Portsmouth v City
CITY DEFENCE BUSY
AT FRATTON PARK

Pompey's Easy Win

Saturday, November 15.

PORTSMOUTH 2 EXETER CITY 0.

The match at Fratton Park this afternoon was regarded in the South of England as a very interesting trial of strength between two of the most ambitious and clever sides in the League.

The weather was bitterly cold at Portsmouth. The spectators in the enclosure stood on a light carpet of snow, but the field of play had been cleared by the bright sunshine of the morning. A strong east wind blew along the ground and set the spectators shivering in unison. The stamping of feet before the start was enough to wreck the grandstand. A small but enthusiastic band of City supporters made the journey, and gave the Grecians a hearty cheer as they made their appearance.

POMPEY
Robson
Probert Priestley
Harwood Crutchley Turner
Thompson Stringfellow Armstrong Buddery James

Referee: Mr I.Billiness, of London.

Dockray Lovett Goodwin Makin Connor Mitton Popplewell Rigby
Potter Coleburne
Pym
CITY

Both goalkeepers wore red jerseys, and Robson did a jazz dance towards his charge. Stringfellow beat Rigby in the toss, Exeter being set to face the cold wind, and Goodwin started the game.

The ball went out to Connor, who beat Priestley and sent over a grand centre which Goodwin just missed, but Lovett was on hand to head the leather just over the bar. Then Armstrong put James in possession, and from his centre Buddery shot a yard wide. The move was repeated, and Pompey, aided by the wind, continued to threaten the Exeter goal. A neat shot by Stringfellow was well caught by Pym, and at the Pompey end Dockray tried past Priestley, but was overtaken by the full-back. Friestley again distinguished himself by stopping Goodwin, and to dribble from his long clearance Thompson went clean through and centred. The move was completed by Stringfellow, who scored with a swerving shot which Pym handled, but failed to keep out of the net.

Potter, deputising for the injured Strettle, was keen enough but nervous, and the weakness in the Exeter rearguard was soon spotted by Stringfellow and his men, who kept Thompson plied with long and short passes. The rapid movements of the home forwards, and especially their swinging passes to the wings, kept the City defence on tenterhooks. With the wind, almost of gale force, at their backs it was easy for Portsmouth to plant the ball almost anywhere they pleased in the City territory, and the Exeter goal nearly fell in a big rush by Stringfellow and Buddery, who tried to force the leather over the line, but were foiled by Pym. Second Half.

Exeter City are getting a reputation for conceding penalties. Last week Newport County were awarded three, and today Pompey appealed three times. On each occasion there was a consultation between referee and linesman, and twice the decision was in the City's favour. But ten minutes from the close, after Popplewell had fouled Armstrong, the referee signalled for a penalty to be taken, and Turner scored from the spot with a soft shot along the ground that proved too quick for Pym to get down to.

CITY RESERVES V ROYAL MARINES.
Plymouth and District League 

In the absence of their "chiefs" at Portsmouth, the Reserves were at home to the R.M.L.I. in a Plymouth League match. Loram won the toss and the Marines kicked off. The Reserves got into their stride and quickly took the lead, Oldacre netting from a pass by Lloyd after three minutes. Oldacre obtained another goal three minutes later, this time from Lincoln's centre, this being the extent of the scoring.

There was an unpleasant incident in the second half. Twooze had been fouled several times by Cross, and eventually, after yet another trip-up, Powell punched the Marine in the face, knocking him out. Immediately after Cross had been carried off Powell was sent off the field by the referee.

Reserves:-
Loram; Nock, Twooze; Crawshaw, Powell, Chown; Collins, Croft, Oldacre, Lloyd, and Lincoln.

Marines:-
Morgan; Reeves, Slocombe; Broad, Starr, Hill; Cross, Walker, Marshall, Todd, and Taylor.