PRESTON NORTH END V. ASTON VILLA.

These teams, which are undoubtedly going about the strongest of any two in the League in the matter of the championship, came together on the ground of the former, at Deepdale, Preston, on Saturday in beautiful Spring like weather, before 15,000 spectators.

The Villa arrives in Preston just before the time for the kick off, from Blackpool, where they had been training since Monday, while the N.E. took the field as the home trained article.

The sides were thoroughly representative, and Captain Simpson was not long in getting the men under way.

The Villa started but the play at once went in favour the North End, whose right wing sent away a chance right at the start.

The Villa centre, Campbell, now started his men on a grand rush, and a beautiful piece of work was seen but the home defence was quite equal to the situation.

Time after time the home side, who were playing a really grand game in the field, got to the front of the goal, but they seemed to lose themselves, and Pratt, Stevenson, and Henderson each made really miserable attempts at scoring.

At the other end Devey was within an ace notching one for his side with a fast turn round shot. Pratt sent in a stiff shot, which completely floored Crabtree, and then the same man all but broke the upright with a stinger.

Still, though North End were penning the Villans’ back, they could not score until the game was half an hour old, when Stevenson crashed the ball past Wilkes with a shot no man breathing could have stopped.

The Villans looked a bit glum at this, but earnestness was written on their faces. They had, however, only two shots which were dangerous before the interval, and each of these Trainor saved finely.

The North End, on the other hand, were almost continually shooting at goal, and nothing but the really brilliant play of Wilkes in goal prevented them from getting further ahead, and the North End led at the interval by a goal to niI.

The game was resumed after a very short interval, both sides coming in for a big demonstration, the Villa's supporters having been conveyed to the town in seven special L. and N. W. trains. The North End were quickly put on the defensive, and Holmes and Dunn had each to clear, a feat which Wilkes and Spencer performed at the other end.

The Villa were now showing better than in the initial half, and matters began to look gloomy for the home lot. They could not get at the Villa forwards properly and at the end of five minutes’ play, after a free kick, Campbell met Holmes’ return and scored with a low shot, which Trainer could not possibly get near.

This disheartened the home supporters, but their players went their work in the most manful manner. The crowd, which taxed the ground to its utmost capacity, was very orderly, but when each in turn ran up and came near scoring the motion of the crowd caused the barriers to give way. The men were, however, very orderly and kept outside the touch line very well.

Stevenson. the home centre, was all alive with a shot which struck Wilkes in the chest, the ball rebounding into his hands as if asking to be thrown out. Trainor’s charge was descended upon by Devey, Athersmith and Campbell, and shot after shot was rained in.

As time approached and no scoring was done, excitement became intense. However, further scoring was done, and the game was a draw. Result:—N.E. one goal Villa, one goal.