CITY v ARGYLE RES. 

Big Gate at St James's Park

"The match of the season" so far as Exeter Soccer and Exeter City Football Club is concerned took place at St James's Park, this afternoon, October 13th, when the Grecians played their second League match, against Plymouth Argyle Reserves. Great interest was taken in the game, and in view of the fact that there was nothing doing at the County Ground, the Exeter Rugby First XV being away from home, the City club confidently looked forward to a record "gate." The ground was in excellent condition and the heavy shower just before noon this morning was not expec ted to affect it. The City team turned out as chosen, with Rev. Reid at left half in place of Bastin, and today's eleven was generally regarded as the strongest at the disposal of the club. The Argyle brought up a strong side, which included five pro fessionals and five Devon County men. Johnson, late of the Villa, was in goal, but Black was unexpectedly replaced by Woodward, a player whom the Argyle secured from a local Birmingham team, at left-back. The halves, on paper, were also very strong. Pethick, the Devon County captain, was at centre, with J. Hughes, late of Liverpool and a Welsh International, on his left. Hughes has been suffering from a "crocked" knee of late and has been kept in the Reserves for this reason. Corrin, who the Argyle secured in the 1904-05 season from Reading, was on the left wing, and F.Burch, of Devon County, at centre forward. The teams were:

EXETER CITY :-Antliff W.Wells Fenwick
Muncey Davidson Reid Sellick Massey Tipping Turner Andrews

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE RESERVES:- Johnson Wyatt Woodward Bunker Pethick Hughes Cudlipp Meager Burch Haynes Corrin

The City have played the Argyle Reserves three times, losing twice by 4-1 and 6-0 and winning the guarantee friendly last Christmas Day at Exeter by 3-2. There was a big attendance at the start, and spectators were still arriving in good numbers. In consequence of the City and the Argyle both playing in green Exeter turned out in white. A strong breeze was blowing across the field. The Argyle kicked off punctually at 3.15 o'clock, and Muncey badly missed the ball. The Argyle at once got away, and three of the Whites missed their tackles with the result that Burch got through, but he missed a good opportunity by shooting over. The ball from the goal kick came to Davidson, who sent in a dropping shot which Johnson easily caught. Three times the old Aston Villa man handled, and each time sent the ball down the field with huge "booters." Fenwick imitated him at the Exeter end, and at this early stage the City were at any rate holding their own. Sellick spoiled a good movement by getting offside, and at the other end Burch missed a fine opportunity by passing out to the wing when he should have tried a shot.

FIRST GOAL TO THE CITY.

Exeter returned to the attack, and an effective bit of play by Davidson enabled Tipping to advance with the ball to within shooting range. Tipping with a hard high shot beat Johnson all ends up, thus scoring the first goal for the City. This was of course signalled by a rousing outburst of cheering, for it was a grand goal, well worked for and well scored. The Argyle forced a corner but were immediately driven back, and they were beginning to realise that they were up against a team worthy of their steel. The Argyle up till now had not been very accurate with their shooting. Andrews was unfortunately laid out in a collision, and though ambulance aid was forthcoming he was not able to resume. It was a severe misfortune for the City, for until then they had been the better side, and they now had to face the Argyle with only ten men. But Pethick seemed far below his best form, and Corrin was having trouble with his knee, and could not do much. After half an hour's play Burch got the ball in front of the Exeter goal and atoned for his former weaknesses by scoring the equalising goal. It was a fast shot and Antliff made no attempt to get down to it. Ten minutes later, while Andrews was being laid out on an improvised stretcher, Burch scored again. There was no doubt the City were feeling the loss of Andrews, and it rather appeared that Exeter had "shot their bolt." From a free kick against Sellick for hands Meager scored the Argyle's third goal.
Half-time: Argyle 3 City 1.

SECOND HALF.

The City played the one-back game in the second half, and at the start threatened the Plymouth goal, but Johnson was safe. After Johnson had saved a bombardment of shots the ball was suddenly transferred to the other end, and Meager scored with a stiff shot in the corner of Exeter's net. Johnson saved in his best "Aston Villa" style from Tipping, but Exeter's centre had his revenge two minutes later, scoring with a long drive to the accompaniment of loud cheering. Reid, who was doing the work of two men at least, dribbled round Pethick and sent in a grounder which Johnson saved. The Argyle made an unsuccessful claim for a penalty against Wells for fouling. Then the City ran through again with the ball and Sellick all but scored. Davidson first, and then Tipping, put in fast shots which Johnson saved, and the City were doing very well indeed with only ten men. The Argyle's fifth goal was scored in very lucky fashion, the ball coming in slowly from Burch, hitting Wells, and rolling in to the corner of the net out of the reach of Ancliff, who had the direction of the original shot covered. Five minutes from the end Tipping scored with a stinging drive, Johnson this time being completely beaten.

Final score:- Argyle 5 Exeter City 3.

REMARKS.

The mishap to Andrews is reported to be sprained tendons of the left leg. He was taken home by the St John's Ambulance. He had only "signed off his club" this morning after the accident to his hand, at work. Exeter were unlucky. With ten men practically throughout the game they fairly held their own against weightier and far more experienced opponents, including several professionals. Had the City had a better goalkeeper, and had Andrews not been injured, they would have surely at least drawn. The Rev E.Reid was the hero of the second half, defence being brilliant. Tipping also played a marvellous game, and his three goals were grand efforts. Pethick, of the Argyle, was painfully slow, despite his great reputation, and Corrin, with a damaged knee, was. little use to his side most of the time. Johnson's huge kicking and clever saves were the best features of the Argyle's play. Otherwise, there was nothing particularly wonderful about the team.

The attendance was estimated at just over 2,000.