NOTES ON SPORT.
The Football League

Aston Villa lost their match with Derby County by five goals to four, but the disappointment experienced by their followers over the reverse will be somewhat tempered by the sympathy which their misfortune is bound to create.

Nearly the whole time they had to play with only ten men, as Paton twisted his knee so badly in the first quarter of an hour that it will probably be some months before he will be able to play again, and they scored no fewer than seven goals against the County, three of which were disallowed.

As usual, Derby started at a breakneck pace, and in less than ten minutes the score was two goals to one.

When Paton broke down Cowan took the dual position of centre half and forward, and he played superbly.

All of the remaining legitimate points were scored by him, and the third-obtained just before half-time-was the result of a remarkably fine run, as he eluded four opponents and dribbled the ball clean through the Derby goal.

Afterwards the home team played up finely, and at one time were leading by five to three; but the Villa stuck pluckily and perseveringly to their work against the most trying odds, and succeeded in reducing the lead to one point.

Albert Brown scored two others, and Hodgetts one, and the team were anything but satisfied at the decisions given against them.

It was, perhaps, a little unfortunate that the same referee should have officiated as in the Everton match and it is quite a new thing for the Villa men to be such persistent poachers as to have three goals disallowed them.

Some of the decisions from a spectator's point of view were certainly a trifle curious.

Mr. Widdowson ought to thoroughly understand his business, and there is no question about his fairness and impartiality; but the Villa eleven are strongly of opinion that they won the match honestly and fairly, and that two at least of the points disallowed should have been put down to their credit.

The large number of goals scored points to one of two conclusions, either the goalkeepers were slightly out of form, or the men on either side accomplished some good shooting.

There is probably something to be said for both.

Neither Haddow nor Warner was seen at his best, and the Villa custodian was several times badly hampered, though two of the goals would have been saved on a more fortunate day.

Altogether luck was dead against the Villa.
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*Birmingham Daily Post*
Monday, 20 October 1890

DERBY COUNTY v. ASTON VILLA.

Played at Derby, in fine, warm weather, before 4,000 spectators.

Derby kicked against the wind and sun, but Bakewell scored in three minutes from the start.

Hodgetts immediately retaliated for the Villa, but three minutes later John Goodall added the second for the County. Play continued fast, and fairly even.

Twenty minutes after the start Paton got his knee hurt, and had to leave the field, and just afterwards the Villa equalised, Cowan scoring a rather soft goal.

The home side then pressed, and Warner cleverly saved shots from Bakewell and Maclachlan.

Laddow had also to save from Hodgetts.

From a free kick Archie Goodall sent the ball through without its being touched, and then corners were conceded at both ends without result.

John Goodall scored again with a splendid shot, and Derby continued to have somewhat the best of it: but just before half-time Cowan again scored.

Half-time score: Derby County 3 goals, Aston Villa 3 goals.

Immediately after the interval Derby scored out of a scrimmage.

Derby then pressed again, and a fine screw shot by Bakewell was well saved by Warner, another very good one from Goodall going just over the bar.

Hodgetts relieved, but on two occasions was given off-side, and with the home team coming again, John Goodall sent in a "daisy-cutter" which Warner returned; but Neilson and Holmes were well up, and together rushed the ball through, placing Derby two ahead.

Play was now more even, the Villa forwards making great efforts to rub off the arrears; but the Derby defence was better than usual.

However, Haddow muffling a long shot, Cowan got possession, and scored a fourth for the Villa.

Play slackened towards the finish, and no more goals were scored.

Result: Derby, 5 goals; Villa, 4 goals.