Saturday, April 17th 1909.

SOUTHERN LEAGUE:
EXETER CITY v NORTHAMPTON TOWN.

Northampton Town paid their first visit to Exeter, being welcomed at St. James's Park by one of the biggest crowds of the season. This match was undoubtedly a rare "tit-bit", for the Cobblers are almost certain of the Southern League championship,- (this morning they wanted only two points to be absolutely sure of it) while Exeter are struggling to keep in the first half dozen in the table.

Today's match, moreover, was the first League encounter at the City ground since Swindon Town won here by 4-1 on March 17th, since when Exeter have on six successive occasions appeared on foreign soil, losing thrice, winning twice, and drawing once. Apart from Drain and Johnson, who were standing in for McGuigan and Chadwick, the City were at full strength. The Cobblers fielded their strongest possible combination, Manning appearing again at right half vice Hickleton.

At three o'clock the crowd numbered fully 5,000, and there was an indication that the anticipated 10,000 would be present. The ground appeared to be in good condition, and there was an appearance by now of the turf springing into new life. The weather was mild but rather dull, and showers from time to time threatened.

Teams :
EXETER CITY:
Robinson; Craig, and Crelley; Ambler, Johnson, and Wake;Parnell, Watson, Drain, Bell, and Copestake.

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

Referee: Mr T.Kyle, of Aylesbury.

Northampton, who played in white, were greeted with a loud road of cheering from a number of their supporters who had made the long treck from the Midlands. Drain kicked off, and gave Parnell a good pass, but Lloyd-Davies got the better of the winger, and put into touch almost at the corner flag. The City, attacking towards the St. James's Road end, made a vigorous appeal for a penalty for hands, but Mr Kyle waved play on. Northampton so far had been penned in their own half of the field, and with the City having all the opening play they forced a corner on the left. Copestake placed the ball with fine judgment, and after Bonthron had headed partially clear, Johnson, with a good effort, volleyed over the bar. Northampton became dangerous for the first time, and when Robinson threw the ball clear Lessons regained possession and the goalkeeper had to save a sharply rising shot. Watson made ground and passed to Copestake, who gave Cooch a "daisy-cutter" to deal with, but the Cobblers were now settling into their stride, and after Johnson had kicked the ball clear it came out to Freeman, who quickly screwed it past Robinson for the opening goal. It was a clever shot, but on the run of the play Northampton did not deserve the goal.

THE EQUALISING GOAL
Copestake had a rare tussle with Bonthron, but the old Manchester United player came off best, and the ball went behind. Another good move ended with Lloyd-Davies intercepting a pass intended for Parnell, and Craig had to give a corner when worried by Freeman. Then Robinson just managed to tip a shot from McDiarmid over the bar for another corner, which again proved unproductive. Just five minutes later, Copestake raced through at great speed, and was unfairly brought down by Bonthron. From the free kick Wake lofted the ball into the goalmouth. A scrimmage ensued, and the ball s finally bustled through by Drain, the City thus equalising five minutes before half time. It was not a goal of the same quality as was Freeman's, but nevertheless well deserved on the run of the play.
Half-time:
Exeter City 1 Northampton Town 1

Exeter began with an attack on the left. Wake passed to Copestake, but Manning stopped the move by putting the ball into touch. Bonthron intercepted Copestake's intention, and passed to McCartney, who sent in a lightning drive that just cleared the Exeter crossbar. Another combined movement by three of the Cobblers! forwards spelt danger but it broke down through one of them running into an offside position. Copestake, who was playing a plucky game against the uncompromising Bonthron, gained a corner which was beautifully placed, and Parnell narrowly missed the Cobblers' goal. However, Exeter's second goal was not long in coming, and it was worth going a long way to see. Taking a pass from Copestake, Bell sent the ball across to Watson, who put in such a magnificent drive from fifteen yards that Cooch was hopelessly beaten by the speed and power of the shot. The Exeter skipper was overwhelmed by his delighted colleagues, and certainly deserved all the praise he got. Northampton went "all out" to try and retrieve the game, Freeman testing Robinson with a fierce shot and Lewis shooting just wide. But the Northampton defence appeared to be tiring, and at the finish the City were still doing most of the attacking.
Result:
Exeter City 2-1 Northampton Town 

NOTES ON THE GAME

This was the finest game yet seen at Exeter, and something approa ing the record crowd, with about 9,000 present. The City just about deserved their victory, but it was very close. Watson's goal won the match, and it was a powerful and accurate drive into the corner of t net from at least fifteen yards out, the goalkeeper being beaten by the speed of the shot. Freeman was the best of the Town's forwards. He scored their goa and had bad luck with a hefty shot in the last few minutes that ser to bring out the best in Exeter's international goalkeeper. The whol City side played well, especially Parnell and Copestake in attack, Crelley in defence.

PLYMOUTH AND DISTRICT LEAGUE
Liskeard v City Reserves 

Exeter City Reserves travelled to Liskeard, where they were held a goalless draw by the local side.