Saturday, January 3rd 1914

Reading v Exeter City.

Exeter City were out to preserve a record today. They were engaged in a Southern League match at Elm Park, Reading, where they had never in the past been beaten. In fact, it was a ground on which they had always been able to give of their best, and on which it seemed that good fortune had always been with them. It remained to be seen whether that good fortune would remain with them yet again. Despite the fact that they have parted with their fine centre-half, Hanney, to Manchester City, Reading have held their place very well in the League table this season, and before today's match were a good third with 25 points for 20 matches, while Exeter were eighth with 20 points for 20 games.

From the start of the season, the "Biscuitmen" have played the former Woolwich Arsenal man, Crawford, in goal, and their regular backs have been Jack Smith, the captain, and Stevens. Hanney's place has been given to Forrest, a newcomer, while Lofthouse, a young outside-left from Stalybridge Celtic, has deputised very successfully for Reg Pinfield, who had the misfortune to break his leg in a recent match.

On Thursday Exeter City received a telegram from Goodwin, their new player, stating that he had been taken ill, and was confined to his bed, therefore Marshall was called up again. The City team, accompanied by one director and the manager, left St. David's last evening, and put up at Reading overnight so as to avoid the long journey this morning, to be followed by a scrambling rush to the ground, which is close on two miles from the station.

READING

Crawford

Smith Stevens

Comrie Forrest Wilson

Morris Brown Foster Burton Lofthouse

Referee:- Mr C.C.Fallowfield, of London.

CITY

Marshall McCann Brooksbank Lovett Holt
Smith Lagan Rigby

Strettle Fort

Pym

The afternoon was damp and chilly at Reading, but the turf was in good condition. Exeter were first out, and met with a cordial reception from a crowd numbering about 5000. Reading won the toss, with carried no advantage to speak of, and Brooksbank kicked off at 2.40 p.m.

High kicking between the backs resulted in Stevens putting to touch on the half-way line. Exeter then made progress, but were repelled, and Foster was nicely in possession when the tall form of Strettle came into view, and the ball was pounded back. Fort tackled Lofthouse but the leather was snapped up by Comrie, who put his shot wide of the posts. After Pym had cleared a corner Rigby fed Holt, who made a great run. He beat Wilson and Stevens and shot, only for the ball to strike the upright and bounce over the goal-line. It was hard luck on Exeter's young winger, for the effort was worthy of more reward. The first goal fell to Reading after a quarter of an hour's play. Wilson put Lofthouse away, and the Stalybridge man centred for Foster to have the easiest chance imaginable in booting the ball to the back of the rigging with Pym sprawling in the sawdust.

The City drew level twenty minutes later when Rigby broke up a Reading attack and put Holt away with a beautiful forward pass. Holt's centre was partly cleared by Jack Smith, but McCann was in position to receive the ball. He pushed it forward a yard or two, then with a clear field he let fly from about 25 yards, Crawford getting his hand to the ball but allowing it to slip past him to the back of the net. Twice more, after this success, McCann tried Crawford with long shots, but the custodian was not to be caught out again. Pym saved Exeter's goal from further downfall, taking the ball literally off Foster's boot, then Brooksbank beat three men in a sparkling dribble but blazed his final shot wide. The City secured the lead for the first time just before the interval when Lovett scored a neat goal from Holt's pass.

Second Half.

Exeter City had gained their lead in the first half by dint of determination and hard plodding, but were considered to have been rather fortunate, as Reading had had by far the most of the play. Furthermore, Comrie had been injured, and left the field towards the close of the first period, and Reading resumed with only ten players, Brown dropping back. Against the depleted home side the City did everything but score, good chances being wasted in turn by McCann, Marshall, Brooksbank, and Smith.

Then, quite out of the blue, so to speak, Morris equalised, the ball being put into Exeter's net following a corner. The kick was taken by Lofthouse, and Pym immediately appealed against the score on the grounds that he was impeded by Morris. He ran half the length of the field arguing with the referee, which is a very unusual proceeding for him, and was finally ordered back to his charge in peremptory fashion by Mr Fallowfield.

The Grecians continued to do all the pressing against the home side's ten men, but could not force home their advantage, and at the final whistle the result was:

Reading 2 Exeter City 2.

MONDAY, JANUARY 5TH.

READING'S EQUALISING GOAL.
It transpired that Pym's insistent appeal to the referee was made because a Reading player handled the ball prior to Morris scoring. The following is an extract from the columns of the "Athletic News":

"Occasionally Reading broke away, and from one of these bursts Brown sent across a high shot which Pym turned over the bar. The resultant corner was dropped into the goalmouth by Lofthouse, and Burton, unable to reach the ball with his head, thrust up his hand and guided it over to Morris, who stood unmarked on the far side of the goal. Pym dashed across, but not soon enough to prevent Morris breasting the ball through. Exeter appealed strongly for hands, but neither referee nor linesman saw the foul." This view was also supported by the Reading newspapers.

City Reserves v Topsham.

Played at St James's Park this afternoon. Without a Plymouth League fixture today, the Reserves were to have played a friendly against Babbacombe, but owing to a Devon Cup-tie the Babes were unable to keep the appointment. The Reserves kicked off and soon assumed the upper hand. Davey failed with two chances in front of goal, then after five minutes' play Lewis fed Orr, who evaded Burnett and centred for Stoneman to head the ball into the net.

The Reserves attacked practically throughout the duration of the first half, but West and his backs were steady, and prevented any further scoring.

Half-time: Reserves 1 Topsham 0.

Exeter continued to monopolise play in the second half, but weakness in front of goal prevented an addition to the score until about midway through the period, when Stoneman rushed the ball into the net from Orr's centre. Topsham's goal had a miraculous escape when West ran out to punch away a centre by Davey, and completely missed the ball, but Burnett, standing on the goal-line, kicked clear. Exeter were awarded a penalty for hands, and Lewis, whose shot was saved by West, followed up and scored from the rebound.

Result: City Reserves 3 Topsham nil.

Reserves:- Loram; Harding, Hunt; Cox, Pratt, Evans; Davey, Sturman, Stoneman, Lewis, and Orr.

Topsham:- West; Burnett, Coates; J.May, Sanders, Henderson; Brownsell, B.May, Willatts, Tilke, and Walters.