GRECIANS DEFEATED AT HOME PARK
Argyle Maintain Their Winning Sequence
Christmas Day 1911.
SOUTHERN LEAGUE:
ARGYLE v CITY.

Crute in Goal for Exeter City:

ARGYLE 3 EXETER CITY 1.
Last season: Argyle 0 City 0.
In 1909-10: Argyle 1 City 0.

The Grecians played the second match of their holiday programme on Christmas Day afternoon, being opposed by Plymouth Argyle, at Home Park. There were several heavy showers of rain during the morning and a keen wind was blowing, but despite the weather the attendance numbered fully ten thousand. The Argyle were represented by their usual side, against which the City, who have scarcely been able to field the same team at any time this season in two consecutive matches, once again had to make changes. With Chapman and Walt Whittaker both injured a new goalkeeper had to be found, and Crute, the amateur goalkeeper of Babbacombe, was called upon to fill the role. It was a big risk for such an important match, but Exeter had no choice. Crute is a very good goalkeeper in the sphere of Plymouth League football, but there is of course a lot of difference when it comes to the Southern League type of game. To make matters worse the Pilgrims have recently completed a very successful sequence of results this month, and in their previous four matches had beaten Luton at Luton by 3-0, drew at Reading 1-1, beat Watford at Plymouth 5-1, and New Brompton at Gillingham 1-0.

The Game.
Commencing against the wind the Argyle quickly worked their way down, Burch trying a shot which went just outside. Exeter lost no time in responding, and Wilcox, clearing in a hurry, conceded a corner, McCormick cleverly conducting the ball out of danger after home defence had experienced an anxious moment or two. The City were back again just afterwards, and lost a splendid chance through Whittaker slipping as he was about to centre. The Argyle forwards made several attempts to break through, but found Bassett and company in good trim, and their clever interceptions were generously applauded. Kirkpatrick raced off along the touchline, but his centre landed in the mud surrounding the area of the goal, and Evans booted the ball away. Boden made a clever individual effort, but Raymond, who received his pass, was prevented from shooting by Evans, while Kirkpatrick was similarly robbed by Bassett. At the other end Horne saved well from Watson, and a fast drive from Lockett was charged down by McCormick.

Kent Scores for Exeter.
Kirkpatrick was again the means of playing the Argyle into an attacking position, but the shot which Burch put in was a very weak one and Crute saved with ease. In the next Plymouth move Kirkpatrick received the ball from Burcl and cut right in towards goal, but his shot struck the crossbar, Raymond putting the rebound over the bar. Exeter's turn was not long delayed, and a rapidly executed movement by Watson and Kent got the home backs bewildered, and Kent, shooting in his stride, totally beat Horne from fifteen yards' range, the goalkeeper having no chance of saving. The City's next attack was halted by Butler, who got in the way of a shot from Watson, and several chances were wasted by Boden. for Plymouth, his shooting being badly at fault.
Half-time:
CITY 1-0 ARGYLE
Second Half.
On the restart Raymond cleverly engineered an opening, but Boden shot into Crute's hands, and the City's new goalkeeper saved at full length from Raymond just afterwards. The City then had a narrow escape when a shot from Boden struck the bottom of the upright with a terrific drive. Wilcox caught the ball on the rebound, but his shot was charged down, as was one from Raymond a moment later. Watson then tried a shot which went just wide, and Butler stopped Whittaker almost on the line. Butler's clearance went to Evans, who miskicked, and Raymond ran through and shot. Crute smothered the ball and was immediately surrounded by the home forwards, the referee's whistle coming to his rescue. The City goalkeeper was kept fully occupied in the next three or four minutes, and turned a fine shot by Raymond round the post for a corner, but was finally beaten by McCormick's point-blank drive. With the scores level the game was continued with renewed vigour. Boden sent over from Burch's pass, and McCormick was unlucky with a fast grounder which struck the bottom of the upright with Crute at the other end of his goal.
Argyle Take the Lead.
Butler also joined in the fusilade which the Exeter goal was being subjected to at this period, and the full-back was little wide of the mark with a good attempt. Argyle, however, were not long in taking the lead. Burch, accepting a pass from Boden, sent in a swift low shot which Crute stopped well enough, but the ball was so greasy and had such an amount of force behind it that it slipped from the custodian's hands and was two feet over the line before he could recover it, a goal at once being awarded. Raymond shared the luck of his colleagues in driving the ball against the upright, but five minutes from the close McCormick placed the game beyond all doubt, heading a lovely goal from a corner kick.
Notes on the Game.
The first half saw the City superior, their long passing causing the Argyle defence some anxiety. Horne made brilliant saves from Watson and Whittaker, while Crute easily disposed of shots from Boden and Burch. Exeter held the whip-hand for long periods, and it was no surprise when Watson put Kent through to score following a combined move. Watson nearly repeated it a minute later but Horne just got to the ball in time. After the change over, the Argyle, with the wind in their favour, came more into the game, but Baker spoiled several chances by fouling. McCormick netted against the run of the play, but Exeter then fell away and Burch forced the ball over the line to put the Argyle ahead for the first time. Plymouth swarmed all round the Exeter goal, and McCormi ck headed the third goal, Crute just failing to save. Although the game was contested under the most adverse conditions, play often reached the high standard, and the big crowd had their money's worth. The City, superior in the first half, nevertheless enjoyed some good luck, as on four separate occasions the ball struck an upright with Crute in no position to save. Apart from Evans, the Exeter half backs were rather weak, and gave their forwards little support. Watson, who has seldom, if ever, played a bad game in nearly four seasons at Exeter, strove valiantly in his new position, and Whittaker was not far behind him in merit among the City forwards. Once or twice in the second half Crute was simply overwhelmed against the weight of the Argyle attack, but he kept goal quite brilliantly, and apart from the second goal which he ought to have stopped, was not to blame for the shots which beat him.

ARGYLE Horne; Butler, Atterbury; McCormick, Wilcox, Baker; Kirkpatrick, Burch, Boden, Raymond, Dixon.

CITY Crute; Fort, Coates; Evans, Bassett, Prideaux; E. Whittaker, Kent, Watson, Cornan, Lockett.

Referee:- Mr W.E. Russell, of Swindon.

CITY RESERVES v ARGYLE RESERVES.

Plymouth and District League match, at St. James's Park, in wet and stormy weather. Exeter Reserves were very weak, and failed to adapt to the conditions as did the Argyle, who had most of the game in the first half and scored two goals. Worden opened the scoring and Daniels put the second goal through. During the interval a heavy storm of hail and rain drenched the spectators on the popular side, whereupon they invaded the grandstand and enclosure. The Argyle were much the better side and should have added to their score, but Pym played superbly in goal for the City and saved many likely shots. The Argyle missed a penalty kick, given against Lewis for "hands", the ball being shot wide of the post by several yards. The final whistle sounded as another heavy storm came on, spectators and players alike being glad to get away.