SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL.
THE LEAGUE.
DIVISION I.

ASTON VILLA V. WEST BROMWICH ALBION

This League match was played at Perry Barr, in the presence of about 12,000 spectators. The Villa were fully represented, except that Logan, who has been suspended by the Association, was absent from the centre, a position that was well filled by Hare.

The Albion were also without their new centre forward Boyd, who unfortunately sprained one of his knees whilst practising during the week. C Perry took that position whilst his brother went into the half back line. As centre forward C. Perry was not a great success, and the half back division suffered from his absence.

The game was greatly in favour of the Villa, who were all round the better team. Devey and Hodgetts were the pick of the forwards, whilst Dowds played magnificently at half-back. Evans, the Villa back, played grandly, and was ably assisted by G, Campbell.

Geddes was the best of the Albion forward until the time that Groves changed into the centre, when the latter was manifestly better than any of his comrades, and to his fine leadership the two goals that the Albion scored can in great measure be attributed. Had he played centre earlier the game would, in all probability, have been much more keenly contested.

Cowan lost the toss and at eight minutes past three o’clock Hare started the ball towards the top goal. the play was confined to the middle of the field for the first minute or two, but the Albion then became prominent.

Their attack, however, lacked sting, and was easily disposed of by Dunning. A second attempt met with no better result than the first.

The Villa then broke away, but were pulled up by Nicholson, and a dangerous rush by the Albion forwards followed. Geddes shot in beautifully but Dunning punched the ball out, and it rolled over the line. The corner-kick was fruitless. A moment later, however, the Albion left wing formulated a strong attack, and forced another corner, but this, like the first, yielded no result.

So far the Albion had had distinctly the best of the game, but at length the Villa broke away, and Athersmith, running through, looked very dangerous, but his shot was punched away by Reader. A centre kick would have been the better play, as Devey, Hare and Hodgetts were well up.

A fine run and a couple of centres caused the Albion some uneasiness for on the second occasion Brown floored Reader but the ball passed across goal and outside.

A pretty run by Geddes was spoiled by a wild shot, and some nice play by Bassett was rendered useless by McLeod passing too far in front.

Another determined run by the Albion was terminated by a fine shot on the part of McIeod, but the ball was a foot too high.

Some fun was caused by Evans flooring two of the Albion forwards, and then play was taken to the other end of tie field.

A free kick for hands was given against the Albion close in to goal, but the defenders after a capital rally got the ball away.

G. Campbell was cheered by some excellent tackling and kicking and Athersmith and Brown, after passing prettily, forced a corner kick. It was well taken, but yielded no result.

A splendid bit of tacking by Burton robbed Geddes of the ball, and the Villa forwards went up the field with rare dash but Devey shot over the bar.

Some good play by his partner gave Brown a good opening but his shot was much too wild.

A rush by Albion was checked by Dowds, and the Villa then made a strong attack. The ball was centred by Hodgetts and Brown scored after about thirty minutes play.

The Villa success was loudly cheered.

From the centre kick the Albion made an attack which came to nothing, and then Hare broke away and passed beautifully to Brown, but he lost the chance by waiting too long.

The Villa, however, were going very strongly, and after an unsuccessful corner kick, Hare put on the second goal from a free kick just in front of goal.

The game was now tremendously fast, and after Reader had saved his goal wonderfully well, Dowds was cheered for some fine play, in which he displayed wonderful resources and judgement, and beat three of his opponents.

After Evans had stopped his opponents with a well timed rush, the Villa forwards again pressed and Reader put out a low shot from Devey. The Villa for the past twenty minutes had had much the best of the game, and, well supported by their half backs, the forwards had proved much too good for the Albion defence as the score of 2 to 0 testifies.

Just before the interval the Albion forwards made a dashing run, but Evans kicked out just at the critical moment, and the attackers failed to improve upon the corner kick.

The Villa were pressing when the referee blew his whilst but they had not scored again, and the led by 2 goals to 0.

The Villa were now playing downhill, and had the advantage of being placed with the sun behind them They soon gained a corner-kick, but it was unproductive, Devey, failing to find a foothold from which to shoot, although he made. no fewer than three attempts.

After the Albion had relieved, the Villa again came to the attack, and for three minutes the Albion goal was in peril, but the ball went everywhere but through.

A couple of corner kicks were soon afterwards obtained and from a second, well placed by Athersmith, Devey scored whilst Hare shadowed the goalkeeper.

A few moments later Hare made a fine shot, which Reader had great difficulty in stopping. He, however, twisted the all round the posts but only succeeded in averting the disaster for the moment, as from the corner-kick Burton scored the fourth goal amidst loud cheering.

A fine bit of play by Groves was neutralised by Dunning and then Devey and Hodgetts made a beautiful run, but the latter's shot -a grand attempt - struck the bar and bounced over.

Although manifestly outclassed, the Albion stuck to their work very pluckily, and an improvement was seen in their front ranks the result of Groves having taken centre position. Had he been there at the beginning there is no doubt that the Albion attack would have been much better. However, the Albion were soon forced back. and Brown put through for the fifth time.

From the midfield kick the Albion caught the Villa defenders napping, and ere the latter could realise it the ball had flashed into the net from the foot of Geddes.

Another grand attempt was made by the visitors, and Groves was responsible for a stinging shot, but Dunning on this occasion was well prepared, and stopped the ball.

Not despairing, Groves again led his men to the attack and seemed certain to score, but Dunning saved somewhat luckily, the ball striking his knees.

Only a few minutes remained for play, but the Albion renewed their efforts to score, and just on the call of time a long shot by Geddes deceived Dunning, and the second goal was thus obtained.

The Villa won the match by 5 goals to 2.