SATURDAY, APRIL 11TH.

CARDIFF CITY 1 EXETER CITY 0.

Exeter's Southern League opponents today, at St. James's Park, were Cardiff City, a team they have never beaten in competition football. Supporters of the Grecians hardly need reminding of that crushing defeat in the F. A. Cup of two seasons ago, when Cardiff, then a Second Division Southern League club, won in astonishing fashion by five-one.

The Cardiff party left home at 10.15 this morning, and arrived at St James's three quarters of an hour before the start.

Smith, Exeter's fine left half, was hurt yesterday at Home Park, and Pratt, who had well earned recognition on his recent displays with the Reserves, was given his place. The afternoon was fine, but the crowd was slow in turning up, although there was a last-minute rush for the popular side and the "flower pot" just as Cardiff appeared on the field looking very smart in bright blue jerseys and white knickers.

Brittan beat Rigby in the toss-up, and Exeter lined up at the lower end facing bright sunshine. The teams were:

Exeter:- Pym; Fort, Strettle; Rigby, Lagan, Pratt; Holt, Lovett, Whittaker, McCann, Goodwin.

Cardiff:- Kneeshaw; Britten, Doncaster; Harvey, Cassidy, Hardy; Seymour, West G., Devlin, West J.F., Evans.

Referee:- Mr. R. R. Crump, of Dulwich, London.

Cardiff deserved their victory, and in the second half might easily have scored another goal or two. They will be the first to admit, however, that Exeter had a day of misfortunes, and after the first half an hour were fighting an uphill battle all the way. Lagan sustained a bad injury to his knee half an hour after the start, and was assisted off the field. McCann dropped back to the left half position with Pratt now at centre-half, which is, of course, his proper position. Prior to Lagan's departure the City had had by far the better of the play, and in that time victory ought to have been made secure by the forwards.

In the second half Exeter resorted to the one-back game, and no-one could blame them under the circumstances. They were, however, a disorganised force, and although the forwards tried spasmodic bursts at times they rarely looked like breaking through. The goal that won the game was scored by Devlin, from a centre by Seymour. The attendance was 7,000.