NOTES ON SPORT.

A NARROW VICTORY FOR THE VILLA.

The meeting of Aston Villa and Derby County did not arouse any abnormal interest among the followers of the former team. It was generally Iooked upon as “an easy thing” for the Villa, but the game, as played at Perry Barr on Saturday, was remarkable for the gallant fight Derby County made for entry into the next round.

Certainly the County came with their full strength, and the Villa were forced to play Elliott and Podmore in the places of Welford and Chatt; but when the indifferent performances of the Derby men in the League competition are considered, the Villa could not be said to have been disadvantageously handicapped.

Wilkes acted as custodian for the Villa. The attendance at the kick-off could not have been more than 3,000. By half-time, however, there was a considerable increase, a large influx of excursionists from the Midlands having made their way to Perry Barr.

A very few minutes play sufficed to show that the ground, although having been cleared of snow and well sprinkled with sand, was slippery and uncertain, and the players now and again slipped down in most grotesque fashion, and utterly a failed to place the ball as they intended.

The Villa captain chose to play down the slope for the first half, and at the commencement there was a prospect of the prophesied one-sidedness of the game being realised.

Within three minutes of the kick-off from a splendid pass by Devey, Athersmith outpaced all his rivals, and sent in a shot which struck the bar, and bounced off in an oblique direction.

At this point Reynolds, Cowan, Devey, and Smith were responsible for some smart work, in which the cleverness of the centre half-back was beyond dispute.

A long and brilliant dribble by Cowan brought the ball well into the County’s half, where some sharp exchanges took place.

Eventually Russell passed to Devey, and the latter, having a clear opening, rushed towards goal, and from a distance of nearly twenty yards, scored with a straight fast shot.

This early disadvantage did not seem to affect the pluck of the visitors, whose forwards made repeated attempts to equalise, but met with the impregnable opposition from the back division and the excellent custodianship of Wilkes.

J. Goodall, Bloomer, and Francis played a splendidly combined game, but found their best efforts nullified by the opposing half-backs.

For some unaccountable reason the Villa forwards never seemed to get into anything like their characteristic style, the efforts of the players being chiefly of an individual nature, and then seldom rising to first-class form.

Up to half-time, at which period the only goal scored being the one obtained by Devey, the play generally was in favour of the visitors, and the beginning of the second half gave cause for serious contemplation as to whether the Vilia would even be able to save a defeat.

The County, after a brief attack on their goal, started off with a determination and dash that looked like business, and were successful in keeping the play near their opponents’ home quarters till eventually Francis received the ball from the opposite wing, and aiming for the goal sent the ball skimming across four or five yards in front. Unfortunately for the Villa no one was near to clear the danger, and before Wilkes could get up Bloomer somewhat easily equalised the score.

The restart was marked by a little roughness on either side, and for a time skilled football was sacrificed to mad rushes, and from one of these the Villa shared no small piece of fortune by being able to record their second goal. Smith, having got possession, was making for goal when Methven rushed for the player, and in the collision the ball turned off the County man’s foot into his own goal. The, relief to the Villa supporters was apparent in the applause that followed.

The remainder of the game was played at a fast rate, and notwithstanding that the home team gave Robinson plenty to do, the balance of good play was in favour of Derby County.

The goal-keeping, of Wilkes was no insignificant factor in saving the Villa from defeat, and the victory may be impartially described as being more fortunate than deserved on the day’s play.

The visitors’ forwards worked pluckily throughout, and were well supported by the backs and A. Goodall.

Of the Villa, Cowan and Devey were the most prominent for consistent form; and occasionally Reynolds, Athersmith, and Smith put in work worthy of their reputation.