Match Report: Exeter City v Coventry City Saturday 3rd December 1927

Match report from an English Division Three (South) game held on 3rd December 1927.

Exeter City lined up: Holland, Pollard, Miller, Phoenix, Pool, Gee, Purcell, McDevitt, Dent, Vaughan, Compton
Coventry City’s team: Newton, Tinning, Gay, Askew, McClure, Hunter, Bell, Bird, Johnstone, Heathcote, Ramage

Coventry City simply took Exeter by storm when they outpaced and outplayed the “Grecians” on their own pitch. and won by virtue of a smart goal scored by Heathcote fifteen minutes after the start, the fruits of a corner well places by Bell.

The ground was very sticky , and the afternoon dark and drizzly, and those conditions seemed to be much more to Coventry’s liking than they were to Exeter’s.

The “Grecians” made some clever advances in the early minutes, and Compton missed a great chance of his giving his side the lead. When unmarked he dwelt on a pass from Purcell just long enough for Tinning to rush back and relive of the ball.

After that the Coventry half backs settled down to a splendid game, giving great support to their forwards, and making things simple for their full backs.

Forward Heathcote was outstanding for crisp and clever footwork, while behind the sound fall-backs (Tinning and Gay) the goalkeeper (Newton) gave a most inspiring exhibition.

Coventry did most of the attacking, but there were times when Exeter, mainly through Compton, Dent and Purcell, were as dangerous as they were desperate, and on these occasions Newton came to the rescue of his side in brilliant fashion, never making the slightest mistake.

Heathcote often sent Johnstone away in clever style with raking ground passes effectively placed, and Pollard and Charlton, the experienced Exeter backs, had their work cut out to prevent the quick Coventry centre-forward from getting to close quarters.

Ramage and Bird, too played a notable part in Coventry’s victory.

Exeter City have not been so shaken for and aft for many a long day.

In this match they lost their ground record and suffered their first defeat since 10 September.

Final Score Exeter City 0 Coventry 1.

Att: 5500

Footnotes: Exeter finished the day in 6th on 19 points. Coventry finished the day in 14th on 15 points.