ECFC 4-3 Newport County
Scorers:Kirk 3, Lievesley
Attendance: 7,000

EXETER CITY v. NEWPORT COUNTY

Exeter wore their red jerseys with the white "v" necks, and the County their usual yellow and black stripes. The middle of the field at St James's Park was a sandy waste, and there was a wide pathway of sand through to each goal. There were seven thousand spectators present to see Charlton win the toss, but for once this success carried no advantage, for there was no wind and no sun, and the sky was overcast.

Saturday, February 21st.

EXETER CITY 4 NEWPORT COUNTY 3.
Last season: City 5 Newport 0.
Exeter City: -
Bailey 
Pollard Charlton
Pullan Crompton Potter
Matthews Kirk Blackmore Lievesley Shelton

Referee: Mr F.W.Reeve, of Devonport.

Cook Forward Taylor Turnbull Charlton
Carney Fred McKenzie Nairn 
Frank McKenzie Wetherby
Maidment
Newport County: -

Opening with a very smart move between Taylor and Turnbull, the Ironsides got the ball out to W.Charlton, who middled promptly, and although Taylor was glaringly offside the referee allowed him to go ahead. But for the very timely intervention of Pullan, who came over at top speed, Newport would probably have secured the lead in the first half-minute. The skill of the visiting forwards, and the smartness of their half backs were the big features of the next few minutes, and the Exeter rearguard had to be very lively to keep the County out. The ball was being used to splendid advantage by Taylor and Turnbull, and at length from an excellent pass Charlton (Newport) got away in possession half a yard in front of his name sake of Exeter. Newport won the race and Bailey had to dash out and smother the ball as the Newport Charlton was in the act of shooting. Exeter now took up the running, and set about their opponents in energetic manner. Maidment at full length saved a daisy-cutter from Lievesley, and there was plenty to excite the crowd. At the end of ten minutes' play they had something to cheer, for Kirk obtained a 

highly spectacular goal. Shelton received from Kirk, and taking the ball direct to the goal-line swung it to the front of the crossbar. Lievesley prevented Maidment from clearing effectively, and as the ball came away from a half-punch by the goalkeeper Kirk met it and fired it hard into the top of the net.

Encouraged by this success the Grecians gave Newport a very hard time, and would have increased their lead had Matthews made better use of his chances. Kirk's opportunism nearly brought about another goal, for he nipped in at rare speed to capture the ball when Nairn was hesitating, and shot just outside the far post. Newport's best attempt was made by Fred McKenzie, ten minutes before the interval, by beating Blackmore and feeding Cook, and then following up to put a fearsome looking shot inches over the bar when Cook's centre had been partially cleared by Pollard. Kirk received a special ovation for his splendid play when the teams went in at half-time, with the score:
Exeter City 1 Newport County 0.
SECOND HALF.
Three minutes after the restart Shelton rounded Wetherby and made a shrewd inwards pass to Kirk, who tapped the ball round McKenzie, went after it at top speed to shoot low into the net for the second goal to the Grecians. There was a wild demonstration of joy when another three minutes had gone by, for Kirk completed the "hat-trick." The ball came over from a throw-in by Potter. Blackmore headed it on to Kirk, who with fine resourcefulness steered it between the County backs and into the net past the astonished Maidment. Kirk nearly got another one shortly afterwards, for he was speeding goalwards in his inimitable style when he was grassed in the penalty area, but appeals for a penalty fell on deaf ears. The rain which had been threatening now came down in torrents, and conditions became very difficult and very unpleasant for the players. Taylor scored for Newport, Lievesley restored Exeter's three goals margin, and in an exciting finish Turnbull and Forward got one each for the County.

NEWPORT RESERVES v CITY RESERVES.

In the Southern League match at Somerton Park this afternoon the City Reserves were beaten by five goals to one. Exeter's goal was scored by Appleyard.