Saturday, October 15th 1910. SOUTHERN LEAGUE.

EXETER v COVENTRY

Two "Cities" at St.James's Park

Johnson's Welcome

Exeter City and Coventry City met in a Southern League at Exeter this afternoon, and on the visiting side was Sam Johnson, the former City half back, who was accorded a warm welcome when the teams came out.
Coventry made several team alterations, and Bradley was brought up from centre-half to lead the attack. Exeter City fielded the players who were successful at Southend last week. Teams :
EXETER CITY
Whittaker Coates Jones Bassett Pratt Prideaux Parnell Watson Hughes Bell Garside
Referee:- Mr W.Davis, of Gloucester. Linesmen: Messrs J.Sheldon and E.J.Davis.
COVENTRY CITY 
Evans Saul Gordon Hickleton Boston Johnson Parkes Tickle Bradley Warren Buckle  

The early morning held fine, but before noon a heavy rain began, and continued up to the time of the start. The turf, having regard to the previous downpours of the week was naturally heavy, but there was an absence of anything like pools of water, thanks to the improved drainage system at St. James's Park. The "gate" was naturally affected by the rain, and there was an early rush for the grandstand and enclosure. Five minutes before the start there were about 3,000 present, but the rain then was not much more than a drizzle, so that there was every prospect of an increase in the crowd.
Saul beat Watson in the toss, and Exeter had to kick away from the town end. Hughes kicked off, and the City at once made ground, Watson and Parnell leading the raid. The move ended when Watson put the ball wide of the posts. The City halves between them misjudged the bounce of the ball, and Coventry looked dangerous until Coates cleared with a long kick to touch. Garside put across a good centre, but Saul was first to reach it, and he put Bradley through with a good pass down the middle of the field. With Exeter unable to clear their lines the ball went out to Buckle, who beat Coates and centred to Tickle, who dashed in and scored a splendid goal for Coventry. The visitors were having the best of the game at this stage, and Bradley led another quick rush towards the Exeter goal, but Buckle put the ball over the bar. Coates was frequently in difficulties against Warren, and the Exeter defence was drawn out of position when Warren gave Buckle a good pass on the left. From the resultant centre Parkes scored Coventry's second goal.

AN OPEN GOAL
Bassett kicked behind from a throw-in near the Coventry goal line and Garside did very much the same after Prideaux had got the leather away from the Coventry forwards. Directly afterwards Hughes received a headed pass from Parnell, and with Gordon floundering the Exeter centre forward shot too high, missing a practically open goal, amid groans of disappointment. Parnell made a good attempt from 20 yards out, but generally speaking the home forwards were weak, and Garside once completely missed a pass sent through to him, being unmarked at the time. Although Exeter had a few chances, they were too slow, and the interval arrived with the score:
Coventry 2 Exeter City nil.

SECOND HALF:
The rain had stopped when the game was resumed, and there were now five thousand present. Hughes at once got through and forced a corner. This was averted, but Bassett put the ball back into the goalmouth, and Evans saved twice in rapid succession, only for Hughes to rush in and open the City's account amid great cheering. For the first time in the match the City became the dominant side, hemming Coventry in and forcing several corners. Garside was forced into touch when going along the line, and then, from Bradley's pass Parkes made headway but was beaten by Jones. A centre from Buckle looked dangerous, but the ball went outside before Tickle could get to within reach of it, and at the other end, from Garside's centre, Watson skimmed the crossbar with a sudden drive. Whittaker came out and saved from a Coventry corner, and a minute later Garside and Bell beat Saul for speed, and Garside put the ball into the net, well out of Evans' reach, bringing the scores level at two goals each. But in less than five minutes, following a corner, the ball bobbed about in front of the Exeter goal, and Tickle scored easily while the City were appealing for offside. It was a soft goal, and had Exeter played to the whistle it would not have been scored. Watson and Parnell dropped back to assist the defence, the halves often floundering against the smart Coventry forwards. The City then played the one back game, Coates coming up, and the visitors were several times offside in consequence. Coventry were much the better side in the closing stages, and Coates was none to safe. Jones was hurt in covering one of his mistakes. Bell kicked over the bar in a brief Exeter attack, and Saul was hurt in a collision with Hughes.
COVENTRY CITY 3-2 EXETER CITY 

Last season: Exeter City 3 Coventry 0. In 1908-09: Coventry City 3 Exeter 0.

Coventry were a strong and workmanlike team at St. James's Park, and thoroughly deserved to win. Just as on the heavy ground, and in rain, against Crystal Palace, Exeter City showed their real form only in flashes. They were lifeless compared to Coventry, and showed very little of the form they displayed at Southend. The City half backs were, for once, a big disappointment, and at back Coates, who appeared not to relish the conditions, made several mistakes. Jones and Watson were Exeter's best players.

SHERWOOD FORESTERS v CITY RESERVES.

Plymouth and District League

Played at Crownhill in wet weather. Smith opened the scoring for the Reserves, but a good chance to go further ahead was wasted by White, who missed from the penalty spot. In the second half James put on Exeter's second goal with a hard drive from about twelve yards, and in sharp attacks by the soldiers Wells saved in quick succession from Jennings, Denning, and Sherman. Denning scored for the Foresters but Whittaker restored the City's advantage following a free kick.
Final score: Reserves 3 Foresters 1.

• EXETER CITY V ARGYLE. In connection with the St. Sidwell's Shopping Week, the Exeter City management have arranged a friendly match with Plymouth Argyle, to be played on the Wednesday.