PRESTON NORTH END V. ASTON VILLA.
HOLLOW VICTORY FOR THE VILLANS.

The Aston Villa team are always popular an welcomed at Preston, but they went a bit too strong on Saturday, when they simply romped away from the home lot, and beat then by five goals to nil.

The Villa men at once took up the attack, and Templeton and Wheldon soon put M’Bride upon his metal, but he threw away twice in grand fashion. North End got down and had an opening, but Stevenson stood still till he was charged off the ball. Henderson, however, soon caused a lot of anxiety by two shots, which it took George all his time to save.

The Villa were not long on the defensive, a smart run by Templeton taking the ball to the other end, where after severe pressure, Garraty ran right between the full backs and scored with a shot which gave M’Bride no chance.

For the ensuing few minutes M’Bride had to clear twice. The Villa were not long before they were once more near the home goal, but they were forced back, and Atherton and Henderson made good tries.

In twenty minutes Smith came into possession on the half way line, and with a grand fast dribbled completely beat Dunn and Holmes, and easily scored a second goal.

North End now worked harder than ever to get through the defence. Henderson made George use his hands with a fast shot, and Stevenson, when in a good position, headed over.

Templeton on one side, and Atherton on the other, made some grand ones, and both Henderson and Pearce gave George trouble. The Villa left again got narthex home goal line, where Smith, with a low shot, scored a third goal ten minutes from half time.

North End tried hard to get past Evans and Noon but failed.

Half time. Villa, three; North End, nil.

When the second half commenced, North End were the first to be turned back, and then the visitors commenced a long series of brilliant efforts, in which Smith, Templeton, and Wheldon were prominent.

The defence, however, kept the Villa from scoring, though M’Bride had to be very smart on one or two occasions. North End only got about a couple of shots at George, and these were of a soft description.

So the game proceeded until twelve minutes from the finish, when M’Bride kicked the ball away from goal, when it struck Dunn on the head and rebounded into the net, thus scoring an easy goal for the Villa, much to the surprise of everybody.

Within a very short time Smith, after a very fine tun scored the fifth goal.

The reverse caused consternation on the ground for the North End have been playing well lately.

Result: Villa, five; North End, nil.