Brentford v City

EXETER TAKE THE LEAD BUT LOSE

Monday, April 26,
at Griffin Park.

BRENTFORD 2 EXETER CITY 1.

The City concluded their away matches in the Southern League at Griffin Park, where they met a strong Brentford team. There were three thousand spectators at this, Brentford's final home match, and the "Bees" gave a trial to a young outside-right, C. Henery, of Houghton Rovers.

BRENTFORD
Durston
Hodson Rosier
Morris Taylor Ashford
Henery Thompson Boyne Morley Hendren

Referee: Mr F.Heath.

Dockray Lovett Goodwin Makin Oldacre
Mitton Popplewell Crawshaw
Strettle Coleburne
Pym
EXETER CITY

Played in beautiful weather, the game provided thoroughly a interesting display of football, and Brentford, winning by two goals to one, just about deserved their success. With the wind in their favour the City monopolised the attack in the first half, but the forwards, although capably supported by the wing halves, did not play a convincing game.

They exhibited excellent control over a light and lively ball and there was an excellent understanding between Goodwin and his inside partners, but the ability to open out the game more was lacking. There were lengthy periods during which both Dockray and Oldacre were left idle, and as a result, the attacks, which were kept close, made little impression on Brentford's defence.

It was from the first real chance that Oldacre had that Exeter got their solitary goal, twenty-five minutes after the start. The winger centred and Durston dashed out of his goal. There ensued a race for possession between him and Goodwin, but the City centre forward got their first and gently tapped the ball into the net wide of the oncoming goalkeeper.

Brentford infused more dash into their game in the second half, and Thompson equalised with a high, dropping shot from 25 yards, having received a nice pass from Hendren. The winning goal, which was scored midway through the second half, was a curious one, and had an element of luck about it. Thompson had lobbed the ball up the field to give Boyne a chance of going through, but the wind carried it right into the goal, where it passed over Pym's head and struck the crossbar, and Boyne, who had followed up, tapped it into the empty net.

Exeter City, in this half, only occasionally broke through, and Durston, who had been kept busy in the first half, had an easy time. A strong drive from Thompson through a crowd of players, with Pym unsighted, was hooked out by Strettle, and in a last effort to equalise Dockray saw his shot punched clear by the Brentford custodian.

BABBACOMBE v. CITY RESERVES

Wednesday, April 28.

The City Reserves took a weak side to Babbacombe to play the home team in a Plymouth and District League match, and had to admit defeat by the odd goal in three. Loram won the toss, and the Babbs kicked off against wind and sun before a large crowd.

The home forwards combined very cleverly, and about 30 minutes from the start Stuckey gave them the lead with a good shot from close range. A few minutes later Martin scored a second for the Babbs. The Reserves showed up better in the second half, Chown, Twooze, and Loram being conspicuous in defence, Loram bringing off many fine saves. With twenty minutes to go Gill was fouled in the penalty area, and Powell was successful with the kick, but from then on the Babbacombe defence held out.

BABBACOMBE:

Crute; Bromham, and Birbeck;
Pyne, Martin, and Hall;
Martin, Jackman, Stuckey, Townsend, and Biddick.

RESERVES:

Loram; Twooze, and Chown;
Powell, Perry, and Curtis;
Please, Thompson, Gill, Fenwick, and Lincoln.

SEATON UNITED v EXETER CITY.

On Thursday, April 29, Exeter City's full Southern League side played an exhibition match at Seaton against the local side, and won by six goals to two. The whole local population turned out, and the Grecians were given a wonderful reception.

The following played for Seaton:- Buckett, goal; Watts and White, full backs; Dunn, Henley, and Collyer, half-backs; H. Rodgers, R. Rodgers, Reid, White, and Dolbear, forwards.