FOOTBALL MATCHES PLAYED ON SATURDAY.
ASTON VILLA v. WEDNESBURY OLD ATHLETIC, ENGLISH CUP (FOURTH ROUND).

The meeting of these old opponents as above, at the Oval, Wednesbury, was productive of great interest, a large concourse of spectators—quite 8,000 strong—witnessing the match.

A large number came from Birmingham, two specials having to be put on.

The weather turned out very favourable and the turf was in splendid trim, and with the exception of Davis’s absence from the Villa team, owing to an injured leg, both sides were well represented.

At 3.12 the home team kicked off, but the Villa soon showed to advantage, gaining a couple of corners, and then from a free kick Pank sent the ball well in, and Vaughton headed a neat goal, about four minutes only having elapsed.

Upon resuming, the Villa forwards continued to play in their best style, Hunter, Brown, and Vaughton being especially conspicuous, and after some minutes the play was confined to the home territory, but then Roberts and Woodcock came away In fine style, and turning the leather to G. Holden a beautiful shot by that player equalised matters.

Shortly after this a combined run by the Villa forwards gave Hunter a chance, and a very hard shot from his foot hit the post with great force, and rebounded through, the second goal thus falling to the Villa.

Upon resuming, the Wednesbury men became busy round the Villa goal, but a capital run by Whateley gave Hunter the leather, but he shot wide.

Holden and Roberts now showed up well, and the latter middled to Woodcock, who again placed matters on level.

This fast scoring naturally caused great excitement, and the delight of the Wednesbury partisans knew no bounds when three minutes later, Holden sent the ball well in, and Woodcock, rushing up, again lowered the Villa colours.

For some little time give-and-take play was the order. Whateley making some fine runs, while just previous to half-time a very clever middle by Hunter gave Vaughton a chance, but Kent very dextrously saved his goal, and just after Clarke saved a good shot from Morley.

For a few minutes after the change the ball remained in the centre, but Woodcock then made a fine run, and Roberts sent in a fast shot and the Villa goal fell for the fourth time.

Matters now looked ominous for the Villa, especially as upon resuming they were penned for some time; but Hunter, Whateley, and Brown raised the siege, but the ball did not remain at either end long.

Together G. Holden. Woodcock, and Roberts making some fine runs for the home team, and Simmonds and Clarke were kept hard at it. Kent, too, was called upon to save shots from Dawson and Horton, while a shot by Brown hit the bar and toppled over, and a splendidly placed corner by Lee was finely headed out of danger.

During the last ten minutes the Villa, especially Vaughton, made strenuous efforts to score, but time arrived, leaving the Old Athletic winners 4 goals to 2.

The play was very fast throughout, and the Athletic won upon their merits Davis’s absence undoubtedly weakened the Villa team, and throughout the Villa outside wingmen were not up to form.

However, Hunter, Vaughton, Whateley, and Brown played remarkably well, the two former especially working very hard; while Lee and Clarke defended well.

The Old Athletic played in excellent form, the fine runs of Woodcock. Roberts, and G. Holden being very noticeable, the former playing splendidly. The back division all played well. Kent being very good in goal.

Sides: Aston Villa : Goal. W. Clarke back, J, Simmonds; halfback. E. Lee. T Pank. S. Law; forwards, Archie Hunter (captain), A. Brown. T. Horton, H. Vaughton. Dawson, O. Whateley.

Old Athletic: Goal. Kent; backs. H. Moon (captain), J. Stokes; half backs, T. Hodgkiss, J. Cliffe, J. Holden; forwards, G. Holden, A. Grocutt, A. Woodcock, R. Motley, J. Roberts.

Umpires, Messrs, W. H. Mason and B. Holmes.
Referee, Mr. J. H. Harvey, Honorary Secretary Sheffield Association.