THE LAST LEAGUE MATCH.
PRESTON NORTH END v. ASTON VILLA.

This, the last game in the League contest for the present season, was played at Deepdale, before, 3,000 spectators. The Villa played their full League team, while North End had Boyd and Henderson alone of their League forwards, while Orr was away at half-back, and Holmes filled the vacancy. The North End started to play up the incline, and it was soon patent everyone which was the best team.

The North End forwards played in a disjointed manner, and when they did get near goal did not appear to know what to do with the ball. Te home centre once got possession from the left wing, and dropped the ball just over the bar as Whitehouse held the crossbar down. The crowd shouted “Goal,” but the referee ordered a goal kick.

The Villa right wing were spoken to by the referee for foul work, and in the first twenty minutes the Villa showed up badly in the matter of foul play. They settled down, however, and first John Cowan, then Athersmith, and lastly Devey tested Trainer, who was, however, equal to all calls.

At the other end. Henderson, when he had a fine opening, hoisted the ball high over the bar, while a minute or two later Boyd had hard lines with a shot which skimmed the upright on the opposite side of the goal to Whitehouse.

A hot struggle took place in front of the Villa goal five minutes before the interval, the ball hitting the upright, the crossbar, and the players, and going anywhere but through.

Then in midfield Brown fouled James Cowan, and from the free kick Spencer placed well to Wheldon. That player shot for goal at close quarters, and Trainer got his hands at the ball, but the spin was too great for him. and the ball curled into the corner of the net, and the Villa led by 1-0 half-time.

The second half proved a very tame and mediocre affair.

The Villa did the bulk of the pressing until close on the end but found Dunn, Tait, and Trainer unbeatable. North End made a last effort in the closing ten minutes the match, and though Henderson, Boyd, and Brown all gave Whitehouse a lot to do, he was equal to the occasion, and the game ended—Villa 1 goal. North End 0.