FOOTBALL. ASSOCIATION RULES.

THE ASSOCIATION CHALLENGE CUP.

The first round in the competition for the Football Association Challenge Cup had to be completed on Saturday, and the great majority of clubs having deferred the playing of their ties until the last possible date, an unusually large number of matches were decided in various parts of the country on Saturday afternoon.

Most prominent of all the contests was that at Glasgow, between the famous English professional eleven, Preston North End, and Queen’s Park, victory resting with the Preston club by 3 goals to 0.

Halliwell had to meet the Blackburn Rovers, at Blackburn, but having no chance of success with their strictly qualified eleven, virtually scratched to the Cup holders by playing their full strength. West Bromwich Albion, who competed in the final tie last year, gained an easy victory, by 6 goals to none; and Notts County proved successful by the large majority of 13 goals to none.

Darwen achieved a most creditable win over Heart of Midlothian; while the Glasgow Rangers only just succeeded in knocking out Everton. Of other great clubs, Aston Villa, Notts Forest and Derby County all earned the right to compete in the second round. The Bolton Wanderers, although successful, had a much harder task with South Shore than had appeared probable; while the Scottish club, Renton, gained a bare victory over Accrington. We give below a brief description of tine various games:

ASTON VILLA v. WEDNESBURY OLD ATHLETIC -

Only a few hundreds were present at this match, which was played at Perry Barr, and the result was a foregone conclusion.

Archie Hunter led off, and the Athletic right wing got the ball dangerously close to the home goal. Simmonds and Robertson speedily got the leather away to the left wing. From the centre Davis headed to Loach, who was just too late to prevent the ball from going outside.

Malpass stopped a smart shot from Brown, and a few seconds later it was as much as he could do to avert a downfall from two corner kicks. In midfield Hunter took charge of the ball and turned it over to the left wing men. Upon being returned near goal Hodgetts had a capital chance of scoring, but failed.

Directly after a scrimmage occurred in the Athletic quarters, and resulted in Loach putting the ball through goal. This was disallowed on the plea of offside.

The Villa continued to press their opponents, and Hodgetts very cleverly scored the first point with a high shot. This was immediately followed by a second from Loach, who received the ball from Brown. Only a short time elapsed ere Hunter added the third. Hodgetts made the fourth. The game, dull at first, now became wholly interesting, and the spectators looked upon the rapid scoring in a matter of fact sort of way.

The fifth goal was registered by Davis, while the sixth points was the result of a good shot from Brown and the seventh from Loach. At this stage Morley officiated in goal in place of Malpass. The eighth goal came from Brown, the ninth from Burton, Albert Brown caused the addition of the tenth. Davies, whilst offside, put the ball through the posts, and consequently it did not count. Archie succeeded in making goals number elven and twelve, and Burton the thirteenth.

Result: Villa 13; Athletic 0.

Aston Villa: Warner, goal; Coulton and Simmonds backs : Yates, Robertson, and Burton half-backs; R. Davis and A. Brown (right wing), Archie Hunter (centre), Loach and Hodgetts (left wing), forwards.

Wednesbury Old Athletic : W. Malpass goal; R. Morley and F. Mitchells, backs; Cartwright, M Byrne, and M. Knight, half backs; R. Board and T. Tonks (right); R. Powis, centre; J. Roberts and J. Heath (left) forwards.