City v Portsmouth

THE LEAGUE LEADERS DEFEATED

Grecians Emerge
Better Than the Best: 

Saturday, March 27,
at St James's Park.

EXETER CITY 2 PORTSMOUTH 0.

Tremendous interest was created by the visit of Portsmouth to St James's Park this afternoon, not merely because they have been leading the Southern League for the past five months, but by reason also of their amazing "away" records. Since October 25, when they lost at Luton by two clear goals, Portsmouth had not only been immune from defeat on the grounds of rival clubs: none of their opponents had succeeded in penetrating their defence.

It was found necessary to make a late alteration in the City team today, as Goodwin reached the ground shortly before three o'clock and reported himself fairly fit, but not completely re covered, and it was decided that Green, who had been kept at the ground in reserve, should play in his stead. Crawshaw, came in at right half, as Rigby was on the injured list following his mishap last week at Newport. The Portsmouth team arrived in Exeter last night, and showed no change from the advertised eleven.
Despite the gloomy, showery weather, the crowd commenced to assemble early, and amongst the notabilities in attendance were noticed Mr Peter Mc William, the manager of Tottenham Hotspur F.C., who walked around the field with Mr J.I.Pengelly prior to the start, and Mr S.Allen, the manager, and Mr Plaister, director, of Swindon Town. It has been noticed that members of the Swindon Town directorate have been in attendance at several of the City's recent matches, home and away.

There were fully 7,500 spectators present a quarter of hour from the start, and the crowd was still streaming in fast at the popular entrance. As the time for the start of the game approached, the crowd had increased to nearly nine thousand. A special and very enjoyable programme of music was given by the Exeter City Military Band, under Mr George Newman, soprano solos also being contributed by Miss Florence Newman. This was a special arrangement in connection with the St Dunstan's Home for blinded soldiers, for which a collection was made before the match and at half-time. The Band very generously dispensed with their collection in order that the special effort might benefit to the fullest extent. 

CITY
Pym 
Coleburne Strettle
Crawshaw Popplewell Mitton
Oldacre Makin Green Lovett Dockray

Referee:- Mr R.R.Crump.

Youtman Armstrong Turner Stringfellow Hogg
Abbott Harwood Thompson
Knight Probert
Robson
POMPEY

The visitors were out at 3.25 o'clock, and were barely on the field when Pym appeared, leading the Grecians. The ground was packed, and the noise of the cheering was deafening as the two groups of players took up their customary positions for their "shooting-in" practice at the respective goals. Pym won the toss in competition with Arthur Knight, the English International, and promptly chose his favourite first-half goal, the one at the St James's Road end.

The crowd had now increased to nine thousand people, almost as many as had been present at the "Devon Derby" on Boxing Day. Turner kicked off, but Portsmouth lost the ball to Mitton, who sent a forceful pass to Green. The centre-forward turned the ball to Makin, who shot wide. From the goal-kick Makin obtained possession and fed Oldacre, who made several yards' progresss, but was bundled over by Knight and a free kick was given against the Portsmouth skipper. An exciting scrimmage then followed in the goalmouth until Lovett's shot cannoned off an opponent, the ball going behind. The corner was cleared, and play transferred to the Exeter half by Probert. Hogg rounded Strettle and sent across to Stringfellow, but Pym dived in and caught the ball in masterly fashion before the forward could get his boot to it. Weak marking by the Exeter defence enabled Portsmouth to win a corner, and the ball came to Armstrong, who was tempted to try a shot, but the leather went sailing over the crossbar.

Exeter's Direct Football.

Thompson handled in attempting to stop Dockray, and Mitton's free kick went along the carpet to the left winger, whose centre was headed for goal by Green. The ball rebounded off Harwood, whereupon Green shot it smartly into the side-netting. Oldacre next wound up a capital movement with a swift cross-shot, which Robson saved, and play was fast and exciting, with Exeter City slightly the better of two good sides. Their direct and forceful play, against a team of Portsmouth's calibre, was a revelation, and it was a sound policy to bang the ball for goal whenever an opportunity presented itself.

Crawshaw was giving splendid service behind the right wing, and he distinguished himself in defence also, particularly with a powerful header which cleared a dangerous looking centre from Armstrong. From their own half Exeter broke away, Makin leading the rush, and Robson did well to save a bumpy shot from Green. The ball was again put over close to Pompey's goal by Dockray, and Robson saved shots from Lovett and Makin in turn. At half time the score sheet was still blank.

Second Half.

Pym pulled up Turner when he broke through between the backs, and also gathered a hot shot from Stringfellow. Armstrong, who was very lively, was injured in a collision with Crawshaw, but it was not serious and he quickly resumed. Robson, showing fine anticipation, saved a header from Makin right under the bar, and tipped over the bar a forcing shot from Popplewell. In the next minute Makin was dribbling through when he was deliberately up ended in the penalty area. The referee was close by, and had no option but to award a penalty. Popplewell took the kick very coolly, and with a hard, low shot drove the ball past Robson and into the net for the opening goal of the match, and the first against Pompey away from home for five months. The goal was greeted with tumultous cheering from all round the ground.

Pompey tried hard to get into their stride, but could make no real progress against Popplewell and his fellow defenders, and whenever they did get through there was always Pym to bar the way. The irrepressible Dockray was meanwhile causing more trouble at the other end of the field, and one of his centres ran along the Portsmouth crossbar with the defence beaten pointless. With eighteen minutes to go the City's fine persistence rewarded. Oldacre and Makin co-operated in a dazzling piece of fast headwork on the right wing, and when the ball came across was further to Green he shot without hesitation from twenty yards' range, the ball crashing into the net a foot inside the upright. The City nearly added a third goal to their tally eight minutes from the end, Makin shooting narrowly wide with Robson beaten. It was a glorious victory and a very fine achievement; one in which the club, the players, and their supporters may rightly take pride.

PLYMOUTH AND DISTRICT LEAGUE.

Tavistock beat the City Reserves, at Tavistock, by two goals to one.

Hetherington opened the score, for Exeter, Evans got the equaliser, and Roberts shot the winning goal after the interval.