SATURDAY JANUARY 23RD.  

Southern League.

GILLINGHAM 0 EXETER CITY 0.

The Kentish eleven, who have not met with any success at all since Christmas Day, secured a welcome point at the expense of Exeter at Gillingham today, when a fairly interesting game ended in a pointless draw. The conditions were unfavourable, as there were two inches of snow on the ground, and foggy weather served to make things even worse. In fact, there was little expectation of the game being played to a finish. Fortunately the atmosphere cleared a little just after the interval, and the light permitted the match to be concluded.

GILLINGHAM

Bailey

Mosley Leslie

Gray Lee Johnson

Tatton Pinkney Weightman Thomas Winsett

Referee:- Mr T.W.Annal, of London.

EXETER CITY

Dockray Lovett Goodwin Evans Holt
Smith Lagan Rigby
Strettle Marshall
Pym

The “Hoppers”, who were not at full strength, fully deserved to divide the points, though at the same time they were not such an effective team as Exeter City. There was more method in the work of the City forwards, and at times their crisply directed short passing was a delight to watch, but they were never able to break down a sound defence.

Throughout the opening half the exchanges were of a very even character, although Exeter had more of the play than Gillingham. They were not so dangerous, however, and it was the brilliance of Pym alone in keeping out a fast low shot from Lee that saved them from being in the minority at the interval.

The Gillingham defence was severely tried at the commencement of the second half. Evans gave Bailey a difficult shot to stop, and later he had extremely bad luck when he hit the crossbar. A strong rally by Gillingham followed, and for a time they pressed almost continuously. Tatton and Lee brought the best out of Pym, and Thomas all but scored with a hefty cross-drive. Weightman missed a glorious chance through slipping when in touch with the goal.

Too Much Dribbling.

The home forwards might possibly have done better had they indulged in more shooting practice. Too often they endeavoured to dribble close in, and were promptly knocked off the ball by the backs. Winsett, a local player who was given a trial at outside left, made a creditable debut, but he met his master in Marshall, who generally came out of things his superior.

Weightman worked hard in the centre, and was responsible for many deft touches, but it was seldom that he had a chance of getting a shot in. Tatton and Pinkney were a trifle weak in the first half, but improved.

Both sets of forwards were frequently beaten by the pace of the ball, though the Exeter players adapted themselves to the conditions more readily than their opponents. Holt and Dockray were two speedy outside men, although Prone to be caught offside. Evans was the pick of the line, and Goodwin showed much cleverness and resource. The middle line was strong, whilst as a pair Marshall and Strettle were more effective than the home backs.

City Reserves.

Exeter City Reserves beat Royal Medical Corps (Paignton) by two goals to one, at St. James's Park.

Saturday January 30th.

Exeter City should have played Brighton in a Southern League fixture at A. James's Park, but the match was postponed due to Brighton having to play their English Cup-tie, v. Birmingham, in the second round. Cup-ties take precedence over League matches.

THE SOUTHERN LEAGUE:
RESULTS TO JANUARY 30TH