BOLTON WANDERERS v. ASTON VILLA.
THE CHAMPIONS WELL BEATEN.

The return game between these teams was played on the Burnden Park pitch, Bolton, on Saturday, before a gate over 18,000 spectators. The Villa had a capital side out and yet they were beaten, and deservedly so.

The playing-pitch was in good order, and Mr. Baker, of Newcastle, the referee, had no difficulty in keeping his men in order, each side played football of the most pleasing kind.

The Villa had to start against a slight wind, and early on were crowding round the home goal. The Wanderers, however, were not slow to return the compliment, and Evans had to give a corner to Cassidy.

After this play was of a lower order, for a while, but some nice passing by the Villa was witnessed in midfield. Somerville cleared from Athersmith, and then Devey kicked wide, Cassidy sending high over the bar at the other end a minute later.

Sutcliffe saved a high, dropping shot, and then Crabtree fouled Jack, and from the free kick, a corner, which locked dangerous for the Villa, resulted, and was with difficulty cleared. George experienced a lively few minutes, the Wanderers’ left and centre outwitting the backs and putting in good shots.

Play veered towards Sutcliffe’s charge, and the custodian luckily saved. Matters were now becoming more lively, and Wright scored a rattling goal for the Wanderers with a fast low shot, twenty minutes having elapsed from the start.

A few minutes later John Cowan beat Sutcliffe, but was off-side, no goal accruing. Devey was pulled up for fouling Scott, and Somerville stopped a dangerous run. B. Sharp was beaten by Jack, but Evans saved by conceding a corner, and Wright put in a good centre which George knocked behind, and the Villa goal again narrowly escaped.

Wanderers were certainly having most of the attack just now. A pretty piece of passing was neutralised by Sharp conceding corner, which was followed minute later by another. The latter was just put over the cross-bar. For some time the Villa were fairly penned in their goal, which escaped miraculously.

Wright had to leave the field, having received nasty kick, but whilst he was away Jack and Miller transferred play to the right wing, and Cassidy with a beautiful shot beat George all over.

The Wanderers were now two ahead, and fairly deserved the lead.

Athersmith tried a run on his own account, but without avail, and half time came round with the Wanderers leading by goals nil.

The Wanderers had quite as much the best of the play in the second as in the first half. Wright came on again, and, though lame, played fairly well at outside left. He could not shoot, however, and missed a grand opening. The easiest opening of the day was missed by Jack, who, with a clear goal, close in, shot wide.

Directly afterwards Miller was very near, and then Sutcliffe had to fist away the first good shot of the half. Gilligan and Cassidy had shots, which George stopped. Cassidy got down but was not allowed to centre, and when later he got going he was pulled up for off side.

George had next to clear, from which the Villa broke away, and the home goal had many narrow escapes. Sutcliffe picked up and saved with all the men on him. Wright shot into the Villa custodian’s hands, and Miller sent over at short range. The Wanderers had much the best of play to the finish, and eventually won two goals to nil.