SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL.
LEAGUE MATCHES.

ASTON VILLA V. ACCRINGTON. - The visit of Accrington to Perry Barr was looked forward to with much interest on account of the splendid form displayed this year by the Lancashire team.

On Saturday week they played a drawn game with the renowned Preston North End, and patrons of football in the district were most anxious to witness a match between them and the Aston Villa.

The attendance was consequently very large, the spectators numbering fully 6,000.

The visitors demonstrated to the satisfaction of all present that their powers had not been over-estimated, and it was only after one of the stiffest struggles ever witnessed on the ground that the Villa men won.

Should Accrington maintain their form they will prove dangerous rivals for the English Cup to any of the first-class clubs entered - say, for instance, the Villa, Albion, or North End.

The “reds” as they are called, after the colour of their jerseys, are pretty much of a size, being of medium height and strong and muscular build. They play with rare dash, and never show the slightest trace of the white feather.

Accrington won the toss, and kicked towards the Wellington Road goal, with a strong wind behind them. Their forwards were soon charging down on the Villa goal, which fell before the attack, Kirkham sending in a shot which, being helped by the wind, proved too good for Warner.

So disastrous a start boded ill for the home team, who, however, were not disheartened but played very pluckily. Hodgetts made a grand run on the left and centred the ball straight into goal; Green rushed in and did his best to direct the ball between the posts with his head, but sent it just a few inches too high. The attempt, however, was a very fine one, and deserved all the applause which it received.

The Accrington forwards raced towards the Villa goal at a great pace and a stinging shot was directed into goal from the left wing, but Warner saved well.

The home team were now hard pressed for a few minutes, but managed to keep their goal secure.

The fight was then taken into the visitors’ goal-mouth, and a corner was given to the Villa. It was well taken, and Green headed the ball through amidst great excitement.

It had been started again from the centre but a few minutes ere Accrington scored a second goal from a foul. Up to the interval the game was hotly contested, but no other points were obtained.

With the wind in their favour the Villa played much better, and kept the opposing backs and goalkeeper hard at work for some time, appearing certain to win.

Accrington, however, broke away, and, taking the Villa defence by surprise, captured the home citadel for the third time.

Time went on, and the Villa, although having the best of the play, could not score owing to the splendid defence of the “reds.”

The supporters of the home team began to look very glum, and regarded defeat as certain, but, when a victory seemed next to impossible, the Villa infused new spirit into their play, and Brown at once scored.

The success made the Villa forwards simply irresistible, and a few moments later, rushing with head-long impetuosity upon the Accrington goal, they carried it by assault, thus equalising matters.

There remained but a few minutes to play, but they sufficed to secure the home team a victory, Brown scoring the winning point amidst tremendous excitement.

Accrington : Horne, goal ; Stevenson and Singleton, backs;, Haworth, Tattersall, and Pemberton, half-backs; Lofthouse and Boner (right), Barbour (centre), Kirkham and Brand (left), forwards.

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