Wednesday, December 30th 1908.

FRIENDLY:
EXETER CITY v 2ND BATTALION COLDSTREAM GUARDS.

Contrary to expectations, Exeter City were able to bring off their friendly at St. James's Park, the game being played on a covering of snow, three or four inches deep. Exeter put out practically a reserve team, with Wake as captain, but McGuigan was brought in at the last minute as Eveleigh failed to turn up. 

CITY:
Fletcher;
Fenwick, Wilson;
Wake, Chadwick, Oliver;
Parnell, McGuigan, Drain, Pridham, and White. 

GUARDS:
Leese;
Smith, Napier;
Haywood, Barrett, Croome;
Leach, Fiddler, Oxley, Watson and Hawes.

Referee: Mr F.J.Harvey.

The Coldstream Guards, who are top of their Division in the Spartan League, beat Morriston (Swansea) on Christmas Day by 5 - 4, but lost at Yeovil on Monday, 5-2.

The attendance, as could only be expected in view of the weather, was very poor, there being only 500 present at the start, but this was later increased to 1,000.

The Guards, the biggest team ever seen at Exeter, playing in red and white horizontal stripes, were soon driven back to the vicinity of their own goal, and although the City forwards were soon working patterns in the snow, goals were hard to get, for a forward could make sure of nothing at less than three yards range. It was a case of kicking the ball and a couple of pounds of snow at the same time. Leese saved well from Drain and Parnell, and Fletcher had a hot one to stop at the other end. At the expiration of 20 minutes, after Wake and Wilson had been beaten, Fletcher dashed out ten yards or so, but failed to reach the ball in time, and Watson gained possession to score a simple goal, shooting into the empty net. Exeter's best chance fell to Pridham shortly before the interval, but with the goal at his mercy the City inside left put his shot into the side of the net.

At half time the Guards led by a goal to nil.

The Guards opened the second half very strongly, and quickly had Fletcher in difficulties, and after ten minutes Watson obtained their second goal. The City, anxious not to be defeated by an amateur team, attacked strongly for several minutes, but the Guards broke away once more in a sudden rush, and Leach put across a centre from which Oxley added their third 

EXETER SCORE AT LAST

Try as they would, nothing for a time came the City's way. At last, however, a centre from White was snapped up by Drain, and he scored with a fine high shot, while two minutes later the same player added a second goal from close range. For the first time now, a little genuine excitement crept into the exchanges, and after a few swinging
passes Parnell scored the equalising goal. This was snatching the game out of the fire with a vengeance, but a draw was not enough for Exeter, and Chadwick found the net with a beautiful shot, six goals having thus been scored in less than twenty minutes.

The City now continued to sweep all before them, and Leese was bombarded with shots and headers. Parnell missed three times by the narrowest of margins, and at the other end Fletcher was left freezing with cold. Pridham added a fifth goal for the Grecians, the Guards being obviously outclassed in the last half an hour.

Result:
Exeter City 5, Coldstream Guards 3.

This was the most remarkable game ever seen at St. James's Park. Exeter City, taking matters far too easily, allowed the amateurs to score three goals in about four inches of snow and then they pulled themselves together. Playing at full speed, the City completely, overwhelmed the Guards, and obtained five goals in just over 20 minutes.