SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL
LEAGUE COMPETITION - DIVISION I

ASTON VILLA V. EVERTON

The successful manner in which the Villa have commenced the present season had the effect of creating a great deal of interest in Saturday’s match at Perry Barr.

The visiting team were Everton, who have succeeded in inflicting so many defeats on the local players, and when they made their appearance on the frill there were about twelve thousand spectators present.

Everton were fully represented whilst the Villa played the same eleven as that which won the matches against the West Bromwich Albion and Burnley.

In he first half the Party Barr men played towards Wellington Road, and three minutes from the start a freak cheer announced their first success. It was mainly due to Athersmith’s great speed. Receiving the ball at some distance from the goal, he at once sprinted past the back, centred, and Hodgetts, running in at the right moment, shot the ball inside the net.

During the next few minutes the game was evenly, and stubbornly contested, but neither side gained any material advantage. The Everton forwards displayed wonderful dodging and dribbling, but indulged too freely in that kind of work, and neglected to pass. The consequence was that the Villa half-backs were enabled to stop their advances more easily, and, indeed, for some time the visitors did not really become dangerous. Their play was much too showy to be deadly.

On the other hand, the Villa forwards seemed imbued with one idea-namely, to get goals, and their rushes at times put one in mind of the Albion attacks. Jardine, however, proved himself a very fine custodian, whilst Howarth played brilliantly in defending the approaches to the goal.

A fine shot by Hodgetts was splendidly stopped by Jardine, and then the Everton forwards worked their way up the field, and Geary made an attempt to race away. He was, however, tripped up by Cowan and the free kick yielded no result.

Soon afterwards Athersmith made another of his characteristic dashes for goal, and his centre flashed right-across the mouth to Hodgetts, who seemed certain to-score, but, amidst great-laughter, he kicked the ball yards too high.

The Villa now pressed hotly, and Dowds and Cowan made fine shots, which were but a few inches too high. A change then came over the game. Working hard on the left Chadwick and Millward took the ball close to the Villa goal, where it was entrusted to Geary. A sudden burst of speed took him safely past-the backs, and no one doubted but that the score would be equalised. At the critical moment, how- ever, Dunning dashed out and met the .forward, but he only partially stopped the ball. Geary made a gallant effort to reach it but failed by a few inches, and it just rolled out.

This occurred a few minutes before the interval, and until the referee's whistle was heard the Villa had matters all their own -way. They made a prolonged attack on the Eveton goal, but although some excellent shots were made none went through, and when they changed positions, therefore, the Villa only led by 1 goal.

The game in the first half bad been very fast, but later on, the right wing of Everton had done little or nothing, and the attacks had, therefore, been considerably weakened.

On restarting, play was just as fast as before, and after a few midfield exchanges the Villa ran well up the field. Near goal Fleming spied his opportunity and, dashing in, shot swift and low. Jardine stopped the ball but it fell at his feet, and ere he could pick it up Fleming had reached it, and the next moment it struck the back of the goal net. It is needless to say that this success was the signal for loud cheering

This reverse put the Everton men on their mettle, and they made several strong attacks. Latta was cheered for a fine ran and shot, which, however, was saved by Dunning, and on the left Dowds made a grand run, and centred squarely into the Everton goal month, but the backs cleared. A long kick by one of them gave Geary a chance, and he finished a spirited run by a good shot. The ball twisted out of Dunning’s hands, and rolled over the goal-line.

The game now became more open than ever. and the visitors played very-strongly. Chadwick and Millward gave Stokes no end of anxiety, but he played grandly, and has the making of a first class back. On two or three occasions, Everton, who were having the best of the play, looked like scoring, and the spectators began to cheer the Villa to renewed efforts.

They responded gamely, and, from a pass by G. Campbell, Fleming shot the ball through again; but the referee gave the former off-side.

It was not-long, however, ere a genuine goal was scored, Hodgetts made a long pass to Athersmith, who centred well, and Devey, being in a good position, obtained a beautiful point, and the match was as good as won.

Up to the finish the Villa had the best of the play, and about three minutes from time Fleming scored again. The Villa thus won by 4 goals to 1. In trying to save the last shot Jardine twisted his knee, and was carried off the field.