STOKE v. ASTON VILLA.
ANOTHER GRAND PERFORMANCE BY THE POTTERS.

The Stoke and Villa teams met at the Victoria Grounds, Stoke, on Saturday, for the purpose of playing their first match this reason. The grand win of the Potters over Sheffield United a week before, and the fact that the committee had squared up matters with Maxwell, both tended to enhance the interest taken in the game, and it was therefore not surprising to find fully 10,000 spectators present. The weather was not any means suitable for such a game, a thick, nasty fog spreading over the whole district, while the ground was on the soft, sloppy side.

Maxwell appeared in the Stoke ranks, and had capital reception. Almost as soon the Villans had started the game the home lot had found their way to the Villa goal, which was in the charge of Whitehouse. Here the whilom Scotchman made his first mistake, for when he had a grand chance to score he lifted the ball high over the bar.

Again Stoke burst back again after Crabtree had relieved the pressure. Hill this time being the delinquent in shooting aimlessly over the goal.

Still, the newness was not worn off the Stoke men, and Schofield twice tested the goalkeeper. The ex-Grimsby man, however, was at his best.

Now it became the turn of the Villans, and Johnson in goal had a downright busy time, Athersmith, and Cowan all sending in shots which deserved to score. Eccles and Robertson, however, gave the custodian capital assistance, and each side managed to keep a clean sheet until half time.

The second half saw the fog thicker and it was with difficulty that the game could followed, except by the participants.

The Villa soon began to press, but they found the defence sound. Wheldon thrice in rapid succession filled Johnstone's hands, but he got rid, though once Eccles had come to his assistance.

Then after a bit Stoke took a couple of fruitless corners, and do what they would neither side could manage to score.

Once Hingerty came dangerously near, for Whitehouse stuck to a red hot shot rather longer than was wise, but ultimately got rid. Result, draw-no goals scored.