ECFC 2-0 Northampton Town
Scorers: Knight, Dailey
Attendance: 12745

EXETER CITY V NORTHAMPTON TOWN.

Wednesday, August 27th 1952.

CITY SCORE TWICE IN THRILLING CLIMAX.

Forward Line Changes Were Justified.

(MATCH POSTCRIPT BY NOMAD)

WHAT a finish!

St. James's Park has never been the scene of a more thrilling climax than that seen when the City and Northampton did battle there last evening. For 82 minutes the rivals had been locked in a cut-and-thrust struggle of abundant thrills but no goals.

Everything pointed to a stalemate ending. The defences were supreme. Both attacke seemed to be losing power when the City delivered non stop blows which caused the Cobblers' rearguard to wilt often, and surrender twice.

A long pass down the middle was the prelude to the first of Exeter's two goals. Little Jackie Knight, in telligent inside-forward who had been having an unlucky match. showed the quick-thinking touch by tearing through the gap. He got to the ball. It was bouncing awk wardly, and the average Third Division player would not have got it under control

But Knight had the situation under his skilled command, ran on, drew Wood out, and shot low part that old-timer who remains a com petent goalkeeper,

Baffled Defenders

To write that the City were inspired by Knight's goal is an understatement. They had the Northampton defenders baffled and bemused in the ensuing onslaughts of a final phase that was crammed with incident.

Persistence and perfect marks manship earned Dailey his first goal for the City. It was a long ball down the middle which proved a winner. Dailey was there. He beat Candlin in a duel for possession, and ended a speedy burst by beating Wood with a hard shot from close quarters. City had beaten a useful side by two goals to nil Moreover, the
triumph was deserved, despite the narrow first-half survival enjoyed by Exeter when Kelly turned to clutch a ball that had rebounded into play from the under-side of the crossbar.

Defence contributed a notable part to the victory. Walton had a sterling performance, and his many duels with Fowler, the speedy and skilled Northampton outside-left, were highlights of a contest which never flagged, As a replacement for the injured Kirkman, the local-born Stan Rowe proved once again that he is a deputy of no mean worth. Goddard stood out in the City's half-back line, and there were occasions in this match when his skilled positioning, and strong tack ling were markedly in evidence.

Clever Attacking

The two forward changes were Justified last evening. Mitchell made an encouraging debut on the right wing, while Knight's well-inten tioned move, although not always bearing fruit, were those of a seasoned and shrewd campaigner. Centre-forward Dailey earned the biggest cheer of the game when he scored. He deserved his goal. His dleplay was useful, and indications are that he will fill the bill.

The best City forward, however. was Murphy. Operating against his old club, he was as closely marked as anybody. but deft foot work invariably got him out of trouble, and his distribution was consistently good.

It was from Murphy that Wood made his best save of the match, a full-length effort in the first half. Regan had a satisfying match, especially in the second half. As to Northampton, they played much clever attacking football, with the Fowler-Ramscar flank more menacing than the right wing partnership of English and Mulgrew.

The Cobblers were a fast-moving force, and I liked particularly the work of left-half McLain, a sturdy defender who also pasdes intelligently.

City: Kelly: Walton, Rowe; Booth, Goddard, Fallon; Mitchell, Knight, Dailey, Murphy, Regan,

Northampton: Wood; Southam. Patterson: Davie. Candiin. MeLain: English. Mulgrew, Ramscar, Fowler. O'Donnell,

Attendance: 12,745.
Receipts: £1,079 16s 3d.