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SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL.
LEAGUE MATCHES.
ASTON VILLA v. PRESTON NORTH END.

In fine but intensely cold weather the return match between these two clubs in the league competition was decided on Saturday, on the Aston Villa ground, at Perry Barr. There was, of course, an immense attendance, since the two clubs are undoubtedly at the head of the football organisations of the kingdom, and the fact that the Villa had played a drawn game at Preston appeared to thoroughly support the hope that on their own ground they might inflict the first defeat on the world-famous Lancashire team. There was, however, not so large an attendance nor nearly so much excitement as on the occasion of the memorable meeting between the two clubs last winter in the English cup competition.

The falling off was no doubt due partly to the cold, which made an hour and a half of compulsory stillness a slow torture, and partly to the fact that no definite stake depended upon the result of the game, since the place of the two clubs in the league competition was fixed, no matter how the match ended. The game was by no means a surprise to those who had been able to form an impartial view of the merits of the two teams, uninfluenced by natural and praiseworthy local enthusiasm. The Preston North End, of course, won, and on the whole won easily. The team has a curious knack of falling below its form on great occasions, but when it is at its best, in every quality of value in the game - in fastness, in cleverness, in soundness, and in capacity to stay- it is far and away the best team in the kingdom, and, indeed, the best team that ever stepped on to a football ground.

With the change of ends, however, what advantage there was in the favour of the wind went to the Villa but the Lancashire men On Saturday, during the first half, with the ground in their favour, but with the wind against them, the Villa men almost held their own against their formidable opponents. At half-time no goal had been scored by either side; and though the Preston team had had the best of the play, it was by no means impossible that with the wind behind them the Birmingham cracks might snatch a hard-earned victory. But these hopes were soon dashed to the ground. The Preston team played far better against the wind than with it. They forced the game at a tremendous pace, the whole string of forwards played superbly, the right wing especially showing magnificent speed and brilliancy, and the Villa, outpaced and outplayed, were soon a thoroughly beaten team.

A few minutes after the time fixed for the kick-off Hunter led his men into the field, and the Preston team quickly followed. The Villa captain having won the toss chose to defend the top goal. Goodall kicked off for the Prestonians, who had a strongish wind at their backs, but this was in some degree neutralised by the fact that the sun was shining in their faces. The ball was at once dribbled down by Allen, who crossed to Brown but Holmes proved too good for the Villa right-winger. The North End forwards endeavoured to break away, but were prevented, as were the Villa men in their next attempt, which quickly followed. Ross and Gordon, who were playing magnificently, dribbled close up to the Villa goal; but Archie Goodall tackled Ross successfully, and kicked the ball to his forwards, who were checked in their rush by the Prestonian half-backs.

The gains had been very fast, and little advantage gained by either side, but the North End forwards begin to play with all their old cunning and skill, and several dangerous attacks were made on the home team’s goal. These assaults came chiefly from the right wing, for although Burton played exceedingly pluckily, he was no match for the two forwards - Rose and Gordon - who were opposed to him. The two men mentioned are perhaps the finest right wing in the world, and the half-back who could successfully cope with them must be a good one indeed. But for the fine defence of Cox and Goodall the goal must have fallen. The latter is a fine back, for his judgment is perfect and his tackling unsurpassed. Time after time he beat the Prestonians at their own game - namely, trickery - and is certainly the best all-round player in the district.

To return to the game, however, the Villa forwards began to play with more dash, and carried the ball down the field. Hunter passed across goal, but Allen failed to get up in time, and a good chance of scoring was missed. Play was transferred to the Villa’s end, and Ross tried two shots, both of which were ill aimed. It was now the turn of the home team to attack, and Allen, obtaining an opening, tried a long shot. The ball only just went outside. So close was it that Mills Roberts tried to stop it, and the Villa appealed for a corner-kick on the ground that he touched the ball. The referee decided against the Villa. The North End Goodall ran the ball up the field, and was about to shoot when he was tackled by his namesake in the Villa and lost his chance.

A series of attacks followed upon the Villa goal, but the North End could not score. A grand run was then made by Gordon, who kicked the ball across the goal, but three of the North End forwards who were close up missed in turn the easy opportunity of scoring. The North End were having decidedly the best of the game, the wind materially assisting them. Two corners were given them, but they could make no use of either. For several minutes the attack was incessant, but it failed to break down the home team’s defence. The game again became more equal. The Villa forwards rushed towards the Preston goal, and Brown, running between Howarth and Holmes, sent in a grand shot. Mills Roberts caught the ball, but ere he could throw it away was rushed outside. The corner-kick was nicely placed; but Yates headed the ball outside. A few moments later Goodall, being hotly pressed, gave a corner to the visitors, but they were unable to score. The Villa left-wing men ran the ball down, and Hodgetts centred well. Green rushed up and shot for goal, but the ball, unfortunately, went just too high. It had scarcely been kicked from goal when the referee’s whistle announced that the first half was over.

The supporters of the home team were exceedingly well satisfied with the display given by their men, and there were not a few who whispered that the Villa, having the wind, would now win. The home team certainly did appear to stand a fair chance of winning, for their play had compared very favourably with that of their opponents. Unfortunately, however, the interval had a bad effect on the Villa. They relaxed their efforts, and in the first few minutes of the second half appeared content to let the North End do the playing. The Prestonian forwards commenced in a style which almost mesmerised the Villa men. The ball was passed backwards and forwards with marvellous precision and rapidity. The Villa players seemed unable to touch the ball, and at length that which everyone foresaw happened.

The ball was passed to Dewhurst, and he directed it with lightning speed into goal. Warner tried to stop it, but failed, and cheers announced that the North End had scored. Directly after the centre-kick had been taken Hodgetts obtained the ball and ran up the wing but made a wretched attempt to centre. The North End forwards were soon swarming round the Villa goal, but Thomson kicked out. Archie Goodall was then cheered for stopping an ugly rush of the Preston forwards whilst Hodgetts was jeered at for kicking the ball towards his own instead of the Preston goal. A moment or two later the same player and Allen missed the chance of the game. Brown and Green, the only two Villa forwards who showed any form, made a beautiful run, and Brown centred just into the mouth of the Preston goal. Hodgetts and Allen were there and nobody was at hand to prevent them scoring, but they allowed the ball to pass them without making any effort to put it through goal.

Another opportunity was given to Hodgetts just afterwards, but he headed the ball over the bar. The visitors tried their luck, and were more successful than their opponents. Thomson, who received the ball from Gordon, directed it into goal. Warner stopped it, but Dewhurst rushed up, and kicked it through. An appeal was made against the point, but the referee decided that it was a legitimate goal. One despairing try to score was made by the Villa, but Mills Roberts saved, and then the home team collapsed.

There is no gainsaying the fact that they were clean beaten at all points. Their forwards could not compare with the North End five. Hodgetts played wretchedly throughout the game, and will certainly have to improve, or he will lose his place in the team. Hunter was not up to form; in fact, the only two forwards who played decently were Brown and Green. The half-back play of the Villa was very good, but Barton was out-classed. The two best men in the Villa - in fact, there were not two better men on the field - were Goodall and Devey. The former surprised everyone by his good kicking and tackling; whilst Devey played well from start to finish and is at present one of the best half-backs in the district.

The game is not worth describing further. It was simply a case of North End first and Villa nowhere. The defence of the latter club saved further scoring, however, and when the whistle blew North End were the winners by 2 goals to none.

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

Preston North End: Dr. Mills Roberts, goal; Howarth and Holmes, backs; Drummond, Russell, and Graham, half-backs; Ross and Gordon (right wing), J. Goodall (centre), Dewhurst and Thomson (left wing) forwards.

Umpires, Messrs. A. H. Albut and Nuttall.

Referee, Mr. M. P. Betts (Old Harrovians).