NOTES ON SPORT.

Saturday was a day of surprises, for no fewer than five of the First League teams were defeated by their visitors.

The Aston Villa further improved their chances of winning the League Cup by thrashing Derby County to the extent of three goals to nil.

This was the Villa’s first League victory at Derby, and may certainly rank as one of their best performances this season.

Their position in the table is a grand one, inasmuch as Blackburn Rovers who threatened to run them very close for the pride of place, were unexpectedly defeated at home by Bolton Wanderers by a goal to nil.

The Rovers will now have to win their next four matches - no easy task- if they are to place themselves in a position of equality with that at present occupied by Aston Villa; and it must be borne in mind that the Perry Barr team have played ten matches away as against seven by the Rovers.

This gives the Villa a decided advantage, and if the members of the team will only continue to perform with the same spirit and skill that they exhibited at Derby, the League Cup will find its resting place in Birmingham.

Everyone who saw the match at Derby agreed that the better team won.

The Villa were cleverer all round than their opponents, and but for the slippery nature of the ground would probably have been successful by a larger total than three goals to nil.

The supporters of the club were, however, quite satisfied with the victory, inasmuch as they regarded the match as the severest trial of the month.

A visit to Derby has for years meant disaster to the Villa. No matter how easily the latter won at Perry Barr the County were sure to have their revenge at Derby. Once, in 1890, the Villa seemed likely to redeem their fortunes, but at a critical period of the game Paton, their centre forward, was hurt and playing ten men they were beaten by five goals to four.

No wonder, then, that Saturday’s contest was regarded with doubt and dread by the members of the committee.

At a quarter-past eleven in the morning there was an air of despondency about the members of the team and their supporters which gave little hope for the day’s success.

Hodgetts was said to be unfit for play, whilst a telegram was received from John Devey saying that his wife had had a relapse, and that he could not come.

The worthy secretary’s face was a picture of despair.

A few minutes before the train left Devey drove up in a cab, his wife’s condition having improved sufficiently to warrant him playing, and Hodgetts, looking very unwell, also joined his comrades.

The secretary’s face brightened, a better spirit prevailed, and when the team stepped on to the field at Derby they were full of confidences.

The ground was very hard, and afforded a poor foothold to the players, whilst the ball came up very quickly and after the match the men declared that they had never played with a lighter ball. This was responsible for the bad shooting which characterised the first-half’s play, for the ball when aimed at goal generally passed yards too high.

In the first five minutes it looked as if fate was against the Villa, for Welford missed kicking the ball, and his instep came into contact with another player’s foot. He was lamed for a few minutes, but fortunately his injury was not serious, and during the remainder of the game he played as well as a man of his size could be expected to play on the frozen ground.

There was plenty of excitement during the first half, but neither side scored, although the County came desperately near doing so a few minutes before the whistle was blown.

The Villa had shown the better combination, but their great display was to come. They commenced strongly, and their beautiful passing was greatly admired by the spectators.

Their success soon came, Cowan, twenty yards away, shooting into Dockery’s hands, and ere he could rid himself of the ball, Hare, Devey, and Hodgetts rushed him through.

The Villa afterwards played a winning game, and the passing at times forcibly reminded one of the machine-like accuracy of the old North End.

The half-backs combined beautifully with the forwards, and the Villa attacked almost incessantly.

At intervals the County would make a sudden and dangerous rush but they were checkmated by a cool and clever defence, and then they were again compelled to act strictly on the defensive.

At length the second goal came, Dockery kicking at and missing a shot from Athersmith. Cheered by the spectators Derby County made strenuous efforts to score, but failed, and Hodgetts, getting a third goal placed the result beyond all doubt.

Every man in the Villa played well, and it would be unfair to particularise anyone. It might be mentioned, however, that Athersmith performed in quite his best style, and has evidently benefited considerably by his rest.

Archie Goddall was the best man for the County, and but for his unceasing efforts the Villa would in all probability have put on a greater number of goals.

His brother John was a capable centre-forward, and invariably led the attacks, whilst Methven at back played a great game for his side.