MATCHES PLATED YESTERDAY.
THE LEAGUE.—REPLAYED MATCH.

ACCRINGTON v. ASTON VILLA.

Accrington and Aston Villa played their League battle over again at Accrington.

The weather was cold and the ground frost-bound. There were only about 2,000 spectators. The Villa won the toss, and Accrington started the game with the sun in their faces. The Reds were at once repulsed. Hay was not called upon, and the homesters retaliated in fine fashion, the Villa backs having all their work cut out to prevent a score.

Warner saved, and at the other end the Villa forwards had a fairly good opening, but the chance was missed. Then Accrington took a very strong position, and Warner cleared again. By degrees Kirkham and Whitehead worked the ball into the visitors' quarters, and Evans missing his kick, Irvine scored the firt goal for Accrington after a quarter of an hour's play.

After this reverse Villa forwards played finely, and several times Tom Hay had to clear.

A minute or so later one of the Accrington hicks landed the ball right in front the goal, but the free kick was got away, and Kirkham and Whitehead took the ball the field, Irvine's final shot going over the bar.

At the other end Hay had to save from Dickson and Hodgetts, and Accrington having taken unproductive corner the Villa forwards raced down only to see Campbell spoil a fine chance when he had the goal at his mercy.

As the result of a rush by Thomson and Elliott the Villa backs had an anxious time of it for a few minutes, but eventually their left wing got off, and the home goal was seriously endangered, but the danger was cleared, and the Accrington team getting down the field again. Kirkham and Whitehead had shots at the goal, the former nearly beating Warner.

Accrington continued to keep up the pressure, Elliott scoring.

At half-time the score was —Accrington, two goals Aston Villa, nil.

In the second half the Villa were the first to show up, but they did not become really dangerous, and a smart run by Elliott and Thomson resulted in strong pressure being put upon the Villa goal, Irvine finishing up with a bad shot.

The game now turned round in favour of the visitors, and after they had taken a corner Athersmith sent in a flying shot which beat Hay.

Then the Accrington forwards overcame all obstacles, and between Whitehead and Kirkham there ought to have been a score, but the chance was missed.

Again Accrington were to the fore, and after Whitehead shot wide, a centre of Thomson's was turned to no account, though it deserved a better fate.

Playing very strongly the Villa attacked vigorously, and a corner was converted into a goal by J. Devey, the score thus being equalised.

A severe onslaught was now made by the Reds on the Villa charge, and after Warner had once or twice saved, Irvine met the leather and put through.

Directly after Whitehead had a glorious chance of increasing the Accrington score, but he shot high over the bar.

The Villa forwards had fruitless visits to the other end, and Accrington. who were playing very strongly, got into dangerous quarters and a fine shot from Thomson gave Warner a handful.

The attack was renewed, and once or twice the Rods had very hard lines.

Considering the hard state of the ground, the game was well contested, and Accrington's display was by no means inferior to their opponents.

Generally speaking, there was little scientific play, but there were some clever individual performances. Whitehead and Kirkham played a strong game, and were well supported by the other forwards.

Final Score : Accrington 3 Aston Villa 2