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SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL.
ASSOCIATION CUP TIES. FIRST ROUND

ASTON VILLA V. WITTON. - Any rational person would imagine that only the strong laws governing the decision of the ties in the English Cup, and a probable chance of success could have induced a team to travel from Lancashire in the weather of Saturday to meet renowned opponents in Birmingham. The weather was unfavourable from all points of view - rain, snow, and wind being its chief features. The common-sense of the Birmingham public was apparent in the small number that assembled to witness the tie between Aston Villa and Witton. The result in football circles was generally looked upon as a foregone conclusion; but the actual result somewhat condemned the judgment of many enthusiasts, notwithstanding that Aston Villa were the winners. Nothing need be said of the play, inasmuch as the wind interfered with the judgment of the players to such an extent that the unlooked for constantly took place.

The state of the ground, too, was wretched in the extreme long before the end of the game was reached. The visitors played down the hill for the first half, and had the advantage of the wind being at their backs. In consequence of this the uphill fight for the Villa was increased in severity. Time after time, when the bail was “skied,” it took an entirely different course to that intended by the player, and consequently there was very little interest in watching the progress of the game.

The most noticeable feature of the play was the success of the visitors in the first half, for although the Villa were the first to score through Allen, and obtained a second goal before half time, Witton managed to equalise the score and seemed to be as fresh and ready as their opponents.

With the change of ends, however, what advantage there was in the favour of the wind went to the Villa but the Lancashire men fought uphill with great stubbornness against good players and a piercing snowstorm. Early in the second half the Villa obtained a third goal, and, no further score being made, the game resulted in their favour by 3 goals to 2.

The visiting team may certainly be complimented on the plucky effort they made and the success they met with.

Villa: Warner goal; Cox and Coulton, backs; Barton, Devey, and Woollaston, half-backs~ Hodgetts, Allen, Hunter, Green, and Brown, forwards.

Witton: Sharples, goal; Smith and Shorrock, backs; Pickering, Alston, and Isherwood, half-backs; H. Smith, Rushton, Grimshaw, Horsfield, and Turner, forwards.

Umpires: Messrs. W. H. Stacey and M. Earlam Referee: Mr. C. J. Hughes.