1-1

ASTON VILLA v. WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS.
HARD GAME ENDS WITH HONOURS EASY.

Beautiful weather prevailed in Birmingham on Saturday, and the customary huge attendance put in an appearance at Aston Lower Grounds to witness the encounter between these teams.

Both elevens were at full strength, Johnson reappearing in the home team after a three week absence. There was a blustering oblique wind blowing when the Wanderers set the game in motion, before 20,000 spectators.

The visitors were early dangerous, but Crabtree relieved, and Smith took the ball up. Bowman subsequently shooting wide. A free kick to Aston Villa gave them a chance, but twice Baddeley cleared in good style. Blackett and Miller completely changing the venue. Determined, but not pretty work by the Wolves€™ front line hemmed the homesters in for a bit until Evans relieved. Back came the Wanderers, and Beats drove the ball past George, but point was disallowed on account of a previous infringement.

The home forwards rushed to the other end, and Baddeley was cheered for the fashion in which he saved a grand shot from the foot of Athersmith. Still keeping at it, the Villa forced a corner, and Crabtree scored the first goal for the homesters some twenty-two minutes from the start.

The Wanderers played up in very plucky style after this reverse, but George saved well, and the defence of the home backs was also very sound. A break-away the Wanderers was pluckily intercepted by Aston, but the Villa back came to grief in the fray, for he had to leave the field almost immediately.

Up to half time the home men played with only one back, but they held their rivals out until the interval, at which point the score stood - Aston Villa, one goal; Wanderers, nothing.

When play was resumed, Aston was still an absentee.

The strangers. recognising this advantage, made herculean efforts get on level terms with their opponents, and two minutes later McMain beat George.

This success infused new life into the struggle, the Wolves again attacking, George being compelled to punch away. Athersmith and Devey raced to the other end, and Johnson was given a good opportunity, which he, however, failed put to account.

Aston, although he had strained his knee badly, now resumed, but was too lame much service to his side.

The Molineux men had now by far the best of the game, and all the defensive powers of the Villa were called into requisition to prevent the strangers from forging ahead.

In the closing minutes, and Athersmith missed likely openings, but no further goals were scored.

Result Aston Villa, one goal: Wanderers, one goal.