SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL MATCHES.
ASSOCIATION RULES.
ENGLISH CUP TIES - FIRST ROUND.

ASTON VILLA (HOLDERS) V. OLDBURY TOWN

These teams met at Oldbury, in the presence of about 3,000 spectators. As was generally expected, the Aston Villa beat their opponents, who nevertheless made a creditable fight.

During the first, half in fact, the home team exhibited very good form, their defence being really brilliant. In the second portion of the game, however, combination and steadiness asserted themselves, the result being that the Villa scored three goals, two of which were put on within ten minutes from the call of time.

The Villa on Saturday were not seen at their best, but that they are approaching to last year’s form was apparent from the the fact that they played up better in the second than the first half.

Hunter having lost the toss kicked off towards the town end, against a slight breeze. The Villa were soon swarming round their opponents goal, where a corner-kick was conceded them, but nothing came of it, Riddell heading the leather out of danger.

The Oldbury men then made several breakaways, but they never got past Coulton and Cox, who defended in good style, although the latter’s kicking was not so clean as it might have been.

From a long kick by Coulton the Villa forwards obtained the ball, and bore down In a body for the opposing goal, the passing being exceedingly pretty and neat. The effort was without result, for Hodgetts shot outside.

After the goal-kick Allen and Hodgetts displayed some neat passing, and the latter centred accurately, but Riddell, who was playing a fine game, met the ball with his head, and averted the downfall of the goal.

The Villa kept up a continual pressure, and fifteen minutes from the kick-off Brown, having received the ball from Hodgetts, scored with a low swift shot.

After the centre kick had been taken the Perry Barr men dashed in the direction of the Oldbury goal; but Green kept the ball a moment too long before shooting, and Hazelwood took It from him. The Oldbury half back kicked it to his forwards, and they attacked the Villa citadel, which appeared in imminent danger, but Coulton fortunately cleared.

The fight was soon being waged in its old quarters; but try as hard as they could the Perry Barr men could not break through the Town’s defence, and at half-time were only a goal to the good.

The two men who showed the best form for the home team were Riddell and Hazelwood, the latter of whom was a source of much trouble to Brown and Green, who, by-the-bye, seemed to be a little nervous, and refrained from his usual rushing tactics.

Immediately after the restart the Villa attacked, and a splendid low shot was ably dealt with by the Goalkeeper, Matthews.

The Town forwards then broke away, and playing with more combination than had previously marked their efforts, got into the vicinity of the visitors goal, Neil making a long shot which Warner had much difficulty in getting away. Had he been charged a goal would inevitably have been the result, but Coulton and Cox protected him.

Hodgetts then made a run down on the left, but his final shot went wide, whilst an attempt by Green was just as inaccurate, Play was confined to the vicinity of the Town’s goal for some minutes, but relief was afforded by Southall and Barber, who ran down the left wing in rare style. Yates was passed, and Coulton, when about to tackle, lost his footing, so that the two forwards had only Cox to evade. He, however, watched his opportunity, and took the ball from Southall just as he was about to shoot, much to the relief of the Villa supporters.

Cox, indeed, during the second half played a remarkably fine game kicking better than in the first part. The downfall of the Town’s goal was looked upon as certain when Hunter secured the leather a few yards from goal, but his shot was weak, and Matthews easily saved.

A few moments later the Villa captain made amends by sending In a low swift shot, Matthews stopped the hall with his legs, but ere he had time to kick it away Allen rushed him and the ball between the posts.

Although two goals in the minority, the Town made some plucky attempts to score, and a long shot by Nell gave Warner a deal of trouble.

The Villa, however, continued to hold the upper hand, and a few minutes from time Hodgetts scored a third goal.

The Oldbury man retaliated by making a combined assault onto their opponents’ citadel, and managed to force the ball through, but the point was disallowed on the ground of a previous foul.

Just before the whistle blew Brown added another point for Villa who were then victorious by four goals to none.

Oldbury Town Crosswells : Matthews, goal; Bradbury and Riddell, backs; Hazlewood, Bunn and Stanton, half-backs; Aston, Bunn, Neale, Southall and Barber, forwards.

Aston Villa: Warner, goal, Cox and Coulton, backs; Burton, Davey and Yates, half-backs; Hodgetts, Allen, Hunter, Brown and Green, forwards.