EXETER CITY 2 NEWPORT COUNTY 1.

Played at St James's Park, Exeter, on
Saturday, March 19th, 1927.

Glorious weather favoured the Football League match at St James's Park, between the City and Newport County this afternoon, on a firm playing pitch. Exeter made one alteration from the team which was so narrowly defeated in the sensational match at Bournemouth last week, Miller coming in for Potter at left half. It was hoped today that Blackmore, who has set up a new record for the City in League football, would be able to further increase his total of twenty five goals.

Exeter City: Randall; Lowton and Charlton; Ditchburn, Pool, and Miller; Purcell, Mc Devitt, Blackmore, Lievesley, and Compton.

Newport County:- Maidment; Anderson and Hinton; Nairn, Pritchard, and Bowsher; Johnson, Weaver, James, Gittens, and Hiles.

Referee: Mr A.Richards, of Bristol.

Exeter were the superior side in the first half, and were clever in approach work, although both Compton and Purcell finished poorly when well placed. It was mainly due to the inaccurate centres of the wingmen that Newport were able to keep their goal intact until the interval. In the second half the home forwards attacked briskly and quickly took the lead, Compton netting with a swift shot after Purcell had placed the ball across the goalmouth. Newport did better for a time, but Exeter went further ahead when Blackmore and Compton made an opening for Purcell, who coolly drove the ball past Maidment, who appeared to be un-sighted. Play deteriorated, and the City were kept on the defensive until the end. Newport finished their moves as badly as Exeter had done in the first half, and it was close on time when James reduced the lead, beating Randall with a shot off the underneath side of the crossbar. Randall played well in goal for the City, and Lowton and Charlton were sound and resourceful backs. Lowton in fact gave a great display, his timely interventions frequently holding up Gittens and Hiles. The half backs did well until the last twenty minutes, when they lost their grip on the game. McDevitt was the brains of the attack, and Compton provided most of the thrust, but Purcell had an off-day, most of his centres being badly placed. Blackmore got the ball into the County net in the first half, but was adjudged to have been offside.

NEWPORT COUNTY RESERVES 1 EXETER CITY RESERVES 1.

The Southern League match at Somerton Park ended all-square. Newman's goal for the City before half-time was nullified by one from Carney after the interval.

The City Reseves team was: - Bailey; Garratt, Potter; Pullan, Good, Walker; Newman, Thompson, Phoenix, Dent, and Parkin.