BINNEY MAKES HIS DEBUT AND EXETER BEAT NORTHAMPTON AT LAST

Saturday March 21st. 

Exeter City 1 Northampton 0.

Fred Binney, who made his debut for Exeter City this afternoon after costing £5,000 for his transfer from Torquay a week ago, had his followers at the "Park" this afternoon. Behind the goal at the far end of the ground young supporters had draped a banner over the railings, which read "Welcome Back Freddie." Binney, so successful while on loan to Exeter last season, lined up at inside-right today in place of Alan Banks, who was dropped. This was Exeter's fifth match against Northampton this season, and before this afternoon they had not in fact beaten the "Cobblers" for 14 years.

BINNEY PROMINENT.

Exeter had to concede a corner in the opening minute, but Wilson took McNeil's centre well despite being hemmed in. After four minutes Exeter almost took the lead. Giles found Binney, who made ground, and had a fine 25 yards shot just wide of the post with Book beaten. A typical overlap by Crawford on the right, from Mitten's crossfield pass, had Northampton retreating, but Book came to their rescue with a good save from Gadston. In the next attack Binney just failed to reach the ball after being put through by Mitten. And it was the persistent Binney again, who was the most prominent City forward in these early stages, who forced a corner off Clarke with the Northampton defence at sixes and sevens. When Northampton did at last get going Fairbrother put in which was too high and Large repeated the processs. a shot

GADSTON SCORES.

Book saved Northampton again when he pushed out a shot from Binney and then dashed out of his goal to take the ball from Mitten as the City man moved in. But in the 43rd minute the City took the lead. Mitten dropped his centre into the goalmouth, and Gadston, standing unmarked, headed the ball past Book and into the net. Exeter might have increased their lead in the second half after a good move between Gadston and Binney, but Gadston shot wide as he was tackled. In the last minute Brookes sent McNeil away, and from his centre Ross shot wide. Exeter kept their lead and at last had defeated their "bogey" team.

Attendance 4,981.

Exeter City:- Wilson; Crawford, Blain;
Parker, Sharples, Balson; Giles, Binney, Gadston, Wingate, Mitten.

Northampton:- Book; Fairfax, Brookes; Clarke, Rankmore, Kiernan;
Felton, Ross, Large, Fairbrother, McNeil.

Subs: Morris (Exeter) Knight (Northampton).
Referee:- Mr R.A.Paine, of Hounslow.