CARDIFF CITY v EXETER CITY.

February 6th at Ninian Park, Cardiff.

It took Cardiff City eighty minutes to obtain the goal which enabled them to defeat Exeter City, and incidentally to avenge themselves for the reverse at Exeter in October.

It was an excellent goal, Barnett being the successful marksman. He received the ball and made straight for the Exeter goal, eluding both Marshall and Strettle. When a few yards from his objective he hesitated, and Pym, anticipating a right foot shot, planted himself in a fine position. He was quite deceived, however, for in some inexplicable manner Barnett, with the left foot, hooked the ball into the corner of the net, Pym being beaten all the way.

Exeter were perhaps a trifle unlucky to lose, territorially having more of the play than the Welsh Metropolitans. The City swung the ball about with considerable freedom but quite failed to penetrate the Cardiff defence. In the first half W.Goodwin produced an early thrill by running through to within a yard or two of the Cardiff goal, but Kneeshaw came out and cleared.

Each goal underwent narrow escapes, Exeter being particularly fortunate when a drive from Barnett struck the bottom of the post and rebounded into play.

Pym the Hero.

It was a game in which the defence was far superior to the attack, but whereas Exeter were a very well-balanced eleven, the Cardiff defence bore the brunt of the work.

The hero of the game was Pym, who, although continually called upon, kept an excellent goal, and was indifferent to all manner of shots. Two clearances from West and one from Evans gained for the Exeter goalkeeper the admiration of all.

He was well supported by Marshall and Strettle. In the first half Strettle was the more conspicuous of the pair but later on, with Beare injured, most of the work fell upon Marshall. In the matter of defending the City goal Strettle is superior to his partner in kicking but Marshall's rugged tackling is a valuable asset in his favour.

Rigby was the outstanding player in the intermediate line, his tackling and accurate placing of the ball being one of the features of the game. Lagan and Smith both acquitted themselves with credit. Goodwin's great fame had preceded him in the minds of the Cardiff City players, for he was given the very minimum of scope. What little he did accomplish, however, stamped him as a centre forward of merit. Apart from his well known skill, he also displayed courage, never shirking a meeting with either of the backs, sometimes both of them together, or Keenor.

Dockray once again was the most prominent wing. He displayed an excellent command over the ball and contributed several fine runs. On each occasion, however, he finished the effort badly, his centre either going out of play or being snapped up by an opponent.

The gate receipts amounted to £165, attendance 6,000.

The sides were:-

Cardiff: Kneeshaw; Brittan, Layton; Harvey, Keenor, Hardy; Beare, Goddard, West, Barnett, and J.Evans.

Exeter: Pym; Marshall, Strettle; Rigby, Lagan, Smith; Holt, A.Evans, W.Goodwin, Lovett, and Dockray.

Referee: Mr H.Thompson, of London.