THE LEAGUE. - DIVISION I

ASTON VILLA V. ACCRINGTON

This match was played at Perry Barr, in brilliant weather. There were about five thousand spectators present. The visitors were well represented, but the Villa could not put their strongest eleven in the field. Cox, Logan, and W. Devey were unable to play, and G. Campbell, Wooley and A. Brown were therefore included in the team.

The game was of the most sensational character. In the first half the visitors were distinctly the better side in front of goal, and scored three times as against the Villa’s once. Shortly alter the interval Accrington increased their lead to four, and the game looked hopeless for the Villa. Twenty-five minutes from the finish; however, Brown got a second goal, and from this point the home side played magnificently. John Devey soon scored a third, and it was not long ere a fourth was rushed through. The game then became most interesting, but the Villa continued to attack, and so well did they use their opportunities that before the finish they scored two additional goals. During this period the play was creditable, and contrasted greatly with the exhibition previously given.

The crowd, as may be imagined were delighted by the unlooked for victory, and cheered the team again and again as they left the field.

Accrington kicked off up-hill with the sun in their faces, and during the first few minutes were very aggressive. Bowen made a splendid shot, which Roberts saved; but the ball was quickly returned, and a corner resulted. It was-well placed, and, from a nice pass by T. Lea, Higham shot the ball through, but was palpably offside, and the referee gave that decision.

The Villa relieved and some smart passing by Brown gave Athersmith an opening, but he fell as he was rushing for goal. However, the ball was kicked back, and Horne saved a couple of good shots . Continuing to press, the Villa, gained a corner, from which Burton made a pretty shot; which nearly scored, the ball hitting the bar and rolling over.

Cowan was cheered for some fine tackling; and, finding his forwards, he enabled them to formulate a capital attack, but Athersmith could not get the ball in. The Accrington forwards relieved and Highamn scored after seventeen minutes' play. The goal was the result of a mistake by Roberts, who stopped one shot from Higham but failed to clear well, and the forward got a second kick at the ball.

Accrington were not long left with the lead, for about two minutes later John Davey equalised from a centre by Woolley. The Villa kept the ball in their opponents' half, but although they played well they could not get it through the goal.

Accrington in their turn attacked, and after considerable perseverance worked the ball up the field. G. Campbell let the right wing in, and T. Lea centred to Higham, who headed a second point.

This success encouraged the visitors; who attacked hotly, and they put on a third goal with a magnificent shot.

From the centre kick the Villa pressed, and John Devey got through, but Horne judiciously ran out and saved his goal. A fine centre by Athersmith enabled the Villa to make a desperate attack, but amidst a prolonged "Oh” Hodgetts kicked the ball the wrong side the posts.

A good run was spoiled by Brown passing a bit too far, and from a foul near to goal Dowds tried a shot, but the ball was a foot too high.

The Villa kept the ball in their opponents' half, but were unable to score, and at the interval were two goals in arrears.

On restarting the Villa played in improved form, and attacked strongly, but the Accrington backs were very safe. J. Devey. was cheered for a brilliant run, and his shot only just passed wide. The home team again pressed, but a foul was given against them, and a bad kick left Cookson a clear course for goal, of which, he availed himself, and scored a fourth point.

Some pretty play by Baird gave the Villa a chance, but Athersmith who was lame, kicked idly over the bar.

Accrington changed the scene of play, and Cookson appeared likely to score again, but Baird hampered his movements, and Roberts, running out of goal, kicked the ball out of danger. The Accrington right wing were applauded for some clever passing, but T. Lea centred badly, or a goal might possibly have resulted.

Now the Villa played up better, and at length Brown scored, a real fine goal from a centre by Woolley.

This success stimulated the home team who again pressed hotly and forced a corner, but they were unable to improve upon it.

The Villa returned to the attack, however, and John Devey scored a beautiful goal amidst loud cheering. From the centre kick they rushed to the attack again and scrimmaged the ball through thus making matters level.

The excitement was, tremendous, and the Villa, encouraged by the cries of the spectators, played up splendidly, and for the next few minutes the ball was kept in the vicinity of the visitors’ goal, which had some fine shots directed at it.

At length Devey and Hodgetts made a grand run, and the latter passing to Woolley just at the right moment, enabled that player to give the Villa the lead.

The Villa were now playing a great game, and they were simply irresistible. The ball had scarcely been kicked from the centre when they made another rush upon the Accrington goal, and Athersmith headed the ball past Horne.

Time was soon afterwards signalled, and a most exciting game ended in a victory for the Villa by 6 goals to 4.