EXETER CITY V WATFORD,
AT ST.JAMES'S PARK.
SATURDAY, 7th SEPTEMBER 1912 

Exeter City played their first Southern League match of the season at St. James's Park this afternoon, the opposition being provided by Watford. The encounter was looked forward to with considerable anxiety by the City supporters, from the fact that the Grecians lost their opening match at West Ham by the big score of 4 - nil. It was, therefore, vitally necessary that a wholehearted effort should be made to atone for that defeat today.

The same players were chosen, except that Ellis Crompton and Rutter changed places, on the grounds that Rutter was far more effective leading the attack than he was at inside-right.
Watford had the brilliant Webster in goal, and English, from Preston North End, as Stewart's partner in the defence. Blythe, the old Millwallian, was missing from the half-back kine where C.Bulling, a player of lanky proportions, was included. Other players new to the Watford team were Killner and Evans, both from Sutton Junction, and Jebb from Barnsley.
Teams:
CITY
Pym Fort Hurst Rigby Bassett Lockett Whittaker Crompton Rutter Golightly Ives
Referee: Mr W.Woolmington, of Weston-super-Mare.
Linesmen: Messrs J.H. Williams, Plymouth, and E.J.Davis, Yeovil.

Squires White Evans Dixon Killner Jebb Bulling (C) Gregory(V) Stewart English
Webster
WATFORD

The ground had undergone a thorough preparation for today's match, the grass having been freshly mown again, and the roller freely applied. New terracing has been put in on the reserved sides, and the holding capacity increased by about 1,500 from last season. Altogether the enclosure was looking smarter than it has ever done.
The Watford party left Waterloo at eleven o'clock, arriving at Exeter shortly after 2 p.m. The weather was perfect, and there were early indications of a large crowd. At the start there at least 4,000 present. Crompton won the toss and set Watford to face the sun.

The Game: Exeter City 1 Watford 0.

Although the Grecians only scored one goal, they did by far the bulk of the attacking, and deserved to win by at least three goals. The West Herts citadel had some very narrow escapes from downfall, and on other occasions Webster saved his team from a much heavier defeat. Kicking off towards the St. James's Road end, Watford rushed through in a sharp attack, but were repulsed by a resolute pair of backs in Fort and Hurst, and after this early spell Exeter took command. Assisted by a fairly strong breeze they carried out several dangerous attacks on the Watford goal, and after ten minutes' play Rutter scored, driving the ball hard into the net from a beautiful forward pass delivered to him by Crompton. Webster was soon in action again, saving a long volley from Bassett, a shot from Ives, and another one from Ives which hit Gregory, the last one of these causing the most difficulty. Golightly cut the ball across the goalmouth but Rutter was too high with a powerful shot from close range, whilst Crompton had another fierce drive charged down by Stewart.
Half-time:
CITY 1-0 WATFORD

The second half was not productive of a lot of good football, but the City practically monopolised the game. Ives headed over from close in, and Webster had to save at full-length from the Grecians' new skipper, while on two other occasions Rutter missed the net by inches only. Save for one or two spasmodic breakaways Watford were kept on the defensive throughout this half, and at the end were a well beaten team. Pym had only one shot to save all the afternoon.

Last season: Watford 1 City 0.
In 1910-11: City 2 Watford 0.

ST AUSTELL v CITY RESERVES.
Plymouth and District League 

Commencing their Plymouth & District League engagements, the Reserves beat St. Austell on the latter's ground by two goals to one