Saturday, December 12th 1908.

SOUTHERN LEAGUE:
NORTHAMPTON TOWN v EXETER CITY.

The much feared Exeter City side did not shine at the County Cricket ground, Northampton, and sustained their first defeat in two months. The home side, second in the League, were faster and more skilful. Exeter had Crelley, the ex-Evertonian, at left back in place of Bulcock, for his first senior appearance in the City colours. The teams were :

NORTHAMPTON:

Cooch; Bonthron, and Lloyd-Davies; Manning, McCartney, and Dunkley;
Badenoch, Walker, Lessons, Lewis, and McDiarmid.

EXETER CITY:

Robinson; Craig, and Crelley; Ambler, Chadwick, and Johnson; Parnell, Watson, McGuigan, Bell, and Copestake.

Referee: Mr A. Adams, of Nottingham.

Watson won the toss for choice of ends, and Lessons started the game against wind and sun. In an early City attack Bell put the ball across to McGuigan, who headed just over the bar. Much of the game took place in the City's half of the field, and Craig distinguished himself by twice cutting out McDiarmid's centres, and robbing Walker at the expense of a corner, which was cleared. Robinson saved shots from McCartney and Mc Diarmid, and a tussle between the goalkeeper and Walker ended with Exeter getting a free kick.

At the other end McCartney headed a shot from Bell from right underneath the crossbar with his goalkeeper beaten, and in a further attempt to gain the lead before half time Bell put a beautiful header narrowly over the bar.

HALF TIME: NO SCORE

On restarting with the elements in their favour Northampton forced the pace, and fairly ran the City off their feet. When Exeter did get away McGuigan dashed between the backs on his own, but instead of going forward to shoot he passed to Bell, who was offside.

Northampton, who had done the bulk of the attacking, yet missed many chances, almost threw another chance away with only five minutes left. McDiarmid took a forward pass and skipped by Craig, but ended with rebounded to McDiarmid, and this time the Northampton winger passed to Lewis, who scored an easy goal. Northampton 1, Exeter City 0.

This was Exeter's first defeat since October 14th, and the first occasion this season on which they have failed to score at least one goal.

RESERVES v EAST DEVON LEAGUE

The City Reserves were at home to the East Devon League, in a friendly at St. James's Park, and a good game was anticipated. Exeter won the toss, and Chenneour kicked off for East Devon. Badcock and White took play to the other end of the ground, but the visitors got back, and Southcombe tested Fletcher, but his shot lacked power.

Bastin cleared a strong City attack, and at the Exeter end both Massey and Chenneour missed good chances. Exeter continued to press for some time, but then the League went down the field in full force and Southcombe, beating E.Wells, sent the ball to Massey, who beat Fletcher with a hard shot, putting his side one up a quarter of an hour from the start.

Although they mainly had Sturge to thank for keeping their goal intact, the League team was still leading by this goal by the time the interval arrived.

On the commencement of play in the second half the East Devon side got going immediately, and Massey kicked across the goalmouth. Before Fletcher could stop him Chenneour sent the ball into the net.

Exeter at once attacked from the kick-off, and less than a minute after the League's second goal Tierney at last beat Sturge with a hard shot from close range. The Grecians immediately surrounded the goalie again, and before Sturge knew where he was Singlehurst headed in the equaliser amid rounds of applause. The Reserves were awarded a penalty for hands against Fielding, and Tierney shot hard only for Sturge to field the ball cleanly and clear.

Exeter were now making great efforts to get ahead, and the Devon goalkeeper was kept exceedingly busy. At length he was beaten by a long shot from E. Wells, and with the Devon side being by now quite outclassed, further goals were added by Badcock, Singlehurst, and Badcock again.

Final score:
Reserves 6 goals, East Devon League 2.

EXETER CITY:
Fletcher; Fenwick, W.Wells; Letheren, Tierney, E.Wells; Sillick, Singlehurst, Drain, Badcock, and White.

EAST DEVON:
Sturge; Price, Birbeck; Bastin, Fielding, Nichols, Fullerton, Chenneour, Massey, and Southcombe.
Tapp;

Referee: Mr Blackmore.