RECORD BREAKING AGAIN
Grecians' Brilliant Feat at Southend: Shrimpers' First Home Reverse

Christmas Morning, December 25th 1931.
SOUTHEND UNITED 0
EXETER CITY 1.

Exeter City distinguished themselves on Christmas morning by beating Southend United in the Football League match at the Kursaal by 1 to 0. The news gave great satisfaction locally when it was announced at the afternoon match at St James's Park, where the City Reserves were playing Yeovil. Whitlow was the scorer at Southend, and the goal was obtained after about 25 minutes' play. Woodward, deputising for Armfield at outside right, cut in at speed and hustled the defence. Robinson and French were flustered and left the ball to one another, and Moore came out of his goal to cover. Whitlow, quick as lightning, got there first and neatly flicked the ball over the goalkeeper's head and into the net.

Southend United: - Moore; French and Robinson; Dixon, Wilson, and Donovan; Barnett, Jones, Shankley, Fitton, and Crompton.
Exeter City: Davies; Gray and Miller;
Clarke, Angus, and Barber; Woodward, Varco, Whitlow, Houghton, and Doncaster.
Referee:- Mr E.G.Walliker.

There were 10,000 spectators, and with the Exeter half backs playing strongly and Miller and Gray showing brilliant form behind them, the Southend followers saw the Grecian attack as no other team has attacked at the Kursaal this season. The home goal was subjected to severe pressure at times, and with any luck the City would have held a substantial lead when the interval arrived. In the second half the play ran on very different lines. Exeter concentrated on defence, and were dangerous only in occasional raids. The spectators were put in a state of feverish excitement by the Southend players, who tried as hard as they could to get the equaliser. Miller and Gray defended grandly, and it was mainly due to the sterling and courageous play of this pair that Southend met with their first home defeat of the season. Southend showed such enterprise in attack in the second half that it really was a marvel that the Exeter goal did not fall. The fact remains that the Grecians obtained the one and only goal of the game and it was a happy City party that de trained at St David's Station at 9 o'clock on Christmas night.

EXETER CITY RESERVES 1
YEOVIL AND PETTERS 2.
Western League match at St James's Park.

In a goalless first half Yeovil did most of the attacking, the Glovers right through their team combining well and revealing speed and skill in every department. Exeter by comparison were poorly served by their forwards, and in defence and in midfield the City had a very busy time. Baugh was the chief stumbling block to the Glovers, and the return of Jones in goal after a long absence was another very helpful factor for Exeter, several admirable saves being made. Childs was another player who made a successful return to duty, while Bright, who has had more than his share of criticism in the past, played his best game of the season.
Unfortunately Jones injured his knee again in saving from Rankin, and he could not limp back to his goal quickly enough to prevent McNeil from crashing the ball into the net from about four yards. Keen then equalised, beating Pym with a quick cross shot, and the winning goal was scored by McNeil for Yeovil with just three minutes left for play. Pym, Parkin, and McDade, all ex-Grecians, had a notable share in the success of Yeovil. The goalkeeper, as ever, made goalkeeping appear the easiest thing in the world, his anticipation and positional play being as keen as ever.

The Exeter team was:- Jones; Baugh, Bright; Johnson, Childs, Robinson; Keen, Purcell, Gumm, Halliday, and Courtney.