ASSOCIATION CUP.
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE CLUB v. ASTON VlLLA.

Great interest was attached to the meeting between these clubs in the third round of the above competition. In the preceding ties, while the Villa eleven had enjoyed an easy win over the Notts Foresters, the Nottinghamshire Club had inflicted one of the most decisive defeats ever recorded in these contests over the Wednesbury Strollers, who occupy a prominent position among the clubs of the Birmingham district.

A fairly reliable line was deduced from the recent performances of the two teams, and as on public form, there was little to choose between them, a large company, computed at quite seven thousand persons, found their way to the Villa ground at Birmingham, to be rewarded, as was generally expected, with a most interesting game.

Play was fixed to begin at 2.30, but, owing to the late arrival of some of the home team, it was three o'clock before a start was made.

Aston Villa, who had lost the toss, kicking off, with a slight wind at their backs. Whateley did not arrive to help the Birmingham team until a few minutes after the start ; but the Nottingham backs had to bear the brunt of the first rushes, and for a few minutes the Villa had rather the best of the game.

Pulling themselves together, the Nottingham forwards were in turn the aggressors, and H. Cursham, after a fast run on the left, middling to Bausor, the latter was able to secure the first point for the visitors, just ten minutes after the kick off.

On the resumption, some neat passing was shown by the home forwards, particularly by Brown, Davis, and Whateley, and Jessop had some trouble to keep his charge intact, Vaughton on one occasion getting very near his post.

Making the best use of their superior weight, the Nottingham forwards for a time were able to maintain a hold in the opposite half, and Clarke, who kept goal for the Villa in place of Copley, saved his side cleverly.

A fast run by Davis changed the scene to Nottingham lines, and two corner kicks fell to the home team without result. Still, the ball was kept close to the visitors' line, and Davis, getting a favourable opening, sent it smartly through the post just under the cross-bar.

Some vigorous play now ensued and each side had in turn a momentary advantage, A. W. Cursham doing the lion's share of the work forward for Nottingham, while Brown, Vaughton, and Whateley were always at work for the opposite side.

Whateley on one occasion had an excellent chance of securing another point for the Villa, and soon afterwards Hunter failed to utilise a favourable opportunity.

H. A. Cursham, on the other hand, with his brother A. W., more than once seriously threatened the Villa lines, but the home players were showing a slight superiority, and, after an unsuccessful corner kick by Brown, Whateley was instrumental in giving the Villa their second point, Moore helping the ball through his own posts.

A vigorous rush by the home forwards followed the kick off, and a desperate scrimmage ensued close to the Nottingham posts, which, after a great effort, ended in favour of the defending side.

For a time the fight raged in the vicinity of the visitors' stronghold; but at last H. A. Cursham broke away, and half time arrived with the Birmingham eleven one goal to the good.

The change of ends gave the visitors the double advantage of wind and hill, but the Villa were the first to make any decided advantage, and another goal was claimed by Brown, but disallowed for off side.

Maintaining their positions, the Villa forwards gave the enemy's backs a great deal of trouble, till at last A. W. Cursham, after a neat run, middling to Bausor, the latter was a second time enabled to plant the ball safely in the centre of the Aston goal.

During the rest of the game the visitors were able to claim a slight superiority, but the unwearying defence of the home backs enabled them to resist all attacks, and, at the end of an hour and half, the result was a tie, each side having obtained two goals.

Though it was very dark, the two elevens. in compliance with the rules, agreed to continue play for an extra half hour; but this proved to be unproductive of points to either side, and consequently honours were divided.

A. W. Cursham did most of the work forward for Notts; and, among the backs Dobson was next useful, his face being very noticeable.

For the Villa, Brown, Vaughton and Whateley were the next prominent forwards; and Simmons and Pank at back.