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SHEFFIELD UNITED v. ASTON VILLA.
A DRAWN POINTLESS GAME.

It will be remembered that when these teams met for first time this season, at Birmingham, they played a drawn game of two goals each.

As United have been playing of late there was great amount of interest evinced regarding the probable result their second meeting, and despite the fact that a drizzling rain was falling at the time set, 3.15, on Saturday, the attendance Bramall was the largest of five present season, fully 12,000 spectators being present.

Each club played their full strength, and United winning the toss, the Villains kicked off towards Bramall Lane against a slight breeze. Owing to the rainfall the ground was in a rather soft, slippery state. United at once attacked, and Priest shot outside, as also did Spencer at the United end.

Play ruled very fast, and United again forced their way to the Villans’ goal, but Needham’s final shot was wide of the mark. A minute later Whitehouse had great difficulty in retting rid of one from Almond, and again when United pressed Spencer cleared from Needham. Hammond shot wide from a pass from Priest to Hammond, the latter again missed his intended mark. Up to this period United had done all the attacking, but the Villa now had a turn, but Cain and Whittam broke the combination, as did Needham a second assault.

Some fine centre play by Jas Cowan was frustrated Morren, and Reynolds grazed the bar with a fine shot. Again the Villa end was visited, and Whitehouse got rid another one from Almond, who a minute later shot across the Villa goalmouth. The Villans now took up the attack, and Athersmith shot over. From a free-kick Foulkes saved from Athersmith, and then the ball travelled quickly into the Villa territory, Almond shooting wide.

Half-time arrived without any score, but United had had the best of the play.

On resuming the Villa were the aggressors, and a couple of free-kicks proved futile. Reynolds met with injury, and the game was stopped for a few minutes. Then the United left-wing set off for the Villa goal, into which Priest placed the ball, but he was ruled offside.

Play was very fast, and after Foulkes saved from John Cowan. Foulkes rushed out of goal, and Devey shot over. Fouls, from which the inevitable free kick followed, were quite numerous, as also were corners, but no score accrued, the defence on each side being splendid.

From a fine centre by Athersmith to Wheldon, the latter headed over the United goal, and a quick run to the stronghold caused Whitehouse to handle one from Almond. Howell also had a try to reduce the Villa goal, but Whitehouse was quite equal to occasion, and when an Almond shot looked like troubling Whitehouse, Jas. Cowan got in the way and with his head diverted the course of the ball over the bar.

Just before the close the Villa made a hot raid on the United goal, and from Wheldon’s shot Foulkes handled the ball and then juggled it three-fourths of the way towards the Villa goal, such feat never having been seen on a football field at Sheffield.

The performance was greeted with tremendous applause which did not cease until after the game ended and Foulkes and his confreres had disappeared inside the pavilion.

Thus ended one of the best and most exciting games seen at Bramall Lane during the present season. During the first half United certainly had the best play, but in the second the Villa had slightly the advantage, and a pointless draw just about represented the play. Result: Sheffield United, no goals: Aston Villa, no goals.