SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL.
THE ASSOCIATION CHALLENGE CUP.
SECOND ROUND.

The Football Association Committee having fixed Saturday as the latest date for the decision of cup ties in the second round, a large number of matches were brought off to various parts of the country. Probably most interest attached to the meeting between the Blackburn Rovers and Renton at Glasgow, where, although an extra half-hour was played, the match could not be brought to a definite issue.

West Bromwich Albion did not play too well, but managed to score a victory; while Notts County beat the club who drew with them, a week ago by 5 goals to 0. Of other great teams Aston Villa, the Swifts, and the Old Westminsters earned their right to compete is the third round.

The chief surprise consisted in the defeat of Derby County by Mitchell St. George’s.

DERBY MIDLAND v ASTON VILLA. - These teams met at Perry Barr. The afternoon was dull, but about 4,000 persons assembled. Both teams were well represented.

From first to last the game was in favour of the home team, who were victorious by 6 goals to 1.

For the winning team Archie Hunter, Loach, Hodgetts, Brown end Yates showed the best form, whilst for the visitors their goalkeeper, Salt, and their backs played splendidly.

Winning the toss, Archie Hunter decided to kick down hill, towards the Wellington Road goal.

Walker kicked off for the visitors, and after a bit of midfield play the Villa rushed to the attack, and a corner fell to their lot. The kick was well taken, and from a scrimmage which ensued the ball was sent between the visitors’ posts about two minutes from the start.

On the ball being restarted the Villa again attacked, and after several unsuccessful attempts D. Hodgetts scored again, about seven minutes after the ball had been kicked off.

The Derby men then plucked up a bit, and transferred the play into the vicinity of the Villa’s goal; but Coulton and Simmonds were equal to the occasion, and removed the danger. A pass by Burton to Albert Brown gave the latter a chance to score, and he put in a good shot, but the goalkeeper punched out the ball.

Continuing the pressure several more shots were put into goal by the Villa forwards, but they were all kept out by the fine play of the Derby custodian.

At length, however, Rich Davis centred across the goal, and Loach knocked the ball through with his head.

Stung by these reverses, the visitors’ forwards played up with some spirit, and after a time Ward got within shooting distance of the Villa goal and sent the ball well in.

Warner, in running across the goal, fell down, and the ball passed between the Villa posts.

Up to half time the game was all in favour of the Villa, who set the Derby goal in a state of siege. No further points were, however, obtained, and when half-time intervened the game stood - Villa 3, Derby Midland 1.

On recommencing play, after the change of ends, Loach got to work on the Villa left, and put in a good shot; but Salt, amidst cries of “well saved” kept the ball from going through goal.

Not to be denied, the Villa returned to the assault, and Dawson, pulling the ball to Brown, gave the latter a chance which he speedily availed himself of, and lowered the colours of the Derby men for the fourth time.

The removal of the ball to the centre of the field scarcely afforded the visitors’ backs and goal-keeper breathing time, for a moment after the kick-off the Villa forwards were again “shotting in” and a corner fell to them, which proved abortive.

The next noticeable feature of the game was a fine run and shot by R. Davis, who was heartily applauded, as was also the goal-keeper for stopping the shot.

The visitors’ forwards then broke away, and passing Simmonds and Coulton, the Villa backs, seemed to have the goal at their mercy, but Warner running out in the nick of time sent the ball spinning up the field, where Loach and Hodgetts obtained it and took it into the rear quarters of the visitors. Hodgetts sent in a shot which was punched out, but Loach got possession of the leather, and put it to Albert Brown, who scored the fifth goal for the home team. An appeal for offside was made but was disallowed.

About ten minutes from the call of time Archie Hunter scored a sixth goal and the Villa thus won a one-sided game by 6 goals to 1.

Derby Midland : Salt, goal: Wright and Wildsmith, backs ; Ratcliff, Flowers, and Hickinbotham, half-backs : Wood and Shannon (left), Walker (centre), Strutt and Ward (right), forwards.

Aston Villa : Warner, goal ; Simmonds and Coulton, backs ; Burton, Dawson, and Yates, halfbacks ; Hodgetts snd Leach (left), Hunter (centre). Davis and Albert Brown (right), forwards.