SATURDAY'S FOOTBALL
THE LEAGUE.

ASTON VILLA V. BOLTON WANDERERS

Aston Villa suffered a second defeat in the League competition, being beaten by the Bolton Wanderers by 2 goals to 1.

The result came as a surprise to the Villa supporters, who, although anticipating a fast and good game, never doubted the Villa's ability to win it.

If the match had taken place at Bolton its result would have been looked forward to with great anxiety ; but on Saturday the Villa were playing at Perry Barr, where they have done such brilliant things this season.

The eleven, although constituted as before, were a far different team, as judged by their play, which may be fairly described as indifferent.

The forward work lacked that verve and finish which had previously characterised it, whilst the backs were not nearly so safe as usual.

Of course the sodden state of the ground greatly interfered with smart play, but could scarcely account for the looseness of style which marked the Villa's forward play, especially in the first half.

There is no denying that Bolton had considerably the better of the fight up to the interval. They started vigorously, although having to play up the hill, and in the first two minutes Warner's dexterity was called into play, inasmuch as a fine shot from Munro came across from the left and was an exceedingly difficult one to stop.

Two more attempts were made to lower the Villa's colours, but met with no success, and then the Wanderers were compelled to assume defensive tactics.

Although the Villa gained a corner-kick, they could not break down the grand defence of Jones and Somerville.

For the next few minutes the game was very evenly contested, and each goal was in turn menaced, but neither fell.

Then the Wanderers gradually assumed the upper hand, and the forwards headed by the brilliant half-back play, were very aggressive.

For a long time they were kept at bay, but just thirty minutes from the kick-off Munro screwed the ball into goal and Warner missed it whilst I attempting to kick it away. This, the first goal of the match, was well received by the spectators, who numbered about 4,000, although, judging by their cries of "Play up, Villa," they would rather have seen their favourites get a point.

The Villa did try harder in response to these appeals, and, as the result of some clever centring by Hodgetts, a most exciting scrimmage ensued right in the mouth of the Bolton goal. The ball bit the crossbar twice, but would not go through, and at the interval the Wanderers led by a goal to none.

There can be no denying that the Villa combination had so far been very poor, and the forwards had fallen an easy prey to the opposing half-backs, who were tackling with great skill and judgment. It improved, however, in the second half, and during the first five minutes the Bolton Wanderers were continually defending.

Sutcliffe saved several brilliant shots, and at length the game once more became very even, as Warner stopped a low shot sent into goal by McFetteridge, and Sutcliffe dealt just as easily with a shot from Athersmith.

Backwards and forwards went the ball, but the ‘Wanderers' attack was always more rigorous than that of the Villa, and as the time drew on the defeat of the home team seemed inevitable, and it was only a question as to by how many goals the visitors would be successful.

Then, however, Hodgetts got well away with the ball, and screwed it finely into goal. One of the other forwards-probably Hislop, it was impossible to tell with certainty-was well up, and he equalised, amidst great enthusiasm.

The Villa now played better than at any time during the progress of the match. Attack followed attack in quick succession, and the downfall of the Wanderers' goal seemed certain.

Shots by Devey and Athersmith were stopped finely by Sutcliffe, to whom, there is little doubt, the credit of the a victory belongs. His goalkeeping was perfect, and he well merited the cheers bestowed lavishly upon him.

For fully ten minutes the Wanderers were never in it, but the Villa, trying as hard as they could, were not able to score.

Time was drawing to a close, and a draw seemed the only result possible. Then, however, Munro made a fine individual run. He was not looked upon as seriously menacing the Villa's goal, for Cox stood between him and Warner. The Villa back easily secured the ball, but then the unforeseen happened. Cox kicked and the ball accidentally struck Munro in the chest and rebounded past Cox. Before the latter could recover e himself Munro had dashed past him, and, with a swift, sure shot, had won the match, as, although several minutes for play remained, the Villa were unable to score.