Thames v Exeter City
EXETER CITY PLAY SAFE
But Fail to Score

Saturday, August 29th 1931.
THAMES 0 EXETER CITY 0.

For their opening match, at the West Ham Stadium, London, the City fielded last year's team with one exception, at centre half, where Childs replaced Angus, who is injured. On the other hand Thames had practically a new team, only three of last year's men being included. Among their newcomers were the two former Internationals, Len Davies (Cardiff) and Dimmock (Spurs). Miller lost the toss and the City were set to face the sun in the opening half. The weather was beautifully fine, but there was a strong wind blowing diagonally across the pitch. Attendance 10,000.

Thames:- McDonough; Graham and Smith; Warner, Spence, and Kemp; Brown, Bailey, Lennox, Davies, and Dimmock.

Exeter City: Davies; Baugh and Miller; Clarke, Childs, and Barber; Armfield, Purcell, Varco, Houghton, and Doncaster.

Referee:- Mr A.Milsom, of Bristol.

Thames attacked at the commencement and after Baugh had robbed Dimmock they came back to force two corners, the first being punched out by Davies (City) and the second resulting in Brown heading Dimmock's centre over the bar. At the other end McDonough saved from Doncaster after Purcell had engineered the opening, and the City winger made another nice run up the touch - line before transferring the ball to Houghton, who failed to control it properly. In another Thames move Dimmock was given a clear opening by Brown, but to the consternation of the home supporters he let the ball run past him when he had the goal at his mercy. Exeter's best football was played during the last quarter of an hour before the interval, when Childs nearly scored from a free kick, and Armfield and Doncaster created several dangerous openings, but no goals were scored. The City were playing very safe, and with Houghton and Purcell being too intent on assisting the defence Varco received little support. Play towards the end of the second half deteriorated with both teams tiring, and there were many stoppages for fouls and minor injuries.

EXETER CITY RESERVES 2
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE RESERVES 1. Western League match at St James's Park.

Rain set in at Exeter at about 2 o'clock this afternoon, and continued to pour steadily, giving a wet baptism to the new football season. The attendance was reduced to 2,500, no doubt on account of the weather, there being very little covered accommodation at St James's Park.

City Reserves:- Jones; Gray (J), Gray (E); Robinson, Ditchburn, Bright; Keen, Graham, Whitlow, Halliday, Courtney.
Argyle Reserves:- Stanbury; Bland, Titmuss; Gorman, Pullen, Reed; Matthews, Sloan, Vidler, Wilson, Leitch.

Referee:- Mr A.F.Davis.

Ditchburn won the toss, but through a misunderstanding Whitlow kicked off, so the teams were recalled for Vidler to start the game. Graham just missed the goal from Keen's centre, and Stanbury saved from Halliday. A corner by Keen was cleared to the half-way line, but Jimmy Gray volleyed the ball back, and up jumped Whitlow to head a splendid goal. Halliday met with a leg injury and was assisted from the field, and during his absence Sloan equalised, Jones having no chance with a terrific drive into the top corner of the goal. A few minutes before the interval Gorman lef the field suffering from concussion.
Half-time 1 goal all.

Seven minutes before the finish the opening for which Whitlow had been working patiently at last matured. He gave the ball to Halliday and darted between the Argyle backs. Halliday made the correct pass and Whitlow shot the ball into the net as Stanbury advanced in a forlorn attempt to save. The Argyle, without Gorman throughout this half, were not content to accept defeat, and last minute Leitch just missed the City goal with a fierce cross shot.