SECOND ROUND OF THE CUP:

NORTHAMPTON GET REPLAY WITH FIVE MINUTES TO GO EXETER CITY BAULKED IN LAST DITCH STAND

Saturday December 6th 1969.

NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1
EXETER CITY 1.

An equalising goal by the Northampton substitute, Neal, in the last five minutes means that Exeter City and the "Cobblers" will have to replay their second round F.A.Cup-tie at St James's Park. This will take place on Wednesday December 10th, kick-off 7.30 p.m. Judging from this afternoon's 1-1 draw at the County Ground the City fully deserved this result, and must be favourites to win at the second attempt.

Exeter City:- Shearing; Crawford, Balson; Morris, Sharples, Parker; Pleat, Banks, Wingate, Gadston, Mitten.

Northampton:- Book; Fairfax, Brookes; Clarke, Rankmore, Kiernan; Felton, Weaver, Large, Fairbrother, Knight.

Subs: Corr (City) Neal (Northampton). Referee:- Mr M.Washer, of Bristol.

Exeter went ahead in the 26th minute through Wingate after being on top in the first half. In the second period Northampton, as expected, came more into the picture, but the City continued to work hard, and it seemed as though they were going to clinch a place in the third round until that late setback. Early today a sprinkling of snow was laying on the County Ground. Then a thaw set in, leaving the surface extremely wet, and by the time the teams appeared the snow had all but melted away. There were quite a few Exeter supporters present, many of whom had travelled overnight. The speed of Felton took him past two Exeter players in the opening minute and led to a Northampton corner. Exeter held out and cleared the danger, then Parker intercepted a pass intended for Fairbrother in the centre circle.

CITY PLAYERS IN THE WARS.

Banks chased a long clearance by Shearing and collided with Book, who together with Banks needed treatment for a knock on the head. A poor clearance by Book was taken by Pleat, whose left-footed shot was saved by the goalkeeper. Twice Wingate was heavily brought down, but the City gained nothing from either of the free kicks. Again Parker neatly cut out a low centre from Weaver. With the turf saturated players of both sides were slipping and sliding about, but so far Exeter had equipped themselves well. When Parker slipped on the greasy surface Mitten doubled back to give cover as the Northampton forwards moved in. Then Banks was caught in an offside position when Gadston put him through. Up came Crawford, indulging in his favourite overlapping on the right wing, but after getting the ball from Pleat wasted the opening by mis-kicking. Then Pleat cut inside his full-back and let fly with a daisy-cutter which travelled narrowly wide of the target.

CITY TAKE THE LEAD.

In the 36th minute Exeter took the lead. From a weak goal-kick by Book Pleat headed the ball down to Wingate, who lashed it straight into the net from about 25 yards. The goalkeeper just stood quite helplessly as the flying ball crashed into the top of the net, and needless to say, the crowd was completely stunned. Certainly, so far Exeter had given Northampton more trouble than they had received in return, and well deserved to hold the advantage in terms of goals scored. Shearing had had very little to do, but when he was at last called upon he was not found wanting, and when Northampton gained a corner the City goalkeeper fielded the ball cleanly despite being under pressure from three opposing forwards.

HALF TIME:
NORTHAMPTON 0 EXETER CITY 1.

A free kick from Crawford at the start of the second half was taken well by Book, and at the other end a rising shot by Large was caught cleanly by Shearing under the crossbar. When Exeter moved forward again Wingate's header was fumbled by Book and the ball rolled over the line for a corner. From the flag - kick Wingate just failed to reach the ball, which was headed over the top by Sharples. The Cobblers almost equalised in the 50th minute when a high centre from Felton found Large and the burly centre-forward won a battle for it with Shearing. The ball went to Fairbrother who put it in the net but the linesman signalled for offside against Large.

NORTHAMPTON FIND THEIR FORM.

With half an hour still to be played Northampton began to find their form and show more aggression, and from a corner Rankmore's glancing header skidded not far wide. The speed of Felton was again evident, but after beating Parker and Balson he then beat himself by pushing the ball too far forward. Neal, the Northampton substitute, replaced Knight in the last twenty minutes, and just afterwards the Exeter goal had an escape when a shot from Fairbrother hit the crossbar with Shearing beaten. Northampton were now pressing for the equaliser, and with less than five minutes left they got it. A free kick by Brookes sailed high into the City penalty area, and as the ball dropped Neal headed it into the net via the shoulder of Crawford. Four Exeter City supporters travelling to Northampton for the Cup-tie were injured slightly when their van crashed at Shepton Mallett, but they still reached the ground in time with the help of a hired car.