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ASTON VILLA V. SHEFFIELD UNITED.
GRAND STRUGGLE AND SENSATIONAL FINISH.
THE SHEFFIELDERS WIN ON THE POST.

It is safe to say that no match which has been played in Birmingham for the last ten years has created such a vast amount of interest in Midland football circles as did the return League engagement between these teams, which was carried through at Aston Lower Grounds on Saturday.

Long before the commencement of the game the enclosure was thronged with a record crowd, there being fully 42,000 spectators present. In fact, so dense was the rush of spectators that it was found necessary to close all entrances before the rivals took to the field.

Recognising the importance of the match, both elevens had trained faithfully, the United at Matlock, while Aston Villa had taken their breathings at Droitwich.

The Sheffield eleven was exactly the same as that which had carried their colours to victory at Bramall Lane a week ago, while the Villa only made change to the eleven which appeared at Sheffield, Steve Smith displacing Cowan on the outside left.

Amid a pent up yell, Gaudie set the game in motion, the weather being dull though fine, and very little wind blowing. McKay and Bennett were the first to make headway, but Evans drew them up, and Jack Devey was soon leading his men towards FouIkes. Needham returned, and Cunningham sent in a high shot which Whitehouse punched away amid the plaudits of the mammoth crowd.

The home men were now very dangerous, Howell, in conceding a corner, almost sending the ball through hi own goal. The danger was cleared, and aided by good half-back work on the part of Howell and Morren, the visitors had a brief look in. Whitehouse kicked away from Gaudie, but the strangers kept at it. Cunningham sending the ball whizzing over the crossbar.

After this narrow escape Villa raised the siege and Athersmith sent in a lightning shot, which Foulkes just managed to tip over the timber. The subsequent corner was cleared and in double quick time the Sheffielders were swarming round Whitehouse.

McKay drove the ball in, but Bowman managed to clear, and good work by Cowan completely changed the scene of action. Wheldon tested the burly Yorkshire custodian without effect, and the opportunity was wound up by Cowan shooting behind.

Gaudie was unfortunately injured at this point, and had to leave the field.

With ten men opposed to them, Villa put on the pressure, and following some good work by Smith, Devey missed a very good opening.

Although short handed, the visitors played up in very plucky style, and the game was exceptionally evenly contested.

At half time neither team had scored.

When the teams reappeared it was noticed that Gaudie was still an absentee.

Sheffield set off at a great pace, and Bennett seemed well set for scoring in the first minute, when Evans just nipped the ball from his toe, a corner resulting. This was beautifully placed, and Morrem tipped the leather in nicely, Whitehouse just fisting out when all seemed over, and Crabtree, to the relief of the Villa supporters, swung the ball up towards mid-field. Wheldon raced away, but the Sheffield backs, who had all along exhibited grand form, proved once again a stumbling-block.

Offside play by Smith gave the United complete relief, and Whitehouse was soon again called upon to defend his charge.

Athersmith had one of his end-to-end runs, and driving the ball into goal, Howell in the excitement of the moment deliberately caught the ball with his hands and fisted it away.

Mr. Lewis at once granted a penalty kick from this Wheldon scored for Aston Villa, amid a scene of enthusiasm which well-nigh baffles description.

Gaudie at this point appeared, and being now at full strength the strangers played up in determined style.

The Villa replied right gamely, and for thirty minutes the struggle waged from end to end, neither side being able to claim any decided advantage.

With undiminished vigour the Sheffielders kept at it, and when ten minutes from time, Cunningham beat Whitehouse and thus made the scores level the excitement, was intense.

There was still time to pull the match out of the fire and the United seemed to be staying the pace better.

One minute from time the Villa goal was besieged, and Cunningham again beat Whitehouse, the strangers thus scoring a sensational win.