Aston Villa v. Sheffield United.

At Bramall Lane, before 5,000 spectators. Both teams were well represented though Reynolds was absent from the Villa, Thickett also being away from the home side.

The game was and even, United scoring through Hill after 25 minutes. The Villa equalised 10 minutes later, and play was fast to the finish of this half.

At the interval the score stood: Sheffield United one-goal. Aston Villa one goal.

In the second half the United, eager again take the lead, rattled away to the Villa end, only to be driven back, and Dorrell gave a corner.

A magnificent dash into the Villa goal by Hill and Hammond saw the ball thrice shot hard into the goal, packed as it was members of the Villa defence.

Though the visitors broke away they were pulled up at once by Russell fouling the ball. Another corner fell to the home team through the energy of Hammond, but from this, though he had a clear opening and was straight in front of goal, Morris shot outside. Yates, too, was 20 yards wade when he certainly should have scored.

Getting to the other end, Dorrell was given off-side tor some unacceptable reason when he had the goal practically at his mercy, but from this the United again got down. Peden beating Spencer easily, both in speed and cleverness.

A corner to the Villa followed, but in turn Howell, Whitham, and Needham cleared.

A race to the other end saw Yates hurry the ball towards the line, and hook into goal by the same player saw forced Dunning to throw away, the visitors taking the ball along to the other end.

A bit of bungling between Howell and Cain saw the latter give a corner, but this resulted in nothing, and at the other end Dunning, rushing out, was just able to dispossess Hill in the act of shooting.

Returning again a splendid concerted attack was made by the whole of the home forwards. Many time the ball was banged in, only to be put out again, until Yates, getting his head to the leather, spun it into the far end of the net after 38 minutes' play , the United taking the again amid tremendous enthusiasm.

Close on the call of time Peden was hurt, but resumed after a brief stoppage of the game.

In the last minute Villa made a desperate effort to again equalise, but Welford founded the ball, and this was the last chance, the whistle blowing immediately afterwards, leaving the home team victorious.
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*The Sheffield Daily Telegraph*
Tuesday 23 October 1894

ASTON VILLA v. SHEFFIELD UNITED
TWO POINTS CLEVERLY GAINED.

Yesterday was a decided and welcome change from Sunday, and instead of heavy rain, the sun shone out beautifully, the air was crisp and wintry, and everything tended towards making matters as agreeable as possible for the Aston Villa match at Bramall Lane.

There was a good crowd of spectators, some 6,000 being present to witness what turned out be q capitally contested game.

The ground was, as was to be expected, slippery after the heavy rains of the previous two days, but this did not prevent a fine, fast game being played.

Both clubs were well represented, though on the visitors' side Reynolds was still an absentee owing to a cold, his place being handed to Burton. Among the forwards Woolley was given a rest, Dorrell being introduced.

In the United team Whitham played in place of Thickett, Peden superseded Jones, Mill resumed his old position in the centre, and Hammond took Watson’s place on the inside left

United won the toss, and the Villa commencing prompt to time, broke across the ring and made away to the Sheffield goal, where, however, Dorrell shot wide.

For a long time, owing to the nature the ground. play was a trifle uncertain, both sets forwards being palpably at sea. Then, however, United eventually pulled their way to the other end, and Peden, receiving the ball from Yates, scrummaged it into the net, only to have it nullified by off-side.

After this United returned the attack, and a pretty bit of work among the whole of the forwards gave Hill a lovely opening clean in front of goal, but he made a mess of it. Getting the other end the Villa made Foulkes clear, and Whitham. who was playing a very fine game, kicked away with his goal in considerable danger.

With the sun blazing brightly down on the field and in their faces, the Villa took up the attack in earnest, though they were forced back by an accidental foul in front of Foulkes, and a similar point on the halfway line still further helped United.

A characteristic dribble by Needham brought the ball well in front of the Villa goal, but the half-backs shot wide, and with Hendry capsizing Hodgetts, a foul was given for it, and Welford, from the halfway line shot into the United net, but it had not touched anybody else, and course did not count.

A dash to the other end saw Yates outwit Welford, forcing a corner from him, and from this Peden, with a beautiful overhead shot, was within an ace scoring. However, Dunning just managed clear, and the ball was again taken into midfield.

Again Peden was to the fore with a magnificent shot, but Dunning beat away, following it up and kicking the ball clear.

Dennis then centred the ball and Foulkes was just able beat it out his goal. It went Athersmith, who had a perfect opening and plenty time, but shot above the bar, and the danger was averted.

Again the Villa left came down, thanks to Hodgetts' passing, and Whitham was only just able to get rid of the danger on the line. Hodgetts subsequently shot wide.

A beautiful bit of work by Hendry again enabled United to take up the pressure. Howell and Morris each shooting into Dunning's hands; in fact, United were shooting immeasurably better than the Villa, and Gordon, with a splendid chance, headed yards over the bar.

A little pressure on United’s goal followed, and then Needham, relieving, gave the ball to Morris, who, in conjunction with Hill, had a splendid opening, in fact, beating the backs, and having none in front but Dunning. However, Morris shot wide, to the disappointment of the crowd, and a breakaway to the other end was spoilt by off-side.

Twice again United were very dangerous, once earning a corner, but Spencer kicked clear when hard pressed. Again Hill missed a beautiful opening, neglecting to take a pass right in front of goal. United played remarkably well in midfield, but there was a sad lack finish thereabouts when in front of goal. However, at the end of 25 minutes play Hal received the ball from the right, and wriggling his way past the backs shot a splendid goal, which was received with hearty cheering.

After this, the Villa, getting to the other end, Chatt was penalised for a bad push, and the ball was again sent to midfield. A foul to the Villa close on the home lines was momentarily dangerous, but Needham kicked behind his own goal to save, the referee staggering the crowd by giving a goal kick instead of the expected corner.

He also stopped Hill's progress when in full flight by application of the offside rule, and for some little time the Villa, struggling lhard to equalise kept the home team at bay. They got a corner eventually, from which a hot shot at short range luckily cannoned off one of the crowd of defenders.

Whitham, who was still playing a fine game, was very unfairly penalised for charging, and immediately afterwards a similar unfair decision stopped United when going well for the Villa goal. This last mistake was particularly unfortunate, inasmuch as going straight away from the free kick Gordon equalised the scores with a fast shot, this being at the end of 35 minutes.

Immediately on the re-commencement Hill, receiving the ball pid trying a long low shot, had hard lines in not again scoring, just missing the net. In hot earnest United pressed, and Peden again had an opening through a miskick by Spencer. He forced corner from Welford, but this was got rid of. United kept well in the Birmingham lines and Dunning had to clear from the centre. The home forwards attacked persistently, and Dunning'e charge had a marvellous escape. Spencer clearing under the bar. and from this the Villa went away, Howell, however, pulling Hodgetts up smartly.

At the interval the game stood:—United, 1 goal; Aston Villa, 1 goal.

In the second half United, eager to again take take the lead, rattled away to the Villa end, only to be driven back, and gave a corner. A magnificent dash into the Villa goal by Hill and Hammond saw the ball thrice shot hard into the goal, packed as it was by members the Villa defence. Though the visitors broke away they were pulled up at once by Russell fouling the ball. The game went on principally in the visitors' quarters, and though Howell got the ball in a good position Hodgetts used his weight to such purpose as force him to part.

More, good work Hodgetts ensued, and brought the ball up single-handed at the finish, nut taking a pass from his partner close in goal was given off-side.

Subsequently, capital work by the whole of the Sheffield five forced the ball to the other end. A foul fell to United, but before it could be taken Needham was foully charged down, Morris, from the succeeding free kick heading just outside the uprights.

Hodgetts was penalised for fouling Morris, and the ball being again taken town to the visitors end was shot wide. Hill returning the charge, and almost forcing his way through alone. Another corner fell to the home team through the energy of Hammond, but from this, though he had clear opening and straight in front goal, Morris shot outside. Yates, too, was 20 yards wide when he certainly should have scored.

Getting to the home end Dorrell was given offside for some unaccountable reason when he had the goal practically at his mercy, but from this United again got down, Peden beating Spencer easily, in speed and cleverness. A corner to the Villa followed, but in turn Howell, Whitham, and Needham cleared. A race to Dunning saw Yates hurry the ball over the line, and a hook into goal by same player saw Dunning forced to throw away.

The visitors taking the ball along to the other end, a bit of bungling between Howell and Cain saw the latter give a corner, but this resulted in nothing, and at the other end Dunning, rushing out, was just able to dispossess Hill in the act of shooting. Returning splendid concerted attack was made by the whole of the home forwards. Many a time the ball was banged in, only to be put out again, until Yates, getting his head to the leather, spun in into the far end of the net after 38 minutes' play, United taking the lead again amid tremendous enthusiasm.

Promptly on the recommencement Hodgetts was again penalised for fouling Hendry, Gordon undergoing a similar penalty. Close on the call of time, Peden was hurt, but resumed after a brief stoppage of the game.

In the last minute the Villa made a desperate effort to again equalise, but fouled ball, and this was their last chance, the whistle blowing immediately afterwards, leaving the home team victorious.