DERBY COUNTY V. ASTON VILLA.
THE CUP HOLDERS DEFEATED.-THE RAMS TRIUMPHANT

This match, which has been looked forward to in the Midlands as being the match of the series of games set for decision in the above competition, took place on the Baseball Ground, Derby, before an assemblage of spectators numbering nearly 30,000.

Both teams have undergone special preparations for the contest.

Goodall and his colleagues being located for some time at Ashover, where they have had the benefits of the baths and the lovely country walks that exist in the neighbourhood.

The Villa have also undergone similar preparation near to the Hardware Town.

The home side were greatly fancied in and around Derby, and from 5 to 4 to 6 to 4 was the price on Derby.

The gates were open before one o’clock, and a steady stream of visitors commenced to pour in. Thanks to the excellent arrangements of the executive there was am abundance of room, and as the specials came in from Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield, and other towns, the crowd swelled to an enormous extent.

At two o’clock there would be 20,000 people present, and the cry was “Still they come.’’

Amidst great excitement the Villa kicked off, and after a brief spell of play the County attacked, and Johnny Goodall passed beautifully to his confrere, Bloomer, who in his flight beat Crabtree and scored five minutes from the start.

This roused the visitors, who played like demons, but, despite their cleverness, Derby never sagged, but kept on with their clever work until the Brums forced a corner. This, however, came to nothing, whilst a similar concession resulted in like manner shortly afterwards.

Although Robinson had to save from Devey very smartly, the county were more than holding their own. At this period the Hardware contingent were playing a remarkably fine game, and another corner was obtained. This did not avail them anything. Archie Goodall and Cox were each applauded for fine play, and then a foul against James Cowan let Derby in once mere. Miller beating Wilkes for second time.

The game was fast and exciting after this, but still the home side were working like demons, and Wilkes had all his work cut out to stop the onslaughts that were made on his charge.

At length Bloomer once more got hold, and with perfect beauty he notched Derby’s third goal.

Excitement was now intense, and a perfect yell of delight want up Miller made the score 4.

This was the last item up to cross over.

In next period the home men were once more seen to advantage, but they appeared to ease themselves little. This enabled the Villa to make leeway, and Hodgetts, with Cowan and Devey forced the County back, A corner was conceded, which the Brums converted into goal. After this success the part of the late Cup holders, the home men roused themselves from their lethargy, and visited the Villa goal repeatedly. Goodall, Bloomer, and Miller being seen to advantage, but they could not again penetrate the defence, whilst, on the other hand, Villa had a free kick awarded them for a foul, and Devey succeeded in putting through the Derby aperture from a ruck of players.

The game continued fast to the close, but nothing nice resulted, and Derby won four goals to Aston Villa’s two. To say that the best team won is only poor praise—on the day’s play they would have defeated any team the League. The play was not only pretty, but effective and full of dash which fairly nonplussed the Villains, nevertheless, they did not play a losing game any means, and, Justine to the losers, they never lost heart, but played right to finish, in the hope that something might turn up.