SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27TH.

CITY v. SAINTS.

Exeter City finished up their holiday matches this afternoon, at St.James's Park, when Southampton, who in five previous visits to the ground had lost but twice, furnished the opposition. The new outside-left, Goodwin, from West Ham, appeared in Marshall's place, and Pratt, who was injured yesterday, was replaced by Lagan at centre-half. The City appeared in new colours, as the Saints wore red and white stripes. The Grecians turned out in chocolate coloured shirts with yellow sleeves. Rigby lost the toss to Lee, the old English International, and Exeter started the game towards the St. James's Road end.

Considering that both teams had already played two games in two days, Exeter City and Southampton were responsible for a fast and exciting match. Another big holiday crowd assembled, and as the receipts from yesterday's match amounted to £308, which is a record for the club, Exeter should do well financially out of the holiday matches.

There was excitement from the commencement. In the very first minute Ireland cleared two dangerous rushes, and then a lovely centre by Goodwin ought to have been converted, but Lovett was too slow, and missed. He atoned for his failure soon afterwards, however, by opening the scoring, following more clever play on the home left-wing, where Goodwin was quickly making a good impression on his first appearance. Lovett's shot was a fine one, the ball entering the net just under the crossbar. At the interval Exeter led by this goal, to nil.

Second Half.

Southampton had been somewhat erratic in their work, and with a little more steadiness might well have equalised before halftime. Throughout the second half the excitement was maintained, and the period was remarkable for the number of injuries, to the Exeter players. Fort, Strettle, Lovett, and Goodwin all received knocks, but fortunately they were not of a serious nature.

It was late in the game before Exeter made victory secure, for prior to the second success W.Smith struck the upright for the Saints. Lagan slipped the ball through nicely to McCann, who ran strongly and shot past Steventon in the coolest manner imaginable from six yards' range. In the closing minutes Southampton's Smith fouled Brooksbank in petty fashion, and the Exeter player having made a show of retaliating, both men were admonished by the referee. Right on the call of time Brooksbank drove strongly over the crossbar.

Final: Exeter City 2 Southampton nil.

City:- Pym; Fort, Strettle; Rigby, Lagan, Smith; Holt, Lovett, Brooksbank, McCann, and Goodwin.

Saints:- Steventon; F.Smith, Ireland; Hadley, Lee, McAlpine; Kimpton, Dominy, Prince, W.Smith, and Blake.

Referee:- Mr J.E.Hall.

The City's defence was splendid under the most severe bustle and pressure from Southampton, Fort and Strettle never at any time faltering. Lagan, who has completely recovered from his injured shoulder, seldom let Prince get away far. The feeding of the halfbacks, too, was an improvement on that of yesterday, and as a consequence Brooksbank and company were given more and better opportunities. There was, however, still the same weakness shown in front of goal, although Goodwin's debut was very successful, and he ought to make an excellent partner for McCann. Ireland was Southampton's best defender, and Hadley the best half back. Of the forwards, Prince, Kimpton, and W.Smith showed much clever constructive work, and a great deal of enterprise.

PLYMOUTH AND DISTRICT LEAGUE.  
RESERVES DEFEATED AT MILLBROOK.

Exeter kicked off down the slope, Gerrish just shooting wide. Gosling broke away for Millbrook, his shot being saved under the bar by Loram. Another hard drive from Gosling was fumbled by the City goalkeeper, and the ball went into the net. Exeter tried to equalise, Gerrish and Lewis testing Moore, but the goalkeeper managed to clear. In another City attack Greenaway was left with an open goal, but his shot went wide of the posts.

Half-time: Millbrook Rangers 1 Exeter City Reserves nil.

Upon resuming, Millbrook, aided by the hill, assumed the aggressive, Magill bringing Loram to his knees with a fast drive. A spell of attacking by Exeter followed, but Moore was equal to the shots of Gerrish and Lewis. A miskick by Hunt let Williams through, and the Millbrook forward, after beating Harding for possession, put the ball into the corner of the net. Exeter recovered, and Lewis beat Moore with a stinging shot, but just on time Millbrook broke away again and Gooding scored.

Result: Millbrook Rangers 3 City Reserves 1.