Saturday, December 18th 1948.

NORTHAMPTON TOWN 4
(English, Garrett 2, Fowler)  

EXETER CITY 0

Half-time 3-0. Attendance 7,850.

It is no consolation to Exeter City that they enjoyed more of the play at the County ground, Northampton. Though the margin somewhat flattered the "Cobblers," victory rightly went to the side which showed greater enterprise in attack and was more reliable in its defence. Two simple goals in the first ten minutes settled Exeter's fate. The first was scored by English, son of a former Exeter City manager and a young outside-right who may go a long way in the game. He profited from Rowe's misjudgment in clearing to beat Hoyle from close range. Garrett, a thrustful forward of the type Exeter could do with, netted the second following a misunderstanding between Hoyle and Walker.

NORTHAMPTON:- Ansell; Smalley, Barron; D.Smith, McCoy, Stanton; English, Freiman, Garrett, W.H.Smith, Fowler.

EXETER CITY:- Hoyle; Warren, Rowe; Bartholomew, Walker, Fallon; Dymond, Harrower, Smith, Mackay, Regan.

From then until the interval the City raided often, but the shooting was lamentable, and the worst of many blunders were the failure of Smith to score with only Ansell to beat and the inability to convert a penalty by Bartholomew. Garrett shot Northampton's third goal two minutes before the interval. A few seconds from the end Fowler shot the final goal, Walker being unfortunate to deflect the ball past Hoyle.

Southern League
CITY RESERVES 0
CHINGFORD TOWN 0

On their first visit to St James's Park, Chingford were fortunate to get a point in a goalless match against the City Reserves. After a promising start they faded out, and although giving a grand display of goal-keeping Moodie must have been beaten several times had the Exeter forwards taken advantage of many opportunities.
City team:- Singleton; Johnstone, Clark; Evans, Davey, Jeffery; Hutchings, Cumming, Johnston, O'Hagan, Grant.