SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL.
ASSOCIATION RULES.
THE ENGLISH CUP, - THIRD ROUND.

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS V. ASTON VILLA

The meeting of those clubs in the above-named cup competition has been looked forward to with a considerable amount of interest by local football enthusiasts, and consequently the attendance at Perry Barr on Saturday afternoon, was a very large one, numbering about 5,000 persons. A great many of this number were persons who had followed the Wanderers from Wolverhampton. The game was one of the most exciting ever witnessed at Perry Barr.

The Villa, won the toss, and elected to kick towards the Wellington Road goal. Brodie kicked off and the Wanderers carried the ball into the Villa’s territory, but the backs sent it well down the field, and the Villa forwards obtaining it carried it over their opponents’ lines.

From the goal-kick the Wanderers obtained a run on the left, but Robertson speedily checked them and made a long shot for goal, but the ball went the wrong aide of the posts.

The Wanderers’ forwards then carried the ball into the front of the Villa’s goal, and Wood looked like scoring, but delayed his shot too long, and Dawson rushing up kicked the ball from his feet.

It was, however, returned by one of the visitors half-backs, and Allen put in a good shot which Warner knocked out.

The Villa forwards then transferred the play to the other end of the field, and Albert Brown shot the ball between the Wanderers’ posts, to the great delight of the Villa partisans. Their delight was speedily changed to disappointment, for, on appeal, the score was disallowed on the ground of a previous foul.

The Villa continued to press, and Dennis Hodgetts had a try to score, but he shot the ball outside.

After a number of unsuccessful attempts to score Dennis Hodgetts passed to Loach who shot the ball across goal, and Albert Brown, meeting it with his foot, sent it whizzing past the goal-keeper, amidst tremendous cheering.

The Wanderers, nothing daunted, continued to play up with great spirit, and, rushing in a body for the Villa goal, seemed to have it at their mercy; but Warner, running out, managed to kick the ball out of danger.

Play then became a little rough, and a number of fouls were given by the referee against the Wanderers, who showed a decided inclination to jump at their opponents.

The Villa again began to assume the upper hand, and the Wolverhampton defence was taxed to its uttermost.

No further score was, however, made, and half-time found the Villa with a goal to the good.

After the usual interval the fight was resumed with great vigour, both goals being alternately endangered; but no additional point was made until about fifteen minutes from the finish, when Brodie took the ball down and crossed to Griffiths, who equalised matters, to the great delight of the Wanderers’ supporters.

Both sides struggled hard for the mastery, but no further score was made, and the game thus ended in a draw. A consultation was then held, and, although the light was very bad, it was decided to play the extra half hour.

Hardly had the game been re-started when the Villa attacked the Wanderers’ citadel, and Albert Brown again placed the Villa before their opponents. Soon afterwards Loach shot the ball through the Wanderers’ posts again, but the point was not allowed.

After about ten minutes’ play the Wanderers again equalised. And no further score being made, the match ended in a draw, each side having obtained two goals.

The following were the teams :-

Wanderers : Griffiths, goal : Mason and Bough, backs ; Lowder, Allen, and Pearson, half-backs; Hunter and Knight (right wing), Brodie (centre). Griffith, and Wood (left wing), forwards.

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