SATURDAY'S FOOTBALL. THE ASSOCIATION CUP. SECOND ROUND. STOKE v. ASTON VILLA These teams met at Stoke-on-Trent. Even greater interest was manifested in this match than was shown in the first-round fixture with Preston North End a fortnight ago, and the ground was crowded, there being about 10,000 persons present, including a large contingent from Birmingham. The weather was most favourable, and the ground, though a bit heavy, was in fairly good condition. Stoke lost the toss, and on the ball being set in motion, the Villa right at once raced away with it, but it was quickly returned by Clare. The visitors, however, again invaded the Stoke territory, and gained no less than three throws-in close to goal, after which J. Brown put the ball over the bar. Keeping up the pressure, the Villa had the best of the play, but a capital defence was maintained, and at length Edge and Dunn rushed the ball down the field, and Warner was called upon to save four hot shots in quick succession. This he accomplished in a manner which elicited a hearty burst of applause. Eventually the ball was got away, and the Villa had a corner conceded to them, but it proved unproductive. The home players next took up the attack but Cox and Evans were all there, and the Villa gained another corner. The ball, however, was sent behind, this time by Albert Brown. The play was very fast, and a third corner fell to the visitors, but the leather was again sent behind. After this, a rush was made into the Villa territory, but the wind was against the home players, and the visitors had the best of the exchanges. McKnight sent in a grand shot from the right which Brookes saved cleverly, and Stoke returned to the attack but were unable to break through the defence. At length Albert Brown got away, and passing Brodie sent in a long shot, which, however, went rather wide. From a kick for a foul Evans sent in another shot, and the ball went through the posts, but as no other player had touched it in its course no goal was allowed. The Villa continued to have the best of the play, and Stoke played mainly a defensive game. At length the home forwards by a combined run carried the ball close up to the visitors' goal, and appeared very much like scoring, but the leather was fouled by one of the Villa backs. The free kick proved of no service, as it was badly taken. A swift run by Turner and Dunn was stopped by Evans, but directly afterwards Dunn went down with the leather again, and centring well, there was some brisk play in front of the Villa goal. The ball passed close by the crossbar, and an appeal for a goal was made, but it was not allowed. Some even play followed, until from a foul the visitors made a determined attack, which compelled Brookes to save his charge twice. The home forwards made repeated attempts to transfer the play to the Villa quarters, but the visitors met their rushes in splendid style, and maintained a most effective defence, and half-time arrived without either side having scored. On the change of ends the Villa set the ball in motion, and Stoke taking possession called on Warner to save several times. Aided by the wind the home players proved dangerous, but the leather eventually went behind. The visitors then retaliated, but the defence was not to be broken down, and Coupar getting away on the right transferred the play to the other end of the ground. Warner had to kick out, and then some even but very fast play followed. Each side put forth its utmost efforts to obtain the lead, and the utmost excitement prevailed amongst the spectators. Ballham sent in a dangerous shot, and a bout of disapprobation was elicited by one of the Villa backs deliberately fisting the ball out. The free kick did not prove of any advantage, but Stoke maintained an aggressive attitude, and, in repulsing a hot shot sent in by Clifford, Warner had to concede a corner. The corner kick was well taken, but it proved unsuccessful. Clifford put in some grand play and after dodging a number of his opponents, put in a shot which Warner only half cleared, and before the ball could be transferred to a place of safety Ballham rushed it through, and the first goal in the game was scored for Stoke amidst the almost frantic cheers of the spectators. Edge had hard luck in trying for a second point; and Warner again saved splendidly. The Villa transferred the game to the other end, and then Dunn was hurt and had to retire from the ground. Stoke continued the game with ten men, but fortunately Dunn's injury was not a serious one, and after a few minutes' absence he resumed his position in the team amidst much cheering. The game became a little rough about this time, but Stoke maintained their advantage, and about twenty minutes after the recommencement Turner sent the ball past Warner and secured a second goal for the home players. Encouraged by this success, Stoke continued to press their opponents, whom they kept actively engaged in strictly defensive play. The Villa had a free kick accorded to them, but they were unable to get the ball past the home defence. After an interchange of visits, during which each custodian was called upon to save, both teams put forth their best efforts, and some grand play followed, of a tolerably even character. The visitors made a rush for the home goal, and kept up the attack for some time; but the Stoke defence was all that their friends could desire, and prevented the Villa from getting near Brookes. A free kick for hands spoiled a pretty run by the home forwards; but they returned to the attack, and Ballham essayed a shot from a corner, but the ball went over the bar. Clare stopped a rush by Albert Brown and Campbell in a manner which was highly appreciated by the spectators, and by a huge kick he sent the ball half the length of the field. The game continued in favour of Stoke, every attack by the visitors being effectively repulsed. Ballham at length got a chance, but shot a little wide, and he likewise failed in a second attempt to score. As the time was getting short the spectators called loudly upon the home team to play up and to equal the score against North End, and Stoke, responding to the call, made gallant efforts to increase their advantage. The ball was kept almost entirely in the Villa half of the ground. Shot after shot was sent in and the visitors' had an exceedingly lively time of it. Warner was loudly cheered for the able way in which he negotiated a hot shot from Coupar; and Cox came in for a round of applause for his skill in frustrating an attempt by Dunn. Albert Brown caused a diversion by invading the home territory, but he shot behind, and then the ball was returned to the other end. Four minutes from time Coupar put in a low shot, which captured the visitors' citadel, a third goal being added to the Stoke score. The game was now practically over, but the visitors continued to play with spirit and determination up to the finish. When the whistle sounded Stoke were declared the winners of a grandly-contested match by 3 goals to none, thus passing into the third round of the competition by the same score that gained their entrance into the second round.