ASTON VILLA V. LIVERPOOL,

THE VILLANS’ VALUABLE VICTORY.
Had the executive of the two clubs engaged in this Semi Final tie at Bramall Lane Grounds, Sheffield, on Saturday, had the ruling of the weather themselves they could not possibly have improved upon that which prevailed. The sun shone forth brilliantly, and there was a balminess in the atmosphere that betokened the near approach of Springtime.

It was well that the cutlery capital was chosen the locale of one of the semi-final ties, as attendance was enormous, and few other grounds than the historic Bramall lane enclosure would have accommodated the multitude.

During the early house of the afternoon heavily laden excursion trains from all parts of the country poured their living freight into Sheffield, and as early as two o’clock - or two hours before the time set for the kick off - the ground was tenanted by thousands of spectators who were anxious to secure a good position to view the game.

That the gate was a monster one many the gathered from the fact that the gate receipts amounted to the big sum of £912. 12s.as considerably over 30,000 spectators watched the Villains beat the Liverpudlians, and qualify for the final.

Owing to the dry weather of the previous two days the turf was in a very sound state, and as there was very little wind to aid either side, the conditions were very favourable for fast play.

There was one change in each team, Crabtree was unable to play for the Villains and his place was filled by J. Griffiths, while in the Liverpool team Becton took the place of Hannah.

Punctually to four o’clock the men lined up and Liverpool having won the toss, Campbell kick-off for the Villa towards Bramall Lane, the slight wind at the time blowing diagonally across the enclosure.

Play had not progressed half a minute before Reynolds kicked the ball on to Becton’s face, causing a short stoppage.

The Villa forwards moved up towards the Liverpool goal but there was little combination observed and M’Cartney easily repulsed Athersmith’s final effort.

At the Villa end Allen out the ball in the net, but the whistle had previously blown for a foul. From the free kick the ball travelled to the Liverpool end, and Athersmith put in a couple of good centres, the first being kicked away by the Liverpool backs, whilst Wheldon clean missed the second one when he had a good opening.

For twenty minutes the game was played in a ragged, disconnected style, neither set of forwards showing good combination, though Liverpool were the worst.

When only eight minutes of the half remained to be played the Villa right wing ran the ball down and it was crossed to John Cowan on the extreme left, and with a splendid hook kick he sent in an oblique shot, the ball landing high up in the left hand corner of the net. Storer having gone to the right hand side to save. As it was, the had no chance of disposing of Cowan’s fine effort.

The remainder of play in the first half was of a desultory character, and the interval arrived with the Villa leading by the margin of one goal to Liverpool nil.

On commencing the second portion of the game there was a marked improvement in the play of the Villains, as after Neill had given Whitehouse one to contended with, the Villans pressed most vigorously, and the Liverpool defence was pretty sorely tired.

To begin with John Cowan sprinted along the left, and it took the burly Allen all his time to force him outside the line. Athersmith gave Devey possession, and he shot over bar. A run to the Villa end saw Neill shoot over, and then play was quickly transferred to the Liverpool end.

Storer got rid of one from Wheldon but the Villa kept up the pressure, and Campbell shot wide. Devey and Campbell each hit the post with shotes that looked certain to score but after eleven minutes’ play Reynolds passed to John Cowan who was close up to the Liverpool goal and he headed past Storer.

During the next nineteen minutes the play was mostly in the Liverpool domain, the Villa showing the best form. At the expiration of half an hour, Athersmith, on the extreme right, sent in an oblique shot, the ball landing high up in the right hand corner away from Storer, and scoring the third point for Villa.

With three goals in hand victory was assured for the Aston boys, who in the last quarter of an hour took matters rather easily, but still kept their opponents at bay.