SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL MATCHES
ASSOCIATION RULES.
ENGLISH CUP TIES-SECOND ROUND.

ASTON VILLA V. DERBY COUNTY - These teams met at Perry Barr.

There was only a moderate attendance of spectators. The ground was very soft and slippery, and rendered accurate passing and kicking a difficult matter.

The visitors won the toss, and played downhill with the wind behind them. Hunter kicked off, and the County at once pressed, Warner having to save a hard shot sent into goal by Higgins. A moment or two after the County again attacked, and Williamson tried to score, but shot the ball over the bar.

From the goal-kick the Villa worked their way up the field, and the forwards, playing with better combination than they have done for some time past, all but scored, a shot from Allen causing Pitman, the goalkeeper, to go down on his knees to save.

Not to be denied, the Villa again attacked, and a shot by Hunter took effect ten minutes from the commencement. The County equalised in a few minutes, a shot sent in by L. Cooper beating Warner.

The game at this point increased in speed, for the County men, encouraged by their success, played up with might and main. Their efforts were at length rewarded with success, L. Cooper again scoring.

The Villa, however, responded with spirit, and despite the fact that the wind was against them, had the best of the game. They gained several corner-kicks, and from one of them Hunter equalised matters. The game was well contested up to half-time, but no further goals were made by either side.

On changing ends, the Villa, having now the advantage of the wind, had matters pretty much their own way. They penned the visitors in, and but for the grand goalkeeping of Pitman would have scored several times. He kept his goal intact for about ten minutes, but the strain was too much, and at length, from a free kick by Yates, Hodgetts headed the third goal.

The Villa continued to press, but the goal was so splendidly defended that it withstood the assault. Pitman was twice hurt during the game, which was stopped until he recovered.

Whilst the Villa men were congregated around the County’s goal the ball was kicked up the field, and the forwards obtaining it ran up to the Villa’s goal, and Plackett scored, thus making the game equal for the third time.

The possibility of a draw aroused the Villa men, who played with great dash, and put the ball through the County’s goal three times in ten minutes. One point was, however, disallowed on the plea of a previous foul, and the match ended in a victory for the Villa by 5 goals to 3.

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

Derby County; Pitman, goal; Morley and Ferguson, backs, Williamson, Latham and Rowlston, half-backs; Bakewell and Needham (right wing), Higgins (centre), Cooper and Plackett (left wing), forwards.

Umpires, Messrs. T. C. Slaney and J. Cooper;
Referee, Mr. C. A. Darley (Blackburn).