SLUMP IN SCORING: POINTS SHARED Exeter Fail to Pierce Cobblers' Defence

Wednesday, September 16th 1931.
EXETER CITY 0
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 0

Poor finishing cost Exeter City a point in the return game with Northampton, played at St James's Park on Wednesday evening. In fine weather, very nearly 7,000 people assembled to watch the game, and while they had their fill of excitement they were disappointed at Exeter's inability to pierce the defence of the Cobblers.

Exeter City:- Davies; Baugh and Miller; Clarke, Ditchburn, and Barber; Armfield, Purcell, Varco, Houghton, and Doncaster.

Northampton:- Hammond; Inglis and Anthony; Allon, Odell, and Davies; Scott, Dawes (A), Mortimer, Wonnacott, and Weston.

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

Taking the view, apparently, that the end justifies the means, Northampton in defence showed very bad sportsmanship. Twice Anthony was penalised for holding Armfield by his shirt to prevent the Exeter forward getting away, quite a few times the visitors were guilty of handling in glaring fashion, while the number of free kicks given against them for fouls was legion. Yet in their own penalty area the Cobblers were most careful in their conduct. The contrast only served to show how calculated were their methods. If every team in the League played. this type of game the competition would soon be discredited. The nearest Exeter got to winning the match was when midway through the second half Varco drove with terrific force against the roof of the net just inside. the crossbar, the ball crashing to the ground and then being cleared. Exeter claimed that the ball had entered the goal, but the referee was not certain, and gave the defending side the benefit of the doubt.