SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL.
LEAGUE MATCHES.

NOTTS V. ASTON VILLA - This return League fixture was decided at Trent Bridge, but there were only about 1,500 spectators, rain falling incessantly during the time that play was in progress.

The Villa were without three good men, while the Notts eleven, although it contained some capital men, was of a scratch character, the League team which has usually taken the field having gone to Staveley.

The Villa kicked off with a slight breeze in their favour, but Notts were the first to attack. Considering the heavy ground the contest was fairly fast, both goalkeepers having to handle.

Hunter sent in a grand shot which Widdowson did not get away and Brown shot through after a few minutes’ play only.

The game was fairly even, the Villans, if anything, having the best of matters, although the Notts forwards had not the best of luck. Cooper hitting the posts with a good effort. Both took corners, and from a right-wing attack Shaw centred, when Jardine equalised beautifully.

Half-time arrived with the score still level.

The visitors commenced the second half with a sustained attack, and after about a five minutes play Green put in a shot which Goodall converted into a goal.

Notts worked hard, and after Green had once raised the siege Shaw made a clever run. Warner ran out and charged him down, but Weightman easily shot the ball between the posts, the position being quite unprotected.

A foul close to the Notts goal gave the visitors an immense advantage but Notts broke away only to throw away a good chance in front of goal. Each position was assailed in turn, the Villa. notching a third point, Widdowson hitting a shot from Green through his own goal.

Notts pressed but shot weakly, while McLean severely harassed the Villa forwards. Still, after half an hour’s play, Goodall scored a fourth goal, the Villa winning by 4 goals to 2.

Notts played better than expected, but the Villa played a long way the most scientific game. A Brown was the best man on the field, although Cox, Devey, and Archie Goodall were very useful.

Notts: Widdowson, goal; Morley and Snook, backs; Brown, Dobson, and McLean, half-hacks; Cook and Shaw (right wing), Allen (centre), Weightmsn and Jardine (left wing).

Aston Villa: Warner, goal; Coulton and Cox, backs ; Wollaston, Devey and Burton, half-backs; Brown and Green (right wing) Hunter (centre), Goodall and Harrison (left wing).

Umpire Mr. Albut. Umpire, Mr. H. Shelton. Referee, Mr. W. H. Jope, Wednesbury.