SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL.
ENGLISH CUP TIES. THIRD ROUND

BLACKBURN ROVERS v. ASTON VILLA. This tie was looked forward to with great interest both in the Midlands and in Lancashire, as former matches between the two clubs have, in the majority of instances, been productive of close and exciting contests. A notable feature in connection with the match under notice was the fact that this was the first occasion on which the Aston Villa and the Blackburn Rovers had met in an Association Cup tie. As everybody knows, the Rovers, as triple winners of the cup, have the best record in connection with this trophy possessed by any existing team, and many years are likely to pass before their achievement is surpassed or even equalled. The numerous accidents which have befallen the Villa team during the last fortnight seemed to have shaken the confidence shown by their adherents when the draw was made, and at the eleventh hour it was felt that in going to Blackburn the Birmingham men were journeying to certain defeat. That this feeling had widely spread was evidenced by the sparse number who travelled north by the special trip from the hardware city, and one would have imagined, to judge by the forlorn and anxious looks of the majority of the passengers, that they were about to assist at a function of the most funereal character, instead of an exciting game of football. Special trips were also run from all the districts adjacent to Blackburn, and at the time appointed for the kick-off quite 10,000 spectators lined the rails. The home team were loudly cheered as they came on the field, but undoubtedly the heartiest reception was accorded to the Villa, who were received with deafening cheers. The Rovers looked in splendid trim, but the Perry Barr men, with a few exceptions, looked decidedly stale, and presented the appearance of being overtrained.

The ground was in good condition, although rather slippery round the goals. It was obvious in the first five minutes of the game that the Villa were a beaten team, but few were prepared for the disasters which followed. The Rovers evidently knowing the difficulties some of the Villa men were in, went off at a cracking pace; and this policy had the desired effect, for in less an half an hour both Hunter’s and Yates’s legs gave way, Green began limping, and Burton was severely kicked, but quite accidentally. The Villa captain was a pitiable sight, but pluckily remained with his team until the finish.

Such particulars of the game as are necessary will be found detailed below, but it may be at once said that the match was a complete farce, and a more miserable exposition of football than that shown by the Villa has seldom been seen; in fact, we doubt if they have ever played so badly before, and they thoroughly deserved the sound thrashing they received. A word of commendation must be given, however, to the Villa goalkeeper, who played magnificently, and but for Warner a record score would have been made. Cox, although far from well, played a very strong defensive game, Coulton’s substitute - Thomas - giving him but little assistance. Of the others, Devey deserves credit, as after Hunter had broken down he put in some rare work.

The play of the Rovers was a treat, the team displaying splendid combination all round, and none seemed more surprised than themselves at the ignominious breakdown of the Birmingham team. The match was fought out in the best spirit, being quite free from the slightest symptom of rough play, and the Rovers are to be congratulated upon their brilliant and well-deserved victory.

The home team, having won the toss, decided to play towards the Leamington Street end, with a very slight breeze in their favour. Hunter kicked off shortly after three o’clock, and John Southworth at once ran into the Villa quarters, and from his pass Haresnape put in a hot shot, Warner having to concede a corner-kick, which was cleared; but from a foul by the Villa the ball went to Townley, who put in a fine high shot, Warner just throwing over the bar before he was rushed through.

From the corner-kick Haresnape shot wide, but the Rovers still kept up the attack, and innumerable shots were made at the Villa goal, Warner having a warm time of it. The pressure was relieved for a short time, as Allen got away into the Rovers’ half, Green spoiling a good chance by getting offside.

Walton and Haresnape then ran down, and Warner punched out a good shot while surrounded by the Rovers’ forwards; but it was claimed that the ball was over the line when fisted out, and the referee allowed a goaL

From the centre-kick the ball was rushed up by the Rovers’ right wing, and shots were put in by Walton, Douglas, and Almond. The Villa were penned in for nearly a quarter of an hour, but eventually Hodgetts and Allen got away, the latter making a rare mess of a good chance.

Again the Rovers returned to the attack, and Haresnape missed a somewhat easy chance. Directly afterwards, however, from a fine combined run by the whole of the Rovers’ forwards, he made amends by scoring the second goal with a beautiful oblique shot.

From the spot-kick the ball was at once taken away to the Villa quarters, and spasmodic attempts were made by the Birmingham men to get into the home teams half; but the Rovers came back again, and after several shots had been saved John Southworth shot a third goal.

From the centre-kick the ball was again quickly rushed to the Villa end, and after two corners had been cleared Green fouled, but Warner saved. The Villa backs then had a few moments breathing time, as Hodgetts got away, but Allen shot behind. A foul by Devey was well placed by Forbes, and after a, few mid-field exchanges Allen ran to the Rovers’ end, and again shot wide.

The home team returned to the attack, but Thomas saved and the Villa forced Forbes to give a corner, which was cleared, and Walton and Haresnape got away, Cox being compelled to give a corner. Try as they would the Villa backs could not clear their goal, and two more corners were conceded. A foul by the Rovers gave the Villa a little relief, but of course they were soon again hard pressed, and Fecitt spoilt a certain chance by getting off-side.

The game then became quiet for a time, wild play being indulged in by both sides, but eventually the Rovers’ forwards returned and had a little more practice round the Villa goal, Forrest being cheered for smart half- back play.

Brown, Green, and Hodgetts essayed a run, but the Rovers’ forwards, passing splendidly, brought the ball back, and shots were saved by Warner from Walton, Almond, and Fecitt. Several corners were conceded, and the Villa goal was being warmly besieged when the whistle blew for half-time.

On changing ends the Rovers, immediately the bail was started, ran down, and, after Warner had saved twice, Haresnape put in a fast low shot, which struck Cox’s heel and went through the goal.

After a short incursion by the Villa into the Rovers’ territory Townley made a fine run, and from some pretty passing Fecitt shot across the Villa goal, and Haresnape rushing up, the ball was put through for the fifth time.

In no way disheartened by the heavy score being piled up against them, the Villa right wing broke away, Hodgetts spoiling a very good chance by shooting over the bar. A foul gave the Villa yet another chance, and from a mis- kick by, Forbes a corner was given. Some even play followed, but the Rovers’ forwards were soon busy again, Warner defending superbly. Hodgetts was then conspicuous for a neat run, but was pulled up by Forbes.

The Villa then got another chance from a foul, but the opportunity was lost; and then the Rovers’ forwards put in a magnificent run, the passing being beautifully judged. Close in Fecitt shot across goal, and, as before, from a well-time rush by Haresnape, the Villa goal fell for the sixth time.

From the centre kick the Villa got away, and after Arthur had saved a shot by Allen, Douglas gave a corner, which was headed over. The game now became very tame, and after a good run by Brown, Green, and Allen, the home team again got away, Warner saving a tremendous shot by Townley. Green was then cheered for some plucky play, but the ball went outside.

At this point the Villa were playing better than at any other period of the game, but Hunter’s weakness prevented him from assisting the forwards, and, with no centre forward, the combination in the front rank was very faulty.

After the Villa had pressed for a short time Hunter shot wide, and then from a foul to the Rovers the downfall of the Villa goal seemed imminent, but Cox finely saved two successive shots. The goal was at length cleared, and from some good passing between Yates, Brown, and, Hunter, Allen got the ball, and outrunning the Rovers’ backs scored the first goal for the Villa, Arthur failing to hold a very fast shot. Offside was claimed by the Rovers, but the referee allowed the point.

The home team again put on heavy pressure, and from a, fast run by the whole of the forwards John Southworth put in a terrific shot, which Warner failed to hold and the ball went through.

From the centre-kick the Villa again ran up, and a corner was conceded, but the ball was headed outside. From the goal-kick John Southworth secured the ball, and running right through the Villa backs shot the eighth goal for his side.

The Villa now pressed the Rovers very hard, and, after a good run and shot by Brown, four corners were conceded in succession. The goal was at length cleared, and Townley got away, but just as the Rovers’ forwards were getting dangerous the whistle sounded, the Villa being thus defeated by 8 goals to 1 - the most crushing defeat they have ever experienced in a cup tie.

Blackburn Rovers: Arthur, goal; James Southworth and Forbes, backs; Douglas, Almond, and Forrest, half-backs; Haresnape and Walton (right wing), John Southworth (centre), Fecittt and Townley (left wing), forwards.

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

Umpires, Messrs. Wilkinson and Gosson. Referee, Mr. Clegg.