SATURDAY'S FOOTBALL THE LEAGUE. ASTON VILLA v. NOTTS. These old opponents met under the auspices of the League at Trent Bridge in the presence of about seven thousand spectators. The Notts supporters are rarely enthusiastic followers of the team when they are not in the winning vein, and but for a strong contingent of Birmingham sportsmen, who travelled to Nottingham to the extent of 700, the gate would have been still more meagre. The new man in the [Notts] team, Walker, is an amateur, who has been playing with the Oxford University eleven, and who is an old Shrewsbury School man. Notts won the toss, and choosing to play with the wind, Devey started the ball for the visitors. Notts held the upper hand at the first, and Oswald had a good shot, while Walkerdine centred behind the posts. A minute later the Villa left wing got to work, and L. Campbell ran down very smartly, but McLean managed to get the ball away. A bad miss by Baird let Notts in, and Walkerdine had a clear run for goal, but he passed foolishly when he had it completely at his mercy. Notts then scrimmaged the ball past Hinchley, but the whistle had sounded for a previous foul, and the point was nullified. A magnificent shot by Oswald hit the bar, but the corner it produced came to nothing. Oswald then shot, and, although Hinchley fisted out, Daft met the ball and scored a fine goal for Notts. Athersmith, however, raced down, and the result of a fine-effort was that he beat Toone, and made matters level. A penalty kick was next awarded the Villa for foul play by Bramley, but Toone saved marvellously. Notts again attacked sharply, and after Hinchley saved nicely on one occasion Datt scored a second goal. The Villa had hard lines at the other end, and shouId certainly have gained a point, but Devey missed a good chance. A wretched mistake made by Athersmith, who centred across the mouth of his own goal, simply made Notts a present of a third point, for the ball struck the crossbar, and Oswald drove it through from the rebound. Toone a little later took the ball right off Hodgetts toe. This was a very brilliant save. Walkerdine, when in a certain position for scoring, wasr then given off-side, while Athersmith ruined a capital run by centring behind the posts. Half-time arrived with Notts leading by 3 goals to 1. On recommencing Notts again had far more of the game than the Villa, and the latter's goal had several narrow escapes, Calderhead and Oswald both missing fairly easy chances of scoring. At the opposite end Devey made a fine effort to retrieve the fortunes of his side, but Toone displayed his usual amount of resource. Then the Notts forwards came back again, and McInnes should certainly have added to the Notts total. A magnificent centre by Daft was cleverly taken in hand by Hinchley, who saved when quite hemmed in by hostile players. The Villa were now completely pressed, Notts keeping them closely packed in their own goal; and had it not been for the wonderful defence of the visitors the County must have piled on a big score. Numerous corners fell to the attacking side, but twenty minutes elapsed before Daft added a fourth point. Elated with this success, the Notts forwards played harder than ever, and a brilliant piece of work by Walkerdine produced another goal. This smart young forward rushed right through the Villa backs, and although Hinchley fisted out his shot, Oswald came up and easily completed the task. A short stoppage then ensued, owing to G. Campbell being injured, but he soon resumed. The Villa tried to face a big total against them with equanimity, and a capital effort by their forwards was successful in registering a second goal for them. The visiting forwards now played much better, and a fine shot by Cowan just missed the upright, and lodged in the goal net. Nothing more was done, and Notts won easily by 5 goals to 2. . --- *The Sporting Life* Monday 04 January 1892 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY v. ASTON VILLA. This return match was played the Old Trent Ground, at Nottingham, on Saturday afternoon, before upwards of 6,000 spectators. The 'Villains” have always been favourites with the Nottinghamshire public, and on Saturday they were accorded a cordial reception. In the first game, played at Perry Barr, the local team won five goals to one; and in this, the return engagement, they suffered defeat five goals to two. They had their strongest available eleven, and were accompanied by a strong contingent supporters. Notts won the toss, and kicked with the wind, which favoured the Gamsten Road goal. The local forwards at once attacked. and Walkerdine scored, though to only have the point disallowed. Presently Daft registered the first legitimate goal in easy fashion, and a minute later Athersmith equalised. The Villains were next favoured with a penalty kick, but the Notts custodian succeeded in turning the shot (taken by Hodgetts) round the upright. Notts then took a strong lead, and as goals were put on by Daft and Oswald, the County at the interval led three goals to one. In the second portion the visitors had the wind, and showed up well, although Toone was rarely called upon to handle. After twenty minutes' play Daft registered a fourth goal, and Devey scored brilliant one for the Villa. Towards the close Walkerdine beat Hinchley with a long, lofty shot, and the end the County team triumphed by five goals to two.