FA Cup Stories: Yeovil & Petters v Exeter City – December 1934

Saturday 8th December 1934 was FA Cup day, second round ties being played with hopes of progress and a big club in round 3.

Exeter City of Division 3(South) had overcome Charlton Atheltic in the first round, having drawn 2-2 away and beaten Charlton 5-2 at St James Park. Yeovil and Petters United (of the Southern League West) had overcome Crystal Palace 3-0 in the first round.

In the lead up to the game the Western Gazette reported:-

THE WEEK’S SPORT. FOOTBALL.
ENGLISH CUP.
YEOVIL TEAM CHANGE FOR MATCH WITH EXETER.

Yeovil and Fetters meet Exeter City, the English Third Division League side, Yeovil to-morrow (Saturday), the second round of the F.A. Cup. Yeovil have had to make a change from the team which beat the Palace. Crewe, the Club’s new player, will take the place of Savage at centre-forward, as Taylor is still unfit. Crowe has played right back for Yeovil, but he was signed as inside forward or half-back.

Workmen have been busy during the week terracing on the side of the ground opposite the stands to provide additional accommodation. A directors’ balcony has been built, and this will accommodate about 100. The structure was erected by Messrs. F. W. Sibley k Co., of Goldcroft, within 48 hours of receiving the order, work proceeding at night with the aid of floodlights.

The referee Mr. L. E. Gibbs, is a First Division referee, from the Berks and Bucks F.A. He was a linesman the recent match between England and Italy at Highbury.

The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette were reporting:-

Tomorrow’s Cup-tie at Yeovil

It anticipated that the Yeovil ground Huish will be taxed to its utmost capacity for the Cup-tie to-morrow between Yeovil and Petters United and Exeter City. During the past week workmen have been busy the banking, while extra stand accommodation has also been provided. Doubtless, there will a large number excursionists from Exeter, in addition to which the match will draw extensively among followers of the code East Devon, South Somerset, and North Dorset. Exeter will not make the mistake of treating the opposition otherwise than with the utmost respect, because Yeovil’s 3—o win over Crystal Palace in the First Round shows that, on their own pitch, at any rate, they can he tough nut to crack. Exeter have an advantage, however, which Crystal Palace lacked, in that most of the players have had previous experience of the ground. The City team will be chosen to-day, and it quite possible  that Clarke will be fit to play. The referee appointed for the match is Mr. L. E. Gibbs. of the Berkshire F.A.

Exeter went into the game with the Club reporting a financial loss for the previous year, see inset for details.

Yeovil’s history as a giant-killer was already established by the time the Grecians arrived for this game in 1934, and the reputation of Yeovil was further enhanced by a comprehensive 4-1 win over Exeter.

The Western Gazette reported on the Monday

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.
Exeter City Go Way of Palace.
YEOVIL AND P.U., 4; EXETER C, 1.

Yeovil and Petter’s United, the “giantkillers” of this season’s F.A. Cup competition, followed up their defeat of Crystal Palace in the last round by trouncing Exeter City, another Third Division club, at Yeovil, by four goals to one, Although Yeovil really clinched the issue when Crewe, their centre forward, scored twice in the last five minutes, they were the more convincing side. They varied their vigorous football with many cleverly conceived movements and without doubt were worthy victors. Yeovil took the lead within five minutes of the start. Page was brought down unfairly when going through and Smith scored from the penalty. A breakaway near half-lime saw Page increase the lead, only for Angus to reduce arrears straight from a free kick almost on the interval. The 10,500 spectators saw Yeovil hard worked defensively in the second half.

Exeter City lined up: Chesters, Miller, Lewis, Webb, Angus, J Scott, Wrighton, Poulter, T Scott, Hurst.
The probable Yeovil team was: Lynch; Wood and Birks; Smith, Price, and Parkin; Holbeach, Parle, Crewe, McNeil, and Page.

Yeovil and Petters drew Liverpool in the 3rd round. They lost 6-2 at Huish Park in front of 13,000 spectators.