ECFC 3-0 Plymouth Argyle
Scorers: Kirk, Compton, Potter Attendance: 14,000


Boxing Day, at St James's Park. EXETER CITY 3 PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 0.

Scorers: Kirk, Compton, and Potter.

City: Bailey; Pollard and Charlton; Pullan, Crompton, and Potter; Matthews, Kirk, Davis, Lievesley, and Compton.

Argyle:-
Craig; Cosgrove and Price; Logan, Preston, and Rowe; Corcoran, Cherrett, Batten, Walker, and Black.

Referee (both matches): Mr R.Lethaby, of Bristol. Attendance 14,000.

Last season's result: City 0 Argyle 4.

The City triumphed by three clear goals in the return match, at St James's Park, on Boxing Day afternoon, before the biggest crowd of the season, the estimated attendance being about 14,000, which included a strong following from Plymouth. The Grecians won because of their sterling defence and because they played the style of football more likely to be successful in the conditions which existed, namely a heavy ground and ball. The playing field was sodden, and while Plymouth went in for close order tactics the City did the reverse. Their game was long, swinging passes, and it so obviously paid that the wonder was that the Pilgrims did not adopt similar methods.
THE THREE GOALS.
Much of the Argyle's midfield work was admirable, but as often as not it failed to get anywhere. There could not have been the slightest doubt about any of the three goals. The first came after seventeen minutes. Lievesley sent out to Compton, who beat Logan and placed a perfect centre for Kirk to direct the ball into the net with his head, well out of Craig's reach. About fifteen minutes after the resumption came the second of Exeter's goals. Matthews raced along the touch-line and while at full speed passed inwards to Davis, who, beating Price, fired the
ball against the crossbar. Compton secured from the rebound, and netted from close quarters. Number three was not long in coming. A corner was placed right into the goalmouth by Matthews. Everybody jumped for the ball, and Davis headed it on to the crossbar, and Potter then rose above the crowded to head the rebound into the net.

PLYMOUTH NOT AT THEIR BEST.
The Argyle's fate was sealed when the City scored their second goal. Up to that point Plymouth had had the better of the second half, and seemed likely to equalise, but they never looked like winning afterwards, although Corcoran and Black did their best to reduce the arrears. Corcoran put across several nice centres, from one of which Cherrett shot strongly but straight at Bailey, and Black ended a tricky run by shooting wide. At no period of the game, however, were the Argyle seen at their best. Leslie and Sloan, for whom Cherrett and Walker deputised, on account of slight injuries, were missed from the attack, and Price was nothing like up to the standard of Moses Russell. Batten was not conspicuous, and was penalised frequently for offside and once or twice for unnecessary fouls. Preston was the pick of the half backs, while Craig could not be blamed for the defeat. The City played one of their best games of the season, and, in view of the recent gruelling F.A.Cup-ties particularly, their form entitled them to high praise. There was no suggestion of weakness in any department. Pollard and Charlton maintained their excellent reputation, as did Bailey, the half backs were sound and the attack has seldom played better.

Reserves 
Argyle v City 
Good football was displayed by both Exeter and Argyle Reserves in the return match at Home Park, Plymouth, on Boxing Day, but the heavy state of the ground gave the respective defences an advantage over the forwards, so that it was not surprising that no goals were scored.

R. Maddever partnered Miller at full-back for the Argyle, and his display was a revelation. Fishwick was the best of the forward line and had it not been for the exceptional skill of Pavey some of his shots must have found the net. Flynn was outstanding in the Exeter rearguard, and Shelton and Lendon the best forwards.