1904-1905. 

Football in Exeter

The first match in the Senior Division of the East Devon League took place this afternoon, September 10th, when Exeter City met the 110th Battery. This was the City's first engagement for the season, and great interest was shown by the Soccerites. The Battery have a few new men in the team, but the majority of last season's players are available. The City Club has a strong team, including several new players, and the season should be a successful one. The match was doubly interesting because it will be remembered that the 110th Battery defeated St Sidwell's (now Exeter City) in the final for the East Devon Challenge Cup by two goals to one. A large attendance assembled at St James's Field today to witness the encounter, the number being about six hundred.

EXETER CITY 
Peters 
Ashford Aplin
Wallage Davidson Morgan
Sellick Thomas Reid Eveleigh Horner

Referee: Mr Sturdy.

Ebury Chorlton Massey Saunders Hoare Clarke Salt MacNaughton
Irons Gallagher
Johnson
110TH BATTERY

The Exonians started, but Saunders intercepted and the ball hit Morgan and went into touch. Thomas set off in a fine dribble, but Gallagher was equal to the occasion and sent to Saunders, who took the ball well down the field. Peters fisted out from Massey and Saunders kicked over the bar. A long kick from the centre by Davidson was missed by Johnson, and Sellick passed to Eveleigh, who scored the opening goal. The soldiers retaliated, and a shot by Hoare hit the crossbar, Ashford relieving. Sellick sent in a fine shot from the touch-line, Johnson having difficulty to deal with the fast moving ball, and in later play Hoare for the soldiers kicked over the bar from a free kick by Irons against Morgan for handling. The visitors bombarded the home goal until Massey shot behind, and at half-time the score was
Exeter City 1, 110th Battery nil. 

A mistake by Wallage nearly ended in Saunders scoring. Reid and Thomas then dribbled away in a fine rush and this resulted in the second goal for Exeter being scored by Thomas. The Battery resumed the attack, Reid clearing with a good kick, then Hoare shot into the net but was given offside. Shortly afterwards a penalty was given to the Battery, and the ball was landed well into the mouth of the goal by Massey, but Peters saved. Eventually Massey scored for the Battery, and the final score was:-
Exeter City 2, 110th Battery 1.