Christmas​Football

CITY BRING OFF A DRAW AT WATFORD
An Amusing Diversion

WATFORD 1 CITY 1.

The Grecians opened their Christmas Holiday programme with a visit to Cassio Road, Watford, for Southern League points. The match was played on Christmas Day morning, but unfortunately a heavy fog hung over the ground before the start, and kept the attendance down to very moderate proportions, not more than two thousand being present.

The troops stationed in the town turned up in strong force, and being in a holiday mood, about a hundred of them ran on to the pitch at half-time and indulged in a game of football among themselves. The other spectators hugely enjoyed the scene. As soon as the players returned for the second half the soldiers rap back to their places.

As the match proceeded the fog lifted, and it was possible to follow the exchanges.

WATFORD

Williams

Bulling Stewart

Gregory(V) Kennedy Gregory(F)

Hastings Edmonds McLaughlan Green Waterall

Referee:- Mr C.W.Gillett, of London.

CITY

Dockray Lovett Goodwin(W) Hunter Holt
Smith Lagan Rigby

Strettle Marshall

Pym

The first spurt came from Watford, the left wing getting away well. Next Hastings put in a smart run but was beaten in the end by Strettle. When the City attacked Kennedy punted heavily out of the goalmouth, Edmonds gathered the ball and put it through to Waterall, who netted but was offside.

McLaughlan should have converted a pass from Edmonds, but was too slow, and the chance was lost. Exeter then attacked, the ball being crossed and re-crossed until Lovett whipped in a fast shot which travelled just wide. The play so far had been of a very mediocre character, the men working gingerly on the frostbound ground. Waterall slipped up and missed an absolute "sitter" when the ball came to him from Hastings and found him quite unmarked. Marshall was playing well upfield to put his opponents out of Position, and twice McLaughlan was pulled up for offside. A long shot by Hastings was saved by Pym. The forwards on both sides were beaten by the robust play of the half-backs, who, however, did not place the ball very accurately.

The fog came down thicker than before, and it was impossible to follow the flight of the ball.

Kennedy was injured and had to retire, Waterall taking his place at centre half. Pym saved brilliantly from McLaughlan, and at the other end a bad mistake by Bulling let Holt in for a good centre, which was cleared at the second attempt by Stewart. At the interval nothing had been scored.

Second Half.

The soldiers left the field after their impromptu football match to a rousing cheer from the remainder of the spectators, who were relieved by this unexpected entertainment after a very dull first half. Exeter had the better of the opening stages of the second period, and Dockray had hard luck with a fine drive. Watford retaliated with spirit, and after Hastings had shot over the bar McLaughlan went close with a, header.

Play remained in midfield for some time, then Stewart had to concede a corner, but Bulling cleared. With Pym drawn out of his goal Edmonds had the simplest of chances but failed badly.

Rigby was guilty of a foul on Waterall, who just later had a goal disallowed because Green had fouled Pym when the goalkeeper was in possession. The fog slowly cleared, and it became quite possible to follow the play.

Goodwin Opens the Score.

The game was featureless for long periods. and aimless kicking was the order of the day from both sides. Green hurt his hand, and was in obvious pain, but played on.

From a centre by Dockray, Holt shaved the crossbar, but soon afterwards a rush by the City forwards resulted in Billy Goodwin heading through smartly to open the scoring.

In the next minute McLaughlan ballooned the ball over, but he made amends by equalising in a scrimmage following a centre by Hastings. After this Watford woke up, and Waterall swung over a good centre from which McLaughlan nearly breasted through the winner. The match ended with the score at one goal each.