SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL
LEAGUE MATCHES.

DERBY COUNTY V. ASTON VILLA - The return League engagement between these clubs was contested at Derby. Neither club was fully represented, Derby being without Bakewell and Fergusson, and the visitors without Hunter, Green, Coulton, and Yates.

The visitors won the toss, and kicked with the sun and wind at their backs. Not long had elapsed when the Villa secured a corner, but it was unproductive. Hodgetts not many minutes after put in a hot shot, but it was stoped by Morley.

From a foul Smith shot in nicely, Warner just saving, and then Plackett put the ball over the bar. Two shots, one by Devey and another by Hodgetts, were saved, and a couple more splendid saves were directly afterwards made by the home goalkeeper.

The Villa centre next shaved the posts; but they were not to be denied, for a shot by Allen went through. The County appealed on the grounds that the ball did not pass through the posts, but the referee allowed the goal.

The home team then played vigorously, and after the Villa custodian had shown some excellent defence Higgins equalised for the home team with a splendid shot. Pitman had then to handle, after which Allen shot over, and after some warm work in front of the Villa goal the visitors’ forward got away, and Brown having put the ball in, Allen scored easily. When half-time was called the score stood - Villa 2, Derby 1.

Not long after the resumption Cooper equalised with a low shot, and not many minutes bad elapsed before Lees centred and Higgins scored again. From now to the finish the game was vigorously contested. and the ball travelled from one end to the other with considerable rapidity. The Villa, however, played somewhat disappointingly, being evidently disheartened by an accident to Hodgetts, who received a terrible blow in the face in a collision with Smith. They were not able to score during the second half, and the match ended in favour of Derby by 5 to 2.

Derby: Pitman, goal; Latham and Morley, backs; Williamson, Smith, and Rowlston, half-backs; Lees and H. Plackett (right wing), Higgins (centre), Cooper and L. Plackett (left wing), forwards.

Aston Villa: Warner, goal; Goodall and Cox, backs; Woollaston, Devey, and Burton, half- backs; Brown and Garvey (right wing), Hodgetts (centre), Allen and Harrison (left wing), forwards.