FOOTBALL OPENS IN A HEAT WAVE
Saturday, August 26th 1933.

The League football season opened in England and Wales to-day, in weather more suitable for cricket. This afternoon was warm and there was no appreciable sign of cloud to shield the spectators and players who welcomed the advent of football. "The weather is likely to remain warm for the next fews days with temperatures in the region of 80 degrees," according to the Air Ministry.

HOUGHTON LATEST

The breach between the Exeter City club and Harold Houghton, the "will o' the wisp" inside-left, has been healed. This was stated officially by the club secretary, Mr S.H.Thomas, today. Houghton is returning to Exeter from Liverpool and will commence training early next week. He will avail himself of the opportunity of getting fully fit and ready for Wednesday evening's home match with Coventry City.

Reading v Exeter City

BLACK DAY FOR EXETER:
BEATEN AWAY AND AT HOME

Exeter City in 1933-34 have started the season on the wrong foot. The first eleven were well and truly beaten at Elm Park, Reading, by four goals to one. There were goals galore at the Park, where the Reserves opposed the Argyle Reserves, but not for the City. They were trounced by the Argyle, eight goals to one.

TROUBLOUS TIMES.

Eve-of-the-season sensations have heralded the 1933-34 season so far as Exeter City are concerned. Troublous times have preceded this afternoon's visit to Reading, but the City players left this morning in a determined mood. They recognised the severity of the task which lay before them, but gained hope from the fact that as Reading are now in the experimental stage, they may not be quite so difficult to beat as they would be later in the season. This match was, perhaps, the most attractive one on the Third Division (South) card, for both Reading and the City are expected to have a say in the promotion question. The Grecians of course have been hard hit by the breakdown in health of that excellent half - back, Stan Barber, while Houghton's absence, momentarily, it is hoped, must render the prospect less alluring. Another of the old stalwarts not playing at Elm Park, was Charlie Miller. The late Exeter captain has been rather under a cloud, and matters reached a head earlier in the week when his request to be placed on the open-to-transfer list was acceded to. Thus, one by one, the members of the City's Cup-fighting team of three seasons ago disappeared from the side which ushered in the new campaign. The absence of Doncaster from the Reading side was disappointing to the many Exeter excursionists. Doncaster went to Reading on a free transfer from Crystal Palace, but was not selected for this afternoon's match against his old club.

READING
Mellors
Ridley Richardson
Johnson Hayhurst Wright
Butler McGough Harston Oxberry Fielding

Referee:- Mr W. J. Lewington, of Croydon.

Barnes Kennedy Whitlow Wrightson Welsby
Webb Angus Clarke
Hughes Gray
Davies
EXETER CITY

The attendance at the start was 8,000. Davies, making his first appearance as captain of Exeter City, started well by winning the toss.

READING 4 EXETER CITY 1.

The early victory by Reading over keen promotion rivals of last season was a good performance. They were superior in nearly all departments. Ridley played a great game in defence, and the half backs, especially, Hayhurst, who was said to be inexperienced, proved stronger than expected. The Exeter forwards lacked punch. The home side had a brilliant spell at the start, and a corner was forced by Harston when Davies dropped the ball. From the kick the opening goal was scored, Hayhurst heading Butler's centre into the Exeter net, after six minutes. Subsequently Harston and McGough added goals for the home side, who led by 3 goals to nil at the interval. 

Reading in the second half slowed down but continued to play fine football, with Harston a virile leader. Davies made grand saves from Harston, McGough, and Harston again. Mellors in the Reading goal was safe, but just on time was beaten by Whitlow.

NOTES.

Reading never allowed Exeter to settle down, and were superior in every department except goal, where Davies, so often the saviour of Exeter City in away matches, played superbly in his first game as club captain.

Gray and Clarke worked themselves to a standstill, but Butler, the old Bolton Wanderer, carried "too many guns" for the left flank of the City defence. Wrightson and Kennedy were the best of the City forwards, but apart from scoring late in the game Whitlow never appeared happy against Hayhurst.

EXETER CITY RESERVES.

Exeter City Reserves 1
Plymouth Argyle Res 8

Walters, who was signed from Crystal Palace as an inside forward, occupied the left half berth for the City Reserves. Two other newcomers were included, Chesters (Manchester United) and Kenyon, who is on trial from Atherton. Flood, of Copplestone (Exeter and District League) played outside-left.

City Reserves:- Chesters; Ditchburn and M.Lock; Kenyon, Childs, and Walters; Scott, Gumm, Hurst, S.Risdon, and Flood.

Argyle Reserves:- Cann; T. Black and Bland; Gorman, McKenzie, and Godfrey; J.Demellweek, Sloan, Melaniphy, Bungay, and Vidler.

Four thousand spectators sweltered in the heat-wave at St James's Park. Bungay and Hurst in the first half scored for their respective sides. In the second half the Argyle ran riot and got seven goals, through Sloan (5), Bungay (penalty) and Vidler.