NOTES ON SPORT.

The game at Perry Barr was perhaps the most interesting of Saturday’s League matches. Certainly none of them could have been more exciting, for the result was always in doubt, and it was not until the referee’s whistle was heard that the Villa’s supporters breathed freely.

The match during the week had caused no end of anxiety to the committee. Athersmith was unfit to play on account of an injury to one of his feet, and on Wednesday it was doubtful whether John Devey, who had undergone a great deal of domestic trouble, would be able to take the field.

To meet Sunderland with a weak team meant defeat, for during the last few weeks the Wearsiders have been steadily regaining the form that made them last season’s champions.

Fortunately for the Villa, Devey’s troubles took a turn for the better on Wednesday, and consequently he was seen in he centre on Saturday. Had he been absent Sunderland might easily have won.

The contest, as before mentioned was very exciting, but there was scarcely as much brilliant forward play as might have been expected from the meeting of two such grand combinations.

The truth is, that the half-backs on either side were so good that the forwards were not often allowed to combine. They would start some pretty combination, but were invariably broken up by the skilful tackling of the half- backs. The backs, too, played grandly, and at the interval neither goal had fallen. Sunderland’s had been most often attacked, but Doig saved marvellously on several occasions, and each side commenced the half with a clean sheet.

On crossing over the Villa made some strong attacks and at length a free kick was given them near the Sunderland goal. The ball was beautifully placed by Groves, and amongst great cheering John Devey headed it into the net.

Sunderland now played up with great determination, and despite the fact that they lost the services of Hannah for about ten minutes they pressed severely and sorely tried the Villa defence.

At length, indeed, Miller got past the backs and easily beat Dunning. The goal was scored whilst Sunderland had only ten men, and when Hannah resumed a minute or two later, the visitors appeared to have a capital chance of winning.

The game was desperately contested and the victory hung in the balance for a long time. At one end Hugh Wilson made some grand shots, which were saved somehow or other, whilst at the other Doig had a lot of trouble with a shot from Randle.

About ten minutes from the finish Hodgetts got away grandly and had secured a fine position for shooting when he was badly tripped by Meehan. A penalty-kick was awarded - and was entrusted to Reynolds, who maintained his reputation and gave the Villa the winning goal.

As before mentioned, there was little to choose between the two teams, and a continuance of Saturday’s form will take Sunderland well up the League before the end of the season, if it does not land them at the top. They are not quite out of the running yet.

The Villa’s win was rather lucky, for it is an open question if Hodgetts would have scored had he not been tripped up. He was, however, in an excellent position for shooting, and the referee did the correct thing when he gave a penalty-kick.

Forward, perhaps, Sunderland were slightly the better combination, although there was scarcely as much dash about them as about the Villa forwards, who went for goal time after time in the most resolute fashion.

Smith, Hodgetts, Devey and Hare all played exceedingly well, but Randle, who took Athersmith’s usual position was scarcely a success. He lacked dash and centred badly on several occasions, when if he had put the ball in front of goal he would have caused the Sunderland defenders a lot of trouble. Still, it was a big trial for a young player, and doubtless he was suffering from nervousness.

The Villa half-backs all worked well, and they have probably no equals in the country at the present moment.

Reynolds fed his forwards with unfailing judgment, and tackled faultlessly, whilst Groves’s great speed was invaluable on many occasions.

Cowan played as he always does and never gave Miller a moment’s rest. He did a lot of hard work, which was invaluable to his side.

Baird and Welford were a fine pair of backs, and in the second half Dunning made no mistake, although during the first three-quarters of an hour he was once or twice in difficulties.

The Sunderland forwards were a well-balanced combination, and no man shone above his fellows, but in the half-back line Hugh Wilson was much better than his comrades, and his great throws from touch were a constant source of danger to the Villa goal. Meehan was a better back than Gibson, and Doig in goal performed magnificently.