THE GREAT FOOTBALL MATCH.
ASTON VILLA v. PRESTON NORTH END.

The great fight is over, and the Birmingham team has lost.

It is said that the result of the match, so far as it confers upon the victors the right to enter the sixth round of the competition for the English Cup, will be set aside and that the clubs will be ordered to meet again; But even if that should prove to be the case, it is very certain that no second contest between the clubs can rival the first in interest and importance, or in any way diminish the value of its decisive verdict.

The excitement which Saturday’s match aroused had nothing to do with the competition for the English Cup. It was a struggle for the football championship of England and the world, and the result admits of no question. It was no doubt an historic occasion in the records of the game; and for many years it will be remembered by all football enthusiasts how, on the first Saturday of the year 1888, before a crowd and amidst an excitement unparalleled in the history of the game, the Aston Villa made a bold effort to wrest the championship from Preston North End, who for three years had enjoyed an undisturbed superiority; how during the the first half of the game the Villa. playing with daring and wind and light against them, fairly held their own; how, in the second half, when all looked for the Villa to take a strong lead, the Preston forwards went off with a great dash, using their superiority in weight with merciless vigour, and playing at headline speed a game of consummate science; how they quickly obtained two goals; and how, at the second disaster, the Villa with equal suddenness and completeness, collapsed like a pricked bladder, and for the rest of the game fought a stubborn but hopeless fight in the very mouth of their own goal.

There is no gainsaying that the match resulted in a complete vindication for the superiority of the great Preston club - the giants of the North - to the crack Midland team. For the first part of the game the Villa had distinctly the upper hand, especially considering the disadvantage to which the loss of the toss had subjected them. The same faults which lost the Prestonians the famous match with the West Bromwich Albion last year were to be observed in their play. They worked with beautiful precision in midfield, but were wanting in speed and dash, and were especially irresolute in front of goal.

On the other hand the Villa, except that for the first half hour the back play was wanting, in soundness, and there were a great many mis-kicks - faults which were, however, amply atoned for later on - played one and all in grand style. They met their great opponents on equal terms at every point, and they had even more than the anticipated superiority in goal-keeping. The whistle sounded for half time with the score at one goal apiece - that obtained by the Villa being the fit reward of a brilliant piece of work, and that obtained by the Preston being decidedly lucky, the ball striking the foot of the post and going round Warner into goal. At this point the hopes of the Villa supporters ran high, and with good reason.

If thus the Villa had more than held their own with ground, wind and light against them, what would result now that these disadvantages were transferred to their opponents?

The prevailing feeling round the ground was that the Villa would win, and win with ease. But in a few minutes after the ball was again started all these hopeful calculations were upset. It is difficult to write of the play of the whole Preston team during the second half without appearing to exaggerate. No such play has ever been seen on a Birmingham ground; we doubt if such play has ever before been seen in England. The Villa were simply nowhere. The effect upon the bewildered spectators was as if some five or six of the Villa men had left the field. After the first five minutes, the Villa forwards never came down the field, and the Preston backs stood right in the centre of the play. We do not doubt that the Lancashire men were fairly roused, and were playing above themselves.

We wrote on Thursday that the weak points of the team were their slowness and their want of staying power. On Saturday they outpaced the fleetest of the Villa players, and stayed with absolutely overwhelming vigour to the very last moment. The rush of their forwards must have been seen for its fierce onslaught to be appreciated. Over and over again they dashed up the wings, their loose white shirts bulging in the wind, and passing the ball always forward - for the Preston men when they mean business keep ahead of the man with the ball instead of racing alongside with incredible accuracy and precision.

The three half backs, all playing a great game, were more than a match for the five Villa forwards, and whenever a long kick by Coulton or Cox came down the field, “Nick” Ross dropped it back almost into the Villa goal-mouth. The local team were brushed aside as if they were an eleven of schoolboys making their first assay at the game. For that forty minutes’ play alone the Preston North End deserve the football championship. There is of course no need for the Aston Villa to be discouraged by the result of the game. The local team has made no retrograde step. It stands today in precisely the same position in which it stood on Friday - the second club in the kingdom. It boldly challenged the supremacy of the champions, and it has been worsted. It is glory enough to have compelled the Preston men to play as they probably never played before. We can only wish the Aston Villa better luck next time. But until the present generation of football players has passed away, we do not expect to see the Preston club compelled to take second place. For combination of weight and strength with speed and cleverness, the team is not likely to find its equal.

It was a great occasion and the surroundings were worthy of the occasion. The varying fortunes of the game were watched with eager anxiety by the largest crowd ever to be assembled to see a football match. Ever since it was known that the two clubs had been drawn together, the interest in the contest has been without parallel. All the country through the relative merits of the rival teams have been actively canvassed.

A long row of reporters haling from all parts of the kingdom chronicled the events of the play. In four towns at least special editions of evening papers were published with the result of the match. Although in Preston a great crowd blocked the streets, waiting, anxious to hear the fortunes of their representatives, the cheers when each goal fell to the Lancashire team, seemed to denote that half Preston was at Perry Barr.

In Birmingham the excitement was tremendous. The match was the one absorbing topic of conversation on the Friday evening. On the Saturday morning the town seemed to be divided into those who were expressing their intentions of going to the match and those who were giving their reasons for staying away. The match was to commence at a quarter past two. The gates were thrown open at noon, and by that time a long line of vehicles and a great crowd of foot passengers had already assembled outside the ground.

As early as eleven o’clock the fight for the tramcars at the Old Square was in full swing. From noon till one o’clock the crowds poured in fast and furious. By one o’clock the footpaths of the streets leading from the town to Perry Barr were crowded on both sides by persons all eagerly hurrying in the same direction, while the roadway was exclusively occupied by long lines of cabs and omnibuses and an endless array of those indescribable vehicles which the enterprising owner of decrepit horse flesh turns such occasions to his financial profit.

At the ground the attendance was simply enormous. It may safely be said that no person, who had not a reserved seat, who arrived on the ground less than an hour before the start, caught a glimpse of the game, or even saw the ball save when an erratic “back” indulged in a wild kick into the sky.

All round the enclosure was a dense black mass of humanity, At the top of the ground, from the row in the forefront squeezed desperately against the bars, to the back row of the reserved seats which rose in many tiers behind, the crowd was full forty deep. The pavilion and club-stands were crowded to excess. Along the other two sides of the ground the crowd was fifteen or sixteen deep. Every window and every roof in the neighbourhood had its group of eager gazers. Outside the crowd were the vehicles, in some places seven rows of them - vehicles of all sorts and sizes, from the chaste four-wheeler to the lordly coach, and the hastily improvised furniture wagon. In many places enterprising owners of rough market-carts charged half-a-crown for standing room, and many were the altercations between and proprietor who was inducing fresh customers to patronise an already crowded cart, and the half-suffocated clients who denounced him as a ”greedy villain”.

Between the vehicles gathered long lines of melancholy individuals, peering anxiously for a point of vantage, their faces expressing all the gradation of mournfulness from the last lingering brightness of hope deferred to the settle gloom of abandoned desperation. We should say that the number of persons on the ground who did not see the match far surpassed the number of those who did. Those whose knowledge of the game was confined to hearsay information of the members of the row in front must have been ten deep in many places. To endure a long martyrdom, moving neither hand nor feet, squeezed into a constantly decreasing compass, speculating as to which inflicted the more poignant pangs - the knees of the men behind or the elbows of the man in front - with the sole rewards of hearing at intervals what somebody else saw of the game, was the fate of many a forlorn enthusiast.

How many persons there were round the Perry Barr ground it is impossible to say. Exaggeration as to attendance is one of the traditions of the game of football. The “gate” will be generally estimated at 30,000, and it probably exceeded 20,000. The crowd behaved, as a rule, astonishingly well. Three or four times they invaded the arena of play, but their incursion was due much more to the pressure of those behind them, and to the astonishing ineptitude of those whose business it was to keep the ring clear, than to the least disorderly intention on the part of the great throng. Some fifty county policemen were present to see the ground clear, and we will say that for place and resigned incapacity in the presence of a crowd these fifty gentlemen may fairly be awarded the palm.

When the crowd broke upon the playing ground, some of the police surveyed the operation from a distance with a weak smile of languid interest, while the most active confined their exertions to arguing the matter out in a chatty and confidential fashion with individual intruders. At one time the ring was allowed to be encroached upon by a large crowd for at least ten minutes before the police awoke to any grasp to the fact that the matter in some way concerned them. When at last they did make an attempt to clear the ground, the crowd was in a few seconds compelled to fall back. Every policeman in the enclosure was an invaluable argument in favour of the extension of the borough boundaries. During the first half of the game the police were reinforced by two volunteers on carthorses, who ambled gently round the enclosure.

Horse mounted police from Birmingham had been telephoned for, and in the last half hour made an appearance. Their services were, however, not called for despite their late large requisition; the crowd as we have said, behaving admirably under very trying circumstances.

It is said, as we have already hinted, that the match will probably be declared void by the committee of the Football Association. The reports are very conflicting, but it is evident that some protest was lodge with the referee early in the game as to the encroachments of the crowd. If, as is stated in some quarters, both captains joined in the protest and agreed to consider the match as merely a friendly game, so that both teams played with the knowledge that as a cup-tie match the conclusion was foregone, the match is of course null and void. But we doubt if anything of the sort took place. If the two teams had any knowledge that the importance of the contest had been materially diminished, they managed most successfully to prevent that knowledge showing itself in their play. It was a fiercely contested, ding dong, hammer and tongs match from the first moment to the last. If, however, the protest was privately lodged by one captain only, we do not think it would be upheld even against the club appealing. We have to record our emphatic opinion that the match was fairy played out, that the players were in no case hampered by the spectators, and that the better side won.

The Villa were first on the field, and came in for a hearty round of applause, whilst the North End, who speedily followed, were cordially greeted. The referee, noticing that the crowd had encroached, did not at once give the order for the commencement, which was delayed whilst the officials and members of the Villa team were trying to get the crowd back, and the best that could be done was to get them to toe the touch mark and then form a living boundary in three sides of the field. As soon as this had been done the two captains tossed up, and “Nick” Ross named the coin. He, of course, placed his men with their backs to the sun, and the wind and ground in their favour. Hunter kicked off, and Drummond made a run and centred, but Cox kicked clear, and Hodgetts raced away on the left. He dodged Robertson and Howarth, and placed the ball well into the front of the North End goal, but none of the Villa forwards were up, and Ross kicked out of danger. The North End forwards now displayed their marvellous powers over the ball, for despite the efforts of the Villa half backs, they kept the leather to themselves, and travelled towards the Villa goal. Its downfall seemed extremely probable but Ross just, passed too strongly to Gordon and the leather rolled behind.

No sooner was the ball in play than it was again in possession of the Prestonians, and the Villa supporters were exceedingly anxious until Yates cleared. Drummond and Dewhurst then became conspicuous for some fine passing but he kept the ball a little too long, for Yates got at him and kicked the ball to Brown, who rushed away and centred nicely; but Allen made a very wild shot, being apparently hurried. The Prestonians again pressed, and the next few moments were anxious ones for the Villa backs, who, however, successfully averted the assault. Again the North End were the aggressors, passing and re-passing with beautiful precision, so that the Villa half backs could not get to the ball. Goodall tried a shot, which was not true to its aim. The Preston backs now had a taste of what the Villa backs had been enjoying, for Hunter and his men got into close quarters, the Villa captain trying a shot. Ross Senior, however, played like a demon, and with a huge kick again enabled his side to bear back the Villa attack, but at the critical moment Gordon ran the ball outside.

The home forwards again had a try to storm the North End goal, but Howarth kicked the ball against Hodgett’s legs, and it rebounded outside. The visitors worked their way into the Villa’s half, and Cox was forced to give a corner kick, from which nothing resulted. The North End, who up to this time had had most of the play, made another determined rush upon the Villa goal. Hunter, in trying to kick away, “skied” the ball and it dropped into goal; but Warner cooly turned it over the bar, being loudly applauded for the save, which was, indeed a fine piece of goalkeeping. This, the second corner to the North End, was of no more use than the first. They returned to the attack, however, with renewed vigour; but Yates who was playing with splendid determination, kicked away.

The game was at this point stopped because the spectators on the reserved side had encroached over the boundary mark. Five minutes or more were spent by the Villa players and officials in getting the ground clear, and both teams seemed to chafe at the interruption. On recommencing, the Villa, playing well together made praiseworthy attempt to lower their opponents’ colours, but their final shot was wide. Some more beautiful passing and dodging ensued between the Preston forwards, and the Villa half backs had the greatest difficulty in stopping the onslaught. Time after time, Ross Junior, dodged Burton, who pluckily stuck to his work although palpably outclassed. In fact Burton was no match for the two forwards who were opposing him, and many dangerous assaults by the Preston men came from the right wing.

In the centre and on the left it was different, Dawson and Yates being heavier and better able to cope with their opponents, and both of them deserve all praise for the manner in which they played. Yates in particular was the saviour of his side on many an occasion, for he rendered splendid assistance to Cox and Coulton. After an unsuccessful attack had been made by the “Scotchmen” the Villa forwards displayed their true form. Playing with combination quite equal to that of their opponents they beat the powerful half backs opposed to them, and for well in reach of goal. Allen, when tackled by Ross Senior, gave the ball to his captain who put it between the posts, Ferguson never having a chance to reach it. This success was received with a great cheer from the assembled thousands and the faces of the Villa supporters wore a cheerful smile, whilst those of the Prestonians lengthened a little.

The Villa forwards, encouraged by their success, compelled the visitors to act on the defensive, and “Nick” Ross had ample opportunity to display his huge kicking. Cox and Coulton were soon busy again and the latter went down on his knees and saved a dangerous shot by Goodall. A shot by Dewhurst, went wide, and then Dawson, being hotly pressed, kicked out and Preston had a third corner, which, as in the case of the two previous ones, they were prevented from utilising. It speaks volumes for the defensive play of the Villa that it should have stood such a stand as was imposed upon it; and it is certain the the Villa backs and goalkeeper were equal to if not superior to the North End’s; but the half backs of the latter team, as a body, were better than the Villa trio, Russell especially displaying magnificent form.

Hodgetts and Allen got away on the left, and the latter player put in two fine shots, but neither got home. A moment later Brown made a shot from the right, but the ball passed the wrong side of the post. Ross and Gordon carried play into the Villa’s half, and the latter centred, but Yates kicked clear, and then Ross was forced to kick out on account of a sharp attack by Hodgetts and Allen. North End again pressed, but Goodall shot outside. At this point another ten minutes’ interval ensued, the time being taken up in getting back the crowd, which had again encroached into the field. It was not without some difficulty that the ground was again cleared. It was observable that the umpires, referee and captains were holding a conference, and it was rumoured that it was decided that it was impossible to play a cup tie. However that may be, it was thought advisable to go on with the game, for the reason, it was stated, that otherwise a riot would have ensued.

On restarting the Villa rushed up the field, but Green headed outside. Down on the Villa goal rushed the visitors, but their attack was spoiled by a mis-kick, and the Villa forwards, playing well together, again became dangerous, but Ross kicked out. Some beautiful play followed between Hodgetts and Allen, and the latter player put in a fine shot, but Ferguson saved, and a second shot by Allen went wide. Not to be denied, the Villa forwards came again to the attack, and from a centre by Hodgetts, Green put the ball through. An appeal for offside was made and allowed. Two attacks by the North End were checked, and then Hodgetts, who was playing as fine a forward game as any man on the field, tricked Howarth and centred across goal; but no now was up, and an easy chance was lost.

Again Hodgetts dodged Howarth and shot across to the opposite wing. Brown kicked to the centre; but Hunter failed to steady himself, and his shot was wild and untrue. The Villa were now pressing, and another fine centre by Hodgetts was lost through no one being at hand. Coulton stopped a shot from Gordon, and then the Villa forwards again got into the North End’s half; but instead of passing close, they kicked the ball to the Preston backs, who had nothing to do but to lift it down the field again. Several good runs were spoilt by this fault, and it became noticeable that several of the Villa forwards were a little nervous. They did not play with the usual coolness which is characteristic of them. Loud cheers greeted a splendid piece of goalkeeping by Warner, who saved a “scorcher” from Ross junior. The cheers had hardly died away ere Goodall made another shot. The ball struck the post and rebounded through, thus equalising the score. From this point to half-time the North End pressed, and Warner had plenty of work to do, and did it well, saving the Villa goal once when its downfall appeared certain. The interval was utilised in getting the crowd in order, and two Hussars, mounted on hacks, materially contributed to this end.

After the change over, the North End were first to become prominent, and Drummond shot in; but the ball struck the post, and Warner threw it out of danger. The Villa forwards, playing well, looked likely to score, but Green shot outside, to the disgust of the spectators. Preston retaliated, but Coulton thwarted their hostile intention. Again the Villa forwards carried the fight into the North End’s territory, where Howarth fouled the ball. The kick was well taken and Green had another opportunity, but again shot outside. Green, indeed, throughout the match, played much below his usual standard. He seemed hurried, and was too anxious to pass the ball, when he could have made better use of it had he only kept it to himself.

The rest of the Villa vanguard, especially Hodgetts, were not playing up grandly. They came down the field in a line, and certainly had luck in not scoring. Hodgetts worked his way through his opponents, and made a shot, which soared over the bar. Gordon and Ross, junior, afforded temporary relief by a fine run on the right; but Cox stopped them, and returned the leather to his forwards, who again raced down the field and Ferguson fisted out a shot from Allen. The game was stopped for a few moments in consequence of Ross senior, getting winded and on his recovery the Villa again pressed, but carried the ball outside. The Preston right wingers raced away up the hill, but Cox was too good for them, and the Villa once more drew near the North End citadel. They were stopped in full flight by a foul, and then the North End slowly but surely worked their way up the field. Yates tackled Drummond, but was beaten, and the Prestonian left winger centred to Goodall who scored the second point for the visitors amid much excitement. For a few minutes the Villa persevered, and Dawson had hard luck in not equalising; but then they appeared to lose courage. The result was that the Preston North End began to have the best of the game, and the Villa goal was kept in a constant state of bombardment. The Villa offered a grand defence but the attack was irresistible and Goodall soon put on the third goal. It is impossible to give a further accurate description of the game as the spectators in the unreserved portions of the field broke into the reserve, and, crowding around the reporters’ seat, obscured the view. An attempt was made to send them back, but the officials were unable to cope with the crowd, who were now ten deep in front of the Press desk. It appeared, however, that the North End had the best of the play, and Warner saved shot after shot. Just before the finish the Villa got down again, and Ferguson was forced to use his hands.

The ball was soon, however, in its old quarters and it is extremely creditable to the Villa defence that the Northeners did not substantially add to their score. Had all the Villa played up with the pluck of Warner, Cox and Coulton the result might have been different; but as before stated, the Villa vanguard fell off lamentably after the second goal had been scored. The North End were not slow to take advantage of it. The game thus ended in a victory for the Preston North End by 3 goals to 1.

The teams were as follows:-

Preston North End: Ferguson, goal; Howarth and J. N. Ross, backs; Robertson, Russell and Graham, half backs; F. Dewhurst and Drummond (left), Goodall (centre), James Ross and Gordon (right), forwards.

Aston Villa: Warner, goal; Cox and Coulton, backs; Burton, Dawson and Yates, half backs; Brown and Green (right), Hunter (centre), Hodgetts and Allen (left), forwards.

Umpires: Messrs C. J. Hughes and M. F Betts. Referee: Mr. J. C. Clegg, of Sheffield.