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SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL.
THE LEAGUE-DIVISION I

These teams met for the first time this season on the Molineux Grounds, Wolverhampton, before an attendance of spectators which was smaller, doubtless, than would otherwise have been the case, owing to the showery character of the weather.

The Birmingham men were the same that opposed Everton last week at Liverpool, but the Wolves' committee made several changes in the composition of their team, Lawrence, a promising reserve man being given a trial as extreme right forward, Devey being sent to the extreme left vice Johnston, and for the first time this season R. Topham, the well-known amateur, who was formerly associated with the Casuals, took his place again as centre forward.

Mr. Fox, of Sheffield, was unable to set as referee owing to illness, and his place was filled by Mr. Lockett, of Stoke, the secretary to the League.

Topham started the ball, and the Wolves almost immediately secured a corner, Dunning having to handle.

At the other end L. Campbell shot outside, and then after Cowan had stopped an attack by the Wolves Hodgetts, Campbell and A. Brown put in some effective work but they found the defence too sound to penetrate it.

A corner to the Wolves produced a fine scrimmage in front of the Villa goal, Dunning clearing from a fine shot by Wood.

For a time the Wolves gave their opponents plenty of work to keep their goal intact. Evans, Stokes, and Dunning, however, were playing in capital style, and they at last enabled their forwards to get away, L. Campbell heading over the bar.

Baugh averted danger, and a couple of fouls followed in favour of the Wolves, and from the latter H. Wood scored, twenty minutes from the start.

The Villa got down, but were sent back, and, Topham nearly scored.

Attacks were made on both goals, fine defensive play being witnessed at each end, and some indignation was manifested owing to the referee appearing to favour Wolves in his decisions.

A free kick to the Villa caused Hassall to throw out and Hodgetts made a nice run, but was pulled up for being offside.

After a short spell of pressing by the Wolves during which they obtained two corners, the Villa got away, and A. Brown had a long shy at goal, Hassall punching the ball out.

Another attack by the Wolves ended in the ball being sent down the field, and a corner fell to the visitors, from which they failed to score.

At half-time the game stood: Wanderers 1, Villa 0.

On resuming, play ruled fast, the Villa putting in some clever work and frequently threatening the Wolves’ goal.

Topham then took, the ball, and sent a shot at lightning speed, the ball going outside by a few inches.

The Villa got-back again, only to have the ball returned, and Wykes gave Dunning a fast shot to deal with, the same player a minute afterwards sending the ball out- side out of a scrimmage in front of the visitors' goal.

The ball was splendidly taken down the field by Hodgetts, who scored with & fast low shot.

Both teams now strove to draw level, shots being made at both goals, but the defence at either end was equal to every emergency.

Towards the latter part of the time the Wolves redoubled their efforts, and a few minutes before the call of time Wood passed to Devey, who popped the leather through with his head.

Until the end the Wolves had the best of the play and retired the victors by 2 goals to 1.

It was afterwards stated that the Villa committee intended to lodge a protest against Mr. Lockett acting as referee, on the ground that he had not been appointed by the League committee.