THRUSTFUL GRECIANS OVERSHADOW NORTHAMPTON Hat Trick by Wrightson: Hurst Injured but Carries On 

Wednesday September 5th 1934.
EXETER CITY 3 NORTHAMPTON TOWN O.

A "hat-trick" by Wrightson, the most accomplished forward on the field, enabled Exeter City to gain a convincing victory against Northampton at St James's Park on Wednesday evening.

EXETER CITY
Chesters
Gray Miller
Clarke Angus Lewis
Scott Wrightson Hurst Dudley Dryden

Referee:- Mr A.J. Brown, of Bristol.

Wells Cochrane Henson Boyle Brown McMenemy Melville Riches
Dawes Bennett
Baker
NORTHAMPTON

Wrightson's goals are detailed: -

1. From Clarke's forward pass parallel with the touchline Scott gained possession and centred nicely from the corner flag to Hurst, who has a tussle with the Northampton backs. The ball ran loose and Wright son scored with a low shot which Baker failed to reach.

2. Baker fisted out a free kick from Clarke. Scott retrieved the ball and centred for Hurst to strike the angle of the goal, with Baker on the ground. Wrightson met the rebound volley, the ball flying into the unguarded net. on the

3. The third goal was remarkable. Wrightson manoeuvred deftly, close to the touch-line. He side-stepped, feinted, and side stepped again, and then drove goalwards at what looked to be an impossible angle. Baker jumped, completely misjudged the flight of the ball, which curled high into the net via the far post.

All these goals were scored in the first half. The City never looked like losing this game. Fore and aft they were immeasurably superior to the Cobblers, whose efforts were slow and laboured by comparison. The best football of the match was seen in the first half, when Exeter were at their peak. They kept the ball moving freely and accurately. Passes were made where they should be, on the floor, and the Northampton backs were given very little respite.

AN OUTSTANDING FULL BACK.

On the whole Exeter were a well balanced and thrustful bunch of players. They were sound in defence, and Miller was again easily the outstanding full-back. There was class behind everything he so skilfully accomplished. A polished defender, he attained the maximum of effect with the minimum of effort. Gray, whose dashing style is so perfect a foil to his partner's cool and crafty play, could get his place in any Third Division team. Deadly in the tackle, and speedy in recovery, he gave the experienced Cochrane and Wells combination little chance at all to shine. Even a painful bruise over the eye, the result of his colliding with Wells in the first half, failed to take the edge off Gray's keenness.

HURST INJURED.

Unfortunately Stanley Hurst was unable to do himself justice for the greater part of this game. He was badly shaken in collision with Dawes early on and sustained a severe gash in his forehead. The injury, which necessitated him leaving the field, was bound up, but re-asserted itself after the interval. Blood poured from the wound and he completed the game heavily bandaged. Under this handicap he nevertheless carried on with a never-say-die spirit and is to be commended on his pluck.