Saturday, April 3rd 1909.

SOUTHERN LEAGUE:
PORTSMOUTH  EXETER CITY.

The Grecians made their first appearance at the famous Fratton Park ground of the Portsmouth Club, where they played a return Southern League match.
On November 29th, the City beat Portsmouth by 4-1 at St. James's Park, after leading at half time by 2-0. This match will be remembered from the fact that Portsmouth's right-back, John Smith, a young man in his first year with Pompey as a professional, unfortunately broke his leg during the course of the second half, and for six weeks afterwards remained under treatment at the Royal Devon and Exeter hospital.
Ambler was reported to be suffering from a chill, and Copestake was given the right half position with White making a quick return to the team at outside left. Before today's match the teams were level on 38 points, Portsmouth being third in the table and Exeter fourth.
The weather was beautifully mild, and the ground in ideal condition. The time of waiting was occupied with a reserve match, and the famous Pompey chimes were often heard.
Teams:
PORTSMOUTH:
Cameron;
Warner, and Clipstone;
Banks, Buick, and Yates;
Kirby, McCafferty, Reid, McMahon, and Dix.
EXETER CITY:
Robinson; Craig, and Crelley; Copestake, Tierney, and Johnson; Parnell, Watson, McGuigan, Bell, and White.

Referee: Mr L. Bullimer, Northampton.

McGuigan kicked off, and Copestake was early in evidence, but the first attack was made by Pompey, and ended with the ball going over the bar. Tierney set Parnell going, and Watson was checked by one of the Portsmouth backs, but McGuigan secured the first corner of the match. Parnell placed it well, but Warner headed clear to Dix, whose run down the wing was stopped by Tierney, the ball going behind for a goal kick. White led the next Exeter attack, but this was repulsed, and two minutes later McMahon slipped through in the centre between the Exeter backs, and gave Robinson no chance with a well directed ground shot into the corner of the net. This happened eight minutes after the start, and two minutes later McCafferty headed a beautiful goal amid tumultous cheering from the spectators, about 8,000 in number.
Portsmouth were now playing with the utmost confidence, and Reid broke right through, but Robinson dashed twenty yards from his goal and kicked clear just in time. Directly afterwards Dix struck the goalpost, but Robinson was well positioned and would have saved had the shot been on target.
In a rare Exeter attack Parnell passed to Watson, who put the ball harmlessly wide, and Cameron easily saved a weak attempt from White. Similarly McGuigan hesitated, and passed to White, when he would have done better to have gone through on his own. Further attacks by the home team resulted in Reid striking the crossbar, and Banks shooting too high. McCafferty screwed a shot wide with Robinson scrambling across his goal.

Half-time:
Portsmouth 2 goals, Exeter City nil.
The second half started at the same fast pace, and Portsmouth at once attacked, but McCafferty shot weakly behind. Craig made two well timed clearances, and from the second Tierney put Bell in possession. The inside-left was fouled, and the free kick led to a sharp attack, from which Parnell sent wide. Exeter were playing with more spirit in this half, and doing nearly all the attacking, for Pompey seemed to be content with the lead they had established before the interval. Portsmouth lost Banks with an injury, and with only ten men were at times hard pressed to keep the Grecians at bay, but time ran out with the final score:
Portsmouth 2 goals, Exeter City nil.

CITY RESERVES v ST. AUSTELL,
FRIENDLY MATCH.

3rd April 1909

Exeter City's second professional team beat St. Austell by 4-2 in a friendly match at St. James's Park, after leading 3-2 at half time. Warner started the game for the Grecians, and Kinner was quickly in action, saving from Wells. St Austell got to the City end, and forced a corner. From the ensuing play Holberton scored a lovely goal for the Cornishmen, a high shot sailing into the top of the net. On restarting Wells got away, and after dodging two or three opponents, put the City level with a long shot, Kinner handling the ball but failing to save. Further goals were added by Singlehurst and Wells, while a minute before the interval Hoskins scored one for St. Austell. Towards the end of the match Wells headed Exeter's fourth goal, and St Austell were given a penalty against Fenwick, but Fletcher saved the shot.

Exeter: Fletcher; Fenwick, Bulcock; Oliver, Eveleigh, Letheren; Drain, E. Wells, Warner, Singlehurst, and Pengelley.
St Austell: Kinner; Brabyn, Hisbent; Blight, Holberton, Baker; Thomas, Ennis, Donnelly, Hoskins, and Penrose.