strettle

Rigby Lagan Smith

Holt Evans W.Goodwin Lovett Dockray

Referee:- Mr A.R.Farrant, of Bristol.

NORWICH

Woods Ritchie Wilson Taylor Potter
Molyneux Woodlands Collins
Mackenzie Allen

Lansdale

The first half far exceeded the second in interest, and the gusty violence of a diagonal wind helped to keep it lively. The Exonians had the better of the attacking work, the persistence and speed of Dockray, the clever distribution of passes by Goodwin, and the calculating efforts of Holt, serving to keep the Norwich defenders busy. Such excellent use did Exetermake of their opportunities that at the interval they were two goals up.

This is not to say that Norwich did not have a chance. Three times at least, as the result of clever forward manoeuvring, they made good openings, and the opportunities which came to Ritchie and Potter were such that they should have resulted in goals. But with clear shots at favourable range and angle they fired over the crossbar. The best shot of the first half was by Woodlands, from whom the ball swerved over the bar with Pym beaten. But while Norwich had to be content with these occasional raids the Grecians were constantly attacking, weaving nice patterns always with a running forward thread, and they well deserved the two goals that were scored. The first was obtained by Dockray after twelve minutes' play. Goodwin deceived Lansdale and gave the ball to Dockray, who scored from an acute angle.

Norwich City's Handicap.

Several times afterwards a second goal seemed imminent, but it was left to Holt, who a few minutes previously had put one against the crossbar, to score, with a long centre from near the corner flag. The wind carried the ball over Lansdale's head into the goal.

The second half would not bear comparison with the first. Flay was scrambling and almost devoid of incident. For at least half an hour it was practically confined to the Norwich territory, and some of the harassed defenders, notably Allen, got a little bad tempered, and earned some criticism from the crowd. Twice this led to free-kicks just outside the penalty area from which the visitors' goal had narrow escapes. Lansdale, who was shaken in a collision with Holt, performed heroic deeds in this half, saving certain goals.

Pym, on the other hand, was only seriously tested once, and that was a long shot from Taylor which the goalkeeper caught.

It is difficult to estimate how far Norwich were prejudiced by Wilson's incapacity, but it certainly played havoc with their forwards' combination. Potter was the most dangerous man of the line. Woodlands was ever prominent among the defenders, and was fairly well supported by Collins and Molyneux, but Allen cannot count himself by any stretch of the imagination against the slightly-built but elusive Dockray.

Exeter City's defence was in good form, and its main features were the sturdiness of Lagan, the volleying of Strettle, and the tackling of Smith. Forward, Goodwin was an excellent distributor, and. Dockray and Holt ever dangerous raiders. Lovett would have even more useful than he was had he been prepared to shoot on two or three occasions when he was well within range.

It is difficult to remember a single player who has made such a rapid advance since joining the ranks of Exeter City than John Dockray. He is already being spoken of among local supporters as the best outside left the City have ever had, with the possible exception of Ben Ives.