Easter Monday, April 12th 1909.
Friendly match :
CITY v ARGYLE,
at St. James's Park.

For the fifth time this season Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle came into opposition. The match, although only a "friendly", aroused much interest throughout Devon, and a good attendance was expected. Blustery weather prevailed, but there was every indication, an hour before the start, that the ground attendance record would be beaten. Over two thousand supporters of the "Dandies" took advantage of the excursions from Plymouth, and from 2 o'clock onwards St. Sidwell's Road was the scene of a continuous line threading its way to the scene of operations. The Grecians resorted to three alterations, McGuigan appearing for Watson, who was resting a bad cold, and Bulcock for Crelley. Robinson was still not well enough to resume his place in goal, and Fletcher was substituted. The Plymouth eleven, though not their strongest, was a very good one, and the changes they made did not in any way diminish the chances of a fine struggle. Previous results this season:

*Exeter City 2 Plymouth Argyle 1, at Exeter, November 11th.
**Exeter City 1 Plymouth Argyle 0, at Plymouth, December 26th. ***Plymouth Argyle 2 Exeter City O, at Plymouth, February 6th.
*Plymouth Argyle 4 Exeter City 0, at Plymouth, March 10th.

*Southern League,
**Friendly,
***English Cup.

The kick-off was timed for 3.15, and half an hour before that time 6,000 were present. A strong wind was blowing across the ground, and would have some effect on the play. Argyle favours predominated in the enclosure, and they were evidently very keen about the Pilgrims bring ing off the "rubber", each side so far having won two matches. At 3 o'clock the enclosure was packed, and the flower-pot stand was also rapidly filling up. The Argyle, led by Clark, appeared at five past three, and met with a rousing reception, but nothing to that accorded Wake when he led out the Grecians. The City captain won the toss, and decided to play away from the St. James's Road end with the wind slightly in Exeter's favour. The teams lined up as follows:

THE CITY
Fletcher 
Craig Bulcock
Ambler Johnson Wake
Parnell McGuigan Drain Bell Copestake

Referee: Sgt-Major Adams.

Leavey Ingham Warburton Hakin Cook Wilcox Clark McCormick
Atterbury Cudlipp
Sutcliffe
THE ARGYLE

Exeter were the first to attack, but Cudlipp intercepted Bells pass, intended for Copestake. When Bell did manage to find Copestake with a pass the winger made ground at a great pace, and the Plymouth goal was in imminent danger. The excitement was already reaching fever heat, and had it been another cup-tie the incessant roar of cheering could not have been keener. Sutcliffe saved from Drain, and the City were having decidedly the best of matters. There were now over 10,000 spectators present, and as the crowd was still coming in there was every chance of the record being passed. McGuigan made an opening for Parnell, and Drain presented the City winger with a similar chance, but in each case the wind carried the centre behind. Ingham led an attack for the Argyle, and the ball was passed out to Cook, whose centre was too far in front of his inside forwards. The Argyle kept up the pressure for a time, then Bulcock made a long clearance, which found Bell. The City's inside-left beat Cudlipp and put Drain through, but faced only with Sutcliffe the Scotchman put his shot several feet wide of the posts. The wind was bothering the visitors a great deal, and so far Exeter had done by far the most attacking. Drain and Johnson both shot wide, and Sutcliffe saved a grounder from Bell. For a time the City were all over the Argyle, and after Bell had nearly bustled Sutcliffe through his goal Copestake skied the ball over the bar when it looked easier to put it underneath. The Argyle made a spirited attempt to take the lead just before half time, and though Johnson relieved with an overhead kick, Clark fastened on to the ball and fired just over the top.
Half time:
CITY 0-0 ARGYLE 

The Argyle took the lead all against the run of the play. Fletcher ran out of his goal but was too slow to get the ball, and a tame shot by Cook was helped into the net by the wind. Later Ambler retired with a damaged knee, and McGuigan also broke down and had to leave the field. Until they were thus reduced to nine men the City had had the best of the game, and were unlucky to lose.
Final score:
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Exeter City. 

PLYMOUTH LEAGUE:
CITY RESERVES V ORESTON ROVERS

This match, at St. James's Park, was played in the morning on account of the big "Devon Derby" in the afternoon. Oreston brought their full side, but there were several alterations in the Reserves' team, and Chadwick decided to give his knee a test.

Teams :

Exeter City Reserves:- Fletcher; W. Wells, E.Wells; Warner, Chadwick, Tierney; Sillick, Eveleigh, Singlehurst, Letheren, and White.

Orestone Rovers: Williams; Woodley, Northcott; Couch, Bastin, A.Ellis;
Northey, Powell, Nicholson, Carder, and H.Ellis.

The only goal of the match was scored just before the interval by Carder, who converted a centre from Northey with a ground shot into the corner of the net. Northey netted again but the whistle had blown for offside.

Result: Oreston 1-0 Reserves.