Christmas Football

ARGYLE BEAT CITY AT HOME PARK

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 3 EXETER CITY 1.

The Christmas Day meeting of the Argyle and Exeter City, at Home Park, Plymouth, attracted fifteen thousand spectators, who saw the Pilgrims win by three goals to one. The match was played under difficult conditions, with alternate patches of sunshine and drenching showers and a strong wind from end to end. Rigby beat McCormick in the toss, so that the City had a considerable advantage in the opening half.

ARGYLE
Craig
Russell Atterbury
Forbes McCormick Dickins
Gallogley Jack Flood Kellock Dixon

Referee: Mr C.E.Green.

Dockray Henderson Goodwin Lovett Oldacre
Mitton Popplewell Rigby
Strettle Coleburne
Pym
CITY

For the first fifteen minutes Exeter applied great pressure, Dockray and Oldacre adopting the correct game in continuously swinging the ball into the centre, where the wind curled it about in such a fashion as to make it embarrassing for the Pilgrims.

Craig had to be on the alert to punch out a puzzling drive by Oldacre, which swirled in on the wind, and one from Lovett, driven in with great force, but which was straight at the goalkeeper.

The City forwards, however, failed to make the most of their advantage, and they had no-one in their line who was the equal of Gallogley, who played a great game for the Argyle. From one of his centres Dixon whipped a tremendous cross shot just wide, and from another of Gallogley's passes Flood came boring rough the centre, Pym having to advance from his goal to prevent a score. After about fifteen minutes the Argyle settle down, and in these stages Pym was more often in action than his opposite number, in spite of the howling gale and occasional rain. Dixon again shot past the post, Jack centred to Kellock, whose header flashed a couple of feet wide, and Pym saved from Flood. With about two minutes to go for the interval, however, Exeter broke away on the left in a fast attack, and Doc kray centred. The ball eluded Craig, who fell full length in an attempt it, and Oldacre dribbled it into the unguarded net. From the restart Dixon went off at full speed, and hit the bar to reach with Pym beaten. Flood followed up too closely to secure the ball from the rebound, and Strettle kicked clear.

Interval :

ARGYLE 0-1 CITY

On resuming the Argyle at once commenced a sustained pressure that continued, with the exception of a few breaks away, until the end. Exeter, now facing the conditions, packed their goal, and in this way managed to thwart the attack for some time.

From one of several corners a melee developed in the Exeter goalmouth, and the ball was forced over the line. The referee had signalled for a goal kick, but after being prevailed upon by the Argyle players he consulted one of the linesmen, then awarded a goal. It was impossible to see who, if anybody, had scored.

Forbes cleared from Goodwin, and play remained in the Argyle territory for a minute or two, but a free kick by McCormick went to Flood, who got into position directly in front of goal, and scored with a fast ground shot. The Exeter backs defended with resolution, but were inclined to concede too many free kicks, and from one of these Kellock got through to score the third goal for Plymouth. Pym made many excellent saves in this half, whereas on the other hand Craig only touched the ball once, apart from taking a few goal-kicks.

CITY RESERVES V ARGYLE RESERVES.

At St James's Park, Exeter, on Christmas Day, in connection with the Plymouth and District League. Plymouth Argyle Reserves met with defeat for the first time this season, the Grecians' Reserves scoring two goals, both by Chown, to nil.

Exeter City Reserves have played nine League matches, of which five have been won, one drawn, and three lost.

It was learned from Plymouth that the Argyle's equalising goal at Home Park, in the first-team match, was scored by Jack, who is one of three sons (all footballers) of the Plymouth manager.