SATURDAY'S FOOTBALL.
THE LEAGUE.

WEST BROMWICH ALBION V. ASTON VILLA

A League match between the above teams was played at Perry Barr, and proved as great an attraction as ever, about 8,000 persons being present.

A good match had all along been anticipated, but it was thought that the Villa would win.

This anticipation, however, was completely upset, for the West Bromwich were by far the better eleven, and won handsomely by 4 goals to 0.

With the exception of during the first few minutes they played the superior game, being much faster and passing better than their opponents, whose forwards, taken as a whole, exhibited very indifferent form. They were, in fact, all at sea, and the combination was wretched, whilst the shooting was even worse.

Indeed, the Villa forwards have rarely made a worse display; whilst the Albion, on the other hand, never, perhaps, played a better game even in their best days.

Vigorous is the term that would describe their play in front of goal, and they made the most of every opportunity.

Burns, the Leyton man, played very finely, and is a valuable acquisition to the team; whilst Bassett, Bayliss, and Pearson were also very good. The half-backs and backs did well, whilst Reader on Saturday was as good as Roberts.

With the exception of their backs and Devey and Cowan, the Villa played badly, and, in fact, their display was poor; they were weaker than their opponents, and thoroughly deserved their thrashing.

The Albion won the toss, and Dickson therefore kicked off towards the top goal.

Play was uninteresting during the first few minutes, but then Dickson ran through beautifully and passed to McKnight, who, however, centred outside.

Bassett then got clear away on the right wing, but was stopped by the whistle, and the free kick enabled the Villa to make a second attack, but a couple of good centres were not utilised.

Marshall was applauded for a good shot which was stopped by Reader, and directly afterwards the Villa goal became the scene of the fight. The attack was very vigorous, and Warner saved a couple of fine shots, one from Burns and the other from Pearson.

The game continued to be fought fiercely, and at length Bayliss had a straight run for goal. Warner, however, ran out and met the ball, which rebounded over the bar.

The corner-kick was splendidly taken, and Dyer scored whilst Warner was lying on the ground with two of the Albion forwards on him.

Encouraged by their success the Albion forwards played splendidly, and a fine shot by Burns was only just saved by Warner, who managed to turn the ball round the posts.

The corner-kick was productive of an exciting tussle, but the Villa cleared their lines, and, playing better, did their share of attacking.

Campbell made a good shot, which was well stopped by Reader; and then Dickson had a try to head the ball through, but aimed badly.

The pressure was continued, and another corner-kick followed, but Cowan shot the ball over the bar.

The left-wing men then made a capital run, and Campbell centred right across goaL Devey dashed up and tried to equalise, but the ball glanced over the bar.

Then Marshall tried, but met with no better success.

The Albion made many attempts to break away, but were pulled up time after time by Evans.

At length, however, Bassett dribbled clear and centred beautifully. Warner made an endeavour to reach the ball, but Bayliss was there before him, and cheers announced the Albion's second success.

The West Bromwich men now played by far the better game, being quicker on the ball and passing with better judgment than their opponents.

Bassett compelled Clarkson to concede a third corner-kick, but C. Perry shot over.

Burns was next conspicuous for a fine run and shot, but Warner saved well.

Campbell was cheered for a similar performance, and half-time then intervened, the Albion being two goals in front.

The commencement of the second half witnessed the maintenance of the Albion's superiority, for they at once attacked, and Pearson, with a grand shot, scored a third goal, Warner not having the slightest possible chance to stop the ball.

The Villa left-wing men were responsible for some pretty play, but it came to nought, and then the Albion had the hardest of luck in not scoring, for Bassett finished a splendid run by a beautiful centre, which came to Burns, whose shot, however, hit the upright, or a fourth goal must have followed.

Then the Villa pressed, and Dickson, through delaying, missed a fine chance of scoring.

The Albion forwards, who were playing a very fine game, and whose passing excited a great deal of admiration, once more went to the attack, and Bassett centring finely gave Burns another chance, but Warner was too quick for him and successfully cleared his goal.

The Villa were now playing a losing game, and shots at their goal were of common occurrence.

After being heavily pressed for about ten minutes the Villa raised the siege and ran the ball close up to goal, but McKnight shot over the bar. Several other shots were made, but they were very weak and were easily stopped by Reader, and then the Albion once more attacked.

They played with that rush which was formerly characteristic of their attack, and completely took the Villa by surprise. Bassett again centred well, and Burns was, as usual, well up and put on the fourth goal for the visitors amidst the enthusiastic cheers of the West Bromwich portion of the crowd.

A few minutes only remained to be played, and the Villa made a despairing effort to score, but proved incapable of breaking the defence, and when the whistle blew the Albion were left the winners by 4 goals to 0.