YESTERDAY'S FOOTBALL.
LEAGUE-DIVISION I.

NOTTS. FOREST V. ASTON VILLA
The return match between these clubs was played on the Town Ground yesterday afternoon. Despite the threatening state of the weather there were about 10.000 spectators. Considerable importance was attached to the fixture, because the defeat of the visiting team would endanger their chances of securing the championship. On the other hand two pointe to the Forest would be very welcome.

The meeting of the clubs, at Perry Barr resulted adversely to the “reds." Scott. who had recovered from his injury sustained at Preston. reappeared in the home eleven, whilst Crabtree, the Villa back and half-back, took the position of inside right.

Scott was fortunate enough to win the toss, and the "reds” played with the wind in the first half. The game opened with a hot attack on the Villa goal. McPherson putting in a grand long shot, which Wilkes caught and threw away just as Shaw rushed up.

At the next attempt Forest were repelled. and play opened out at a great rate, both goals being assailed in quick succession. A free kick to the home men come to nothing, and then the prospective champions gave the Forest defence an anxious time of it.

Scott, however, twice saved is brilliant style, once heading out when a goal looked certain. Dallying the the part of Shaw let in Reynolds, and the Villa forwards got close up to the Forest goal, Davey missing a rare chance and allowing Scott to clear.

Then the " Reds " returned in dashing style, but after Richards had given Carnelley a glorious chance the last named shot badly when well on the run. The game continued to be wonderfully fast, the "reds" having slightly the best of the game, and though a free kick very close in came to nothing, McPherson immediately afterwards received the bell from McCracken, and put in a lightning like shot which only just missed the mark.

The Villa quickly responded and the home goal had a remarkably narrow escape. Allsop saving from Campbell in wonderfully clever fashion just as the bell passing through. After this escape, the "reds“ dashed off in a body, and Richards going to the front, worked his way between the backs and had the goal quite at his mercy, but unfortunately for Forest, Richards made one of the worst attempts he has ever made since he joined the club, sending the ball high over the bar, to the intense disappointment of the spectators.

A couple of free kicks to the Villa enabled them to maintain a very harassing attack. Reynolds and Athersmith being particularly conspicuous. Allsop was given another very difficult shot to stop, but he threw himself full length at the ball and contrived to turn it round the post. Scott kicked the ball away as it fell from the flag but a lot of close and puzzling passing by the the visitors kept the home backs hard at work, Scott kicking away a grand centre from John Cowan.

Though the Birmingham men continued to keep dangerously near the Forest goal. there was very little shooting, so watchful were the “reds," and what there was of it was very indifferent.

Then play opened out again, but the combination of the home forwards compared badly with that of their opponents, Fred Forman being kept idle for quite a long time, the crowd calling upon the men to “play the right." At last hard work by Ritchie and Stewart gave the amateur a chance, but after getting the ball well down his wing, Spencer got possession what it was crossed to the left, and though Richards got on it again, he was penalised for tripping the back.

This inaugurated another fierce attack on the home goal, and McPherson was compelled to concede a corner. John Cowan, however, sent behind, and following the free-kick the “reds” made a move for the other end, but Welford and Spencer were playing a great game, and the first named just stopped Richards in time, and put in a big kick which gave Crabtree possession. The lnternational half-back passed beautifully to his partner, and from a grand centre by the flyer Devey missed a grand chance, heading over.

Then Crabtree himself shot from close quarters at the next attempt, which was quickly made, but Allsop effected a marvellous save and the attack from the flag kick was short but sharp, the Foresters getting well away.

Spencer was, however, again one too many for the attacking party and Reynolds followed up his efforts by robbing Richards when that player tried to trick the "old bird.”

The interval soon afterwards came, the Villa being well round the Forest goal.

Half time: Forest 0, Aston Villa 0

Immediately after the game had been resumed Athersmith got one of his centres in, and Devey in trying to tip it through on the volley sent over the bar when almost under it.

Forest replied with interest, Carnelley forcing his way through the backs and having a clear field. The result was a fine centre right to Richards, but Spencer beat him and cleared.

Athersmith was again conspicuous for a dashing ran on the right, but his centre came to nothing, and the Forest left went back with a rush. Richards taking up the running at the right moment and working his way close in. He had only Welford to oppose him, and eluding the burly back, he slipped into position and shot with a deadly accuracy, but Wilkes, springing at the ball, just managed to turn its flight. The corner kick produced a hot scrimmage in front of goal but the Villa cleared, and Athersmith got going again. He however, was beaten by Ritchie and McCracken, and than was guilty of a very dirty but of play, deliberately kicking the half-back. A free-kick billowed, and the “Reds” attacked, but again they found the defence too much for them.

There was little or nothing to choose between the teams, both sides playing hard and well. Carnelley again got clear away and another good centre was the outcome of his run, but although “reds" rushed in the Villa defence was too good to be beaten and Athersmith. who was persistently fed, was soon et the other where Allsop, who was playing a grand game, saved twice from Devey and John Cowan.

Soon after the Forest goalkeeper eclipsed all his previous performances by saving a shot which seemed sure to go through. John Cowan sending the ball in at a terrific rate.

Growing desperate, Villa redoubled their efforts, and at last they were rewarded.

Burton rushing up at the close of a hot attack and sending a long oblique shot which beat Allsop all the way, and score the first goal amid much cheering.

There were still sixteen minutes left for play but this disaster took a lot heart out of the Forester and the Villa had much the better of the play for some time.

Allsop again saving magnificently from John Cowan.

Towards the close the pace slackened very much, and Campbell missed an easy chance of scoring. An effort by the “reds” came to nothing and then just on time Campbell got possession when splendidly placed, and he shot a grand goal, placing the result beyond all doubt. Time was signalled soon after with the score:

Aston Villa … 2
Forest … 0