Watford v City

EXETER SURPRISE THE CHAMPIONS

Brilliant Goal-keeping by Pym

Played at Cassio Road.

Wednesday, November 26. 1919

WATFORD 0 EXETER CITY 1.

At the Watford ground, Exeter City considerably surprised the League Champions, defeating them by a goal to nil.

Ronald was unable to turn out for the "Hornets," and his ab sence had much to do with their downfall, the shooting of the forwards being at times feeble. The Exeter defence, with Medcalf of Bideford at left-back, played well, and Pym was the saviour of his side on many occasions. The teams lined up:

WATFORD
Williams
Horsman Gregory (F)
Gregory (V) Barnshaw Wilkinson Bassett Toone Edmonds White Waterall

Referee: Mr H. Thomps on, of London.

Dockray Goodwin Oldacre Makin Southcombe
Mitton Popplewell Rigby Medcalf Coleburne
Pym

EXETER CITY


Today's match at Cassio Road between Watford and Exeter is a reminder of the recent railway strike. The West Hertfordshire club failed to rise to the occasion when the imminence of the trouble was known, and, taking their team to one of the local railway stations on the morning of September 27 were painfully surprised at finding themselves at a full stop! Their failure to appear at St James's Park occasioned great disappointment, as at that juncture Watford and Exeter City were the only undefeated clubs in the League, and it was felt that a meeting between them would provide a game full of thrills, not to mention a record "gate." For their lack of enterprise and loyalty Watford were fined the sum of £50 by the League, and ordered to accept a midweek home match with Exeter City, and to come to St James's Park on February 7 next, the date on which the Grecians would in the ordinary course of events have visited them. Some critics are of the opinion that Watford will this season repeat their success of 1914-15, when they won the Championship of the Southern League.

Exeter City have fallen from grace this month to some extent, and today's match was of more than usual interest, inasmuch as the management were introducing two new players, namely Medcalf, of Bideford, and Southcombe, of South Molton. They were two who figured very conspicuously in the exhibition match at Barnstaple a week ago, and Exeter City were quite confident that neither of these well known amateurs would let the club down in a professional match. It was also decided to keep Oldacre at centre-forward and to re-introduce Goodwin at inside-left to partner Dockray. The City team stayed at Watford overnight, and owing to the scarcity of accommodation had to be divided between two hotels.

The Game.

Exeter were first away, Oldacre feeding the left wing in good style. Horsman cleared, but the Grecians came again, and a shot from long range by Goodwin travelled over the bar. Watford were slow in settling down, their half-backs not getting their usual grip on the game. White made a fast run and crossed the ball to the centre, but Edmonds was not in position soon enough, and Medcalf cleared with a huge kick. A tremendous shot by Edmonds missed by about a yard, and White shot into the side of the net. Toone was put through with a clear opening but Pym rushed out of his goal and bundled him off the ball, and the City goalie then saved two shots by Toone and one by Waterall. Again from White, then from Edmonds, Pym was in busy action, and he was given a warm round of applause as the players left the field at half time.

Interval score:
Watford nil, Exeter City nil.

Second Half.

Watford were soon at work on the restart, Edmonds and Toone going close. The City defence, with Medcalf frequently in picture, was keeping it's end up very well, but it was Pym who was the hero. Once he fielded a centre from Bassett with three forwards almost on top of him, then made a sensational save from a free kick, taken with every possible ounce of force, by Val Gregory. Pym's magnificent goalkeeping roused the crowd to high enthusiasm, and he was the saviour of his side. Fifteen minutes from the end, however, Watford got a shock. A miskick by Fred Gregory let in Makin, who scored an easy goal.