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SATURDAY'S FOOTBALL.
LEAGUE MATCHES.
ASTON VILLA V. WEST BROMWICH ALBION.

This important match was played at West Bromwich before some seven or eight thousand spectators.

A gallant struggle was anticipated, but the result only added another to the already somewhat numerous list of surprises in the football world this season, considering that only a few weeks have elapsed since the season legitimately commenced.

Last week Aston Villa succeeded by good and superior play in defeating the famous Preston North End by 5 goals 3, and, consequently, although their match with the Albion was not looked- upon as a certainty, the followers of the Perry Barr team, almost to man, predicted a victory for their side.

The Aston Villa have met the Albion on many occasions, and have occasionally come off victors, but never in the history the contests have the Villa been good enough or fortunate enough to win on the ground of their opponents.

At Stoney Lane the Albion are invincible against the attacks and combination of their worthy opponents. Saturday's match afforded justifiable reason for exultation the part of the West Bromwich men, and the victory was as popular as any home victory of the Albion has been.

Archie Hunter was absent from his side, Dickson playing in the centre, and Hodgetts making his reappearance with Gray on the wing.

In second half of the game there was a want of combination among the Villa forwards. Whether this was duo to Hunter's absence, or the superior attack of the Albion is a matter of opinion, but no one can for a moment begrudge home team their victory.

The home team, winning the toss, chose to play down the slope, and Dickson started the ball. Before the Villa had any chance of getting possession of the ball the Albion forwards had worked it up to their opponents' goal, and seemed determined of making a bold commencement. Wilson put a capital shot for goal, but the ball struck tho bar, and was quickly got away.

Tho Villa, adopting a pressing game, forced the ball up to the Albion goal and for a little while Roberta had an opportunity of displaying how well he can keep out dangerous shots. The game was transferred to the centre of the field, where the play was smart but very even.

Time after time either side attempted to force a run, but the defence was equal to the attack. At length the ball was got away by the Albion, and in succession Wilson and Bayliss tried to score, each shot being promptly and smartly returned by Warner.

Accurate shooting was greatly interfered with by the strong wind that prevailed; and consequently the corner kicks could not placed with any certainty. From a corner given by Warner, the home team looked like scoring, but from the scrimmage in front of goal Devey got tho ball away.

A good run on the part the Villa forwards looked promising, but the wind prevented Dickson from getting in a straight shot.

Play was for time a transferred to the other end, but with admirable determination the Villa again got possession, and faced Roberts's charge. Gray and Hodgetts worked well, but were unable score. Pearson and Wilson on the other side were also conspicuous, and the game proceeded at a fast rate.

Over thirty minutes of the time had expired without any score being made, when suddenly the Albion put on a grand spurt. Woodhall, with a long shot obtained a somewhat easy goal, and this thoroughly encouraged tho home team so that they raced away on the ball being restarted in capital form.

Warner was kept exceedingly busy, and stopped several dangerous shoes. A corner fell to the Albion, and out of the scrimmage which followed kick Wilson added tho second goal.

This made things look gloomy for the supporters of the Villa and many were the requests to “play up, Villa”. Endeavours were made to minimise the odds, but at halt-time the game stood —Albion 2 goals, Villa 0.

When game was resumed it was found that Timmins, who had been injured in the first half, was unable to play. This was looked upon a misfortune for the Albion, especially as they were facing »he hill in the second half.

The visitors were the first to lead the way, and made an attempt to defeat Roberts ; but that renowned custodian was always ready. A corner fell to the Villa and Allen put the ball over tho bar; and soon after a second corner was equally unproductive, although a good scrimmage took place before the pressure of the visitors was relieved.

Wilson got well away, and another sharp attack at the Villa goal followed. Shot after shot was sent in, but the goal-keeping of Warner and the stubbornness of the back defence prevented any score.

In one of the rushes for goal, Coulton came in contact with one of the Albion players, and was severely shaken so that he could not resume for a while, and when did he was compelled limp so much that his services were of little value, and ultimately he retired.

The Albion continued to press, and the Villa from this point fell completely away.

One or two attacks were made by the visitors' forwards, but the resistance they met with effectually nullified their efforts, and the game assumed an uninteresting character.

While the Perry Barr team seemed disorganised the Albion continued to press them, and, from a tine run by Bassett, Bayliss scored the third goal for the Albion.

No further score was added, and the game resulted in favour of the West Bromwich Albion by 3 goals to 0.