ASTON VILLA V. NOTTS COUNTY

The Notts County paid a visit to the League champions in the second round of the English Cup Tie Competition.

The weather was fine but dull, and fully 20,000 spectators were present and the gate would have been much larger but the there was a great attraction at West Bromwich with a similar competition, where about 15,000 spectators were present.

Both teams were fully represented, Chatt being the only absentee from the home ranks and his place was filled by Reynolds. The visitors won the toss and the Notts captain benefited by the win in the first half. The ground was in really good trim, and Campbell started the game. Play went very evenly for a time, but the County eventually worked their way into the home quarters, and from a long shot the ball rolled into he Villa net, and the County had their account opened after about five minutes play.

This early success warmed the County to their work and also put the Villa on their mettle, the result being that the game was very fiercely contested for some time. There was little to choose between the teams for a long time, but the homesters on one occasion raced away, and Devey missed by inches only. They kept up the pressure, and gradually wore their opponents down with the pace. Villa came along with a well organised attack, and Athersmith sent in a very fine centred and from a scramble, the ball found its way into the net, apparently from Wheldon.

With the scores level the visitors again went strongly, and their forward work was decidedly good and they played a splendid combination. Wilkes played a sterling game in goal, and the home backs generally did good work.

The visitors continued to have much the better of the game and severely taxed the Villa defence. Relief eventually came and the play was of an open description. While some easy play was going on at the halfway line Crabtree and Bromley each tried to get possession, the result being that Bromley’s leg got broken.

When play settled down again the visitors were again to the front and their forward work was decidedly good. Spencer and Evans, however, were very steady, and the home defence could not be shaken.

Half time arrived with the scores eve, each team having scored a goal.

Upon resuming play after the interval, Notts immediately went to the front, and Calderhead gave Wilkes a handful, and Ball caused him again to handle in a very few minutes.

Villa’s turn now came for an innings, and after a number of free kicks had been awarded both sides, the Villa forced a corner, but although it was some time before the danger was over, and no danger was done, Langham raced away by himself, and finished up a brilliant run by sending a fine centre, causing Wilkes to get out to save.

After the Villa had reached midfield, the County got away again, and Langham and Allen between them severely taxed the resources of the home custodian.

The homesters now got away, and going all the way, Campbell sent in a splendid shot, which curled out of Toone’s hands outside the posts. The Villa were now going strongly and seemed to have worn the Notts men down, and Toone was called upon to repeatedly clear.

Still going strongly the Villa forced two corners in quick succession, Evans being very near scoring. After this the County relieved, but it was not for long, for after Wheldon had hashed a chance by holding too long, Cowan got in a long shot which kept the game in the visitors quarters. Some pretty work was now witnessed among the Villa forwards, and a corner was won. Athersmith took the place kick and sent the ball right in front of goal, and Campbell headed through amid almost mad enthusiasm.

The visitors protested against the point on the ground that it was over the line when Campbell touched its but the referee allowed the point.

Only ten minutes were left to play, and these few minutes were most stubbornly contested, each team performing some particular item of merit but no further points were registered.