4-1

NOTTS COUNTY V. ASTON VILLA.
VILLA WIN EASILY BY FOUR TO ONE.

This match was played on the Trent Bridge Ground at Nottingham on Saturday afternoon in the presence of upwards of 10,000 spectators.

The weather, though chilly, was delightfully fine, and the game throughout was much enjoyed.

The visitors were seen to great advantage, the passing of their forwards being beautifully timed and most skilfully executed.

Notts showed plenty of dash, but in combination they were deficient in judgement as compared with the tactics pursued by their opponents.

The home captain won the toss, and Johnson started in the direction of the new Pavilion goal. For some little time Notts held their own, and forcing a “corner” on the left they were unlucky, perhaps, in not scoring. The ball struck the cross bar and on rebounding into play the “Villans” took up the running and gradually began to hamper the County defence.

Bull, amongst the halves of the latter, was conspicuous in checking the incursions of Smith and Wheldon. Presently the scene was changed, and Notts were the first to count on definite headway. Goss and Fletcher ran down on the left, and the visitors’ custodian left his post in order to clear from Fletcher. As a result of the throw away Ball, the left half back, took possession of the “leather” and directed it safely over the heads of several of the players into the net.

On resuming the Villa forwards at once assume the aggressive and Bull was compelled to concern a corner on their behalf. This was taken by Smith, and from the kick off and in a scrummage in front of the Notts stronghold, Johnson succeeded in equalising.

Directly following the same player added a second point after Suter had saved smartly from Smith.

Notts improved, and once M’Connochie ought to have beaten George.

Towards the end of the first half the home side looked like scoring, but the chance was nullified by the granting of a free kick to the opposite eleven.

When the interval was reached the totals read - Villa, two; Notts, one.

In the second half the “Brums” had much the best of the exchanges, Hadley and M’Connochie alone showing any sort of form for Notts.

Athersmith headed wide, and a fast shot from the foot of Devey witness the ball travel over the local barrier.

Wheldon put in some grand work in the Notts half close to goal, and a further corner was conceded by Bull, who, however cleared by heading out the ball.

Athersmith was very speedy, and two or three times he was pulled up for being off side.

Johnson then contributed a third point for Aston, and from the centre kick, Athersmith and Devey ran right through the Notts backs, the latter finishing up with an additional goal.

From here to the close the Villa men had matters pretty much their own way, and the finally ran out easy winners by four goals to one.