December 30th 1933.

EXETER CITY 4 READING 1.

For the first time in living memory there was no football on Boxing Day at St James's Park. The City first-team were away at Southend, and the friendly match between Exeter City Reserves and the Bristol and District League had to be cancelled because of fog. St James's Park was enveloped in a thick mist and it was impossible to see either goal area from the half-way line. The fog has since cleared, and operations were recommenced to-day at the Park with a visit from Reading, one of the leading sides in the Southern Section, and Exeter City's opponents, and conquerors, on the opening day of the season. Exeter had Whitlow at centre forward, Poulter being unfit. There was an outbreak of torrential rain just before the start, which caused the crowd to run for cover under the shelter on the popular bank, and only about a hundred hardy souls remained on the terracing at the East end when the players appeared.

Exeter City. Davies; Gray and Miller;
Clarke, Webb, and Hardie; Scott, Wrightson, Whitlow, Houghton, and Hurst.

Reading. Whittaker; Ridley and Rowe;
Johnson, Hayhurst, and Wright; Butler, McGough, Newton, Oxberry, and Fielding.

Referee Mr W. J. Lewington, of Croydon.

The City's great victory after a very moderate first half display was mainly due to Whitlow's generalship. In the second half Whitlow completely turned the tables, and inspired his other forwards, most of all, Scott and Hurst, to a surprising effect. Following one or two early runs by Scott the Reading crossbar was skimmed by a rasping shot from Clarke, but the visitors opened up the game well in response, making many dangerous advances. Whitlow and Hurst created anxiety in the Reading defence and Wrightson all but put Exeter a goal in front. In a Reading attack Butler missed by inches only and Newton struck the upright, but both sides failed to profit from easy chances, and Hurst disappointed the crowd when he shot tamely wide with an open goal facing him. Towards the interval Exeter were reduced to ten men, Clarke being injured and going off for treatment, but managed to hold out against severe pressure from Newton and company.

SECOND HALF.

Despite the handicap of losing Clarke from the defence (he resumed at outside right with Wrightson at right half and Scott inside) the City made a brilliant recovery after the interval, which was mainly due to the inspiring generalship and skill of Whitlow. After Scott had missed two gilt-edged chances of scoring Whitlow opened Exeter's account. The goal was a typical Whitlow one. Receiving from Hurst he took the ball forward in his stride and as Whittaker advanced from his goal Whitlow's perfectly timed shot entered the net close to the upright and beyond the reach of the goalkeeper. It was his first for many many weeks, but never was a goal more welcomed.

WHITLOW AGAIN.

The cheering had not died down before the City had scored again, and as before, the marksman was Whitlow. Hurst raced clear of Ridley and passed into the centre. Whitlow, with his old eye for a chance, deftly beat Hayhurst, then as he was tackled by Rowe he hooked the ball into the net from ten yards out, although in by no means an easy position in view of the close attention of the Reading defenders. Exeter played like a team inspired, and even the limping Clarke, on the right wing, joined in the "New Year Greetings to Reading." In fact, the "passenger," taking up a loose ball, showed exceedingly neat control, and working to within a few yards of the goal line he deftly turned the ball back as Whittaker was advancing. The ball rolled across the face of the goal towards Hurst, who, dashing in from the opposite wing, thumped it into the back of the net amid a delirious outburst of cheering. This sensational turn of events was then followed by a series of massed attacks by Reading, who were far from being a spent force, and a centre by Butler from near the corner flag was headed into the Exeter net by Newton.

FOURTH GOAL.

For some minutes it appeared that Reading would make something of a belated recovery, but a sterling defence, with Miller back at his well-known best form and Gray in his usual dashing mood, kept them at bay, and then the City began to over-run the opposition again. The Reading rearguard showed a poor conception of covering up, and Exeter exploited this fact to the full to score their fourth goal. Once more it was Clarke who paved the way, for he made a splendid pass to Houghton, who easily shot the ball home from close range. Wright received the full weight of the crowd's displeasure when he blatantly fouled Wrightson, and the City deputy right half had to receive traetment from the trainer before he could resume.

TAUNTON TOWN 3
EXETER CITY RESERVES 2.

Exeter had Stan Barnes in their team at right half for the first time this season, and Maurice Lock, of Newton Poppleford, making his bow as a professional, he having accepted the City's terms yesterday.

Taunton:- Packer; E.Curtis, C.Curtis; Sullivan, Townrow, Hutchings; Smith, Hawkes, Mason, Willcox, Bradshaw. Exeter:- Chesters; Lock, Hughes; S.Barnes, Angus, Tait; Welsby, Risdon, Boundy, Ditchburn, J.Barnes.

After fifteen minutes Risdon scored for Exeter, Mason equalising. Ten minutes after the interval E.Curtis gave Taunton the lead from a penalty against Lock for fouling Smith. Boundy then scored for Exeter and Willcox for Taunton.