OPENING OF THE SEASON
Southern League:
West Ham v Exeter City
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2nd,
at Upton Park, London.

Exeter City opened their Southern League campaign at the Boleyn Ground against West Ham United, and thus, as last year, their initial appearance was made in London. Last season the Grecians did not meet West Ham until April 1st, and then the Londoners triumphed by 4-1. On April 21st, at St. James's Park, however, the City avenged this defeat, winning by 1-0. On the latter occasion they had by far the better of the game, and would have won by a much bigger margin had it not been for the splendid goalkeeping of Dawson, who substituted Kitchen.
The Exeter team, accompanied by Messrs McGahey and Oliver, two of the directors, Mr Thomas, secretary, and Jack Banks, trainer, left St. David's Station just after noon, the kick-off being set back until half past five. The ground was in perfect condition, and a crowd of 5000 spectators was present. Teams :
WEST HAM:
Kitchen; Shreeve, and Fairman; Whiteman, Piercy, and Randall; Ashton, Shea, Haynes, Blackburn, and Caldwell.
EXETER CITY:
Crossthwaite; Craig, and Crelley; Ambler, Chadwick, and Atkinson;
Green, Watson, McGuigan, Bell, and Copestake.

Kitchen won the toss, and McGuigan started the game. Green was forced to touch, and Chadwick came to the rescue when Haynes got away. Kitchen was then called upon, and sent the ball to half-way. Haynes gave Ashton a chance, and the winger tested Crossthwaite with a sharp drive from an angle. Watson was fouled in midfield, but his subsequent pass to Green fell short. Exeter were now pressing, and their halves were well up in support of the attack. But all against the run of the play Shea got away on his own and scored single-handed five minutes after the start. Exeter replied with plenty of pretty football, but failed to turn it to advantage. Kitchen tipped over a shot by McGuigan, and Green put one just over the bar. West Ham gained a fruitless corner after Crossthwaite had put a long drive from Shea over the bar. The City were still playing the better football, but when Watson back-heeled a pass to McGuigan the centre-forward miskicked, and the ball went tamely behind. Copestake put a shot into the side of the net, and Haynes was stopped by Craig and Atkinson between them. West Ham went further ahead when a penalty for hands was given against one of the Exeter backs, and Shea scored from the kick. Half time came with the Hammers leading by two goals to nothing. The City restarted without Crelley, who had received a kick in the first half, and Crossthwaite saved a fine shot from Haynes. When the City attacked Kitchen fielded a high dropping shot by Bell. Shreeve just kicked away in the nick of time, and Crossthwaite skied over from Green's centre. In a sharp West Ham attack Shea headed over the bar, then from a pass by Bell, McGuigan rushed in and scored with a ground shot, making the score 2-1. Exeter continued to attack, the play of their forwards and halves being excellent, but Kitchen, who played a magnificent game in goal for West Ham, frustrated all their attempts to score.
Result:
West Ham United 2 , Exeter City 1.