OPENING OF THE SEASON
Exeter City at Watford:

Saturday, September 2nd 1911.

Exeter City opened their Southern League programme for the new season this afternoon, at Watford. Their team, which was accompanied by Mr Chadwick and members of the directorate, left St. David's at 10.17 this morning.

The Grecians were without Parnell today. In the practice game a week ago he bruised his thigh in collision with Pratt, and though picked to play it was decided yesterday not to run the risk of a breakdown, Enos Whittaker being consequently called upon. Evans had also damaged his ankle, but was quite fit again, and the defence, therefore, including the halves, remained at last year's full strength. The new forwards were Rutter, at centre, and Lockett, inside-left. The fact that Cornan was still on the injured list rendered the management's task in picking the front line a simple one, the five chosen being beyond all doubt the best available. Generally speaking, it was a well balanced side, and was expected to do well.

The team which the West Herts management picked was much criticised, Middleton, who was secured from Brighton last year and who led their attack with such conspicuous success, being placed at left half. Ness, from the Everton Reserves, who has yet to make anything of a reputation, was given the centre forward position, and Dixon, late of Middlesbrough, the inside right berth, while on the other side of Ness was placed White, a younger brother of Tom White, the old Exeter forward. Smith and Grimsdell were both appearing for the first time in senior football.

Teams:- 
WATFORD 
Webster
Lockett Stewart
Smith Grimsdell Middleton
Tattersall Dixon Ness White Squires

Referee:- Mr. C. Austin, of Kidderminster.

Garside Lockett Rutter Watson Whittaker(E)
Prideaux Pratt Bassett
Coates Evans
Whittaker (W)
CITY

The City had an exasperating experience on the journey. To begin with they arrived late at Paddington and had to take. taxis to Euston, while the train from there was frequently delayed, with the result that they arrived on the ground five minutes before the advertised time of starting. They changed in double quick time, and came out at 3.40 in the broiling sun after a journey of more than two hundred miles.
There were 6,000 spectators present at the start. Lockett, the Watford captain, won the toss, but allowed Exeter to play with a slight advantage as far as the sun was concerned. Garside at once got away but Lockett (Exeter) put the ball into touch. Ness had a chance, but Watson beat him easily and Exeter continued on the attack. Middleton nipped across and spoiled Garside's centre, and Coates stopped Tattersall, but Watford came again and Evans checked their forwards. A fine tackle by Grimsdell on Rutter stopped Exeter breaking through. Prideaux headed away a centre by Squires, but Watford came again, and Whittaker saved from Dixon, then ran out to clear from White.
Half time arrived with nothing scored.

There were one or two exciting incidents in the second half. Harry Lockett missed when he had worked out a clear path to goal, and Garside, after showing a clean pair of heels to the backs, threw away a glorious chance from about ten yards out. Watford made a great mistake in moving Middleton from the position in which he was so successful during the latter part of last season, for Ness was much too slow for a centre, and most of the time seemed at a loss to know what to do. Exeter, who seemed much less affected by the great heat than Watford, missed Parnell, for E.Whittaker was rarely able to get past Stewart, and whenever he did he mostly put his centres over the bar. Lockett's passes left much to be desired, and Garside, like Whittaker on the other wing, did not judge his centres very well. Watson and Rutter were the best forwards, though the new centre forward was too prone to get offside.

Result: Watford 0, Exeter City 0.

Last season: Watford 2, Exeter City 2. In 1909-10: Exeter City 3, Watford 1.

Plymouth and District League
Exeter City Reserves opened the season at St.James's Park with a friendly match against Torquay Town. There was a fair sized crowd present at the start.

Reserves:- Chapman; Fort, White; Rigby, Martin, Griffiths;Arscott, Lewis, Bailey, Chenneour, and Climmer. Torquay:- Paltridge; Lawrence, Durbin; Tapson, Dean, Bassett; Tredigo, Pridham, Evans, Singlehurst, and Reed.

Bailey opened the scoring after five minutes, receiving the ball from Arscott. Chenneour netted the second goal, and had two more disallowed for handling the ball into the net. Exeter were having practically all of the play, and Arscott scored a lovely goal with a shot from near the touch-line.
Further goals were scored in the second half by Chenneour and Griffiths, the City thus winning by 5-nil.