Western Rivals Meet at St.James's Park:

Saturday, February 24th 1912.
SOUTHERN LEAGUE:
CITY v. BRISTOL ROVERS

Western rivals were in conflict at St. James's Park today, Exeter City and Bristol Rovers renewing their fight for League points. The management decided upon a change at half-back, Pratt making a reappearance at centre-half after a long absence and Bassett returning to his old position at right-half. Rigby, a young player who has made tremendous strides this season, was given a rest. The Rovers made drastic changes in their forward line, with Richards, Jones, and Rankin all being dropped. Archie Hughes, the old City player, was selected to lead the attack, and on his right, Bradley, late of Sheffield Wednesday, was chosen; Brogan, who is really a half-back, played inside-left, and on the left wing was Long, formerly of Portsmouth.

CITY: Whittaker (W) Fort Evans Bassett Pratt Lockett Whittaker(E) Watson Rutter Cornan Garside

Referee: Mr R. Pook, of Portsmouth. Linesmen: Q.M.Sgt. Rundle, and Mr W.Evans.
ROVERS: Roney, Harvie, Bennett, Williams, Morris, Shaw, Peplow Bradley Hughes Brogan Long 

The Bristolians arrived on the ground three-quarters of an hour before the start. They brought only a few supporters with them, as contrary to expectations, no excursions had been run. This fact also accounted for another disappointment, namely the absence of the Rovers' Band, who were to have joined the Exeter City Military Band under Mr George Newman, with an augmented programme of music. The pitch was fairly dry on the surface, but heavy beneath, owing to yesterday's rain. Fortunately the afternoon turned out fine, and there were early prospects of a better than average "gate". There were quite five thousand present at the start, with crowds of people still trooping in. Archie Hughes came in for a special cheer when the players came out. Whittaker won the toss, and, as usual, decided to defend the lower goal.

The Game.
Exeter City won by two goals to one, but the game was hard, and the Rovers fought gamely till the end. In the first half Exeter held the advantage, but a superb display of goalkeeping by Roney prevented any score until near the interval. The City began in determined fashion, and Roney was busy almost immediately. After the game had been in progress for nearly half an hour Cornan received from Rutter close in, and he made no mistake with a well directed shot, giving the City a well deserved lead. The move had been initiated by Pratt, with a clever lob over the heads of the backs. Three minutes before the interval Rutter headed a beautiful goal from an accurately placed centre by Garside.

Half-time: City 2 Rovers nil.
Rutter struck the crossbar in an early Exeter raid, then the home supporters had a fright. Peplow, who had required careful watching, managed to get by Lockett and Evans. He sent across to Hughes, who trapped the ball and footed it into the net with no attempt being made to stop it. After this the Rovers forwards played with more dash and energy, but fortunately for the City their forwards were off the mark when it came to shooting. Roney saved twice from Cornan and once from Rutter, and a minute from time Whittaker sent just over the bar with a fast drive.

Plymouth and District League 
TAVISTOCK V CITY RESERVES.

Continuing their Plymouth League programme at Tavistock, Exeter Reserves won by three goals to two after a hard game. Demellwick opened with a brilliant goal for the "Lambs" in the fifth minute, Bailey equalised and then put the City ahead.

In the second half Tavistock had the better of the game, and Chubb equalised, the ball slipping through Pym's hands. From a scramble in front of the home goal Lewis rushed the ball through, the result at the finish being as stated.