SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL MATCHES ASSOCIATION RULES. THE ENGLISH CUP. Had the weather proved favourable on Saturday four ties in the third and two in the fourth round of the competition for the Association Challenge Cup would have been decided, but a severe frost prevailed during Friday night, and only three of the contests were played. At Kennington Oval a splendid team of the Swifts went down before the Old Foresters much to the surprise of those present; and at Birmingham, West Bromwich Albion knocked out Mitchell’s St. George’s by the narrow margin of 1 goal to none. Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers, replayed their tie in the third round at Wolverhampton; but, as In their previous meeting at Birmingham, the two sides did not arrive at any definite issue. The great cup tie- Preston North End vs. Renton-fell through at Renton, owing to the state of the ground, but a friendly match between the two sides took place, and resulted in a draw - 3 goals each. Lincoln City and Gainsborough Trinity did not play at Lincoln, owing to recent disturbances, and the tie was ordered to be brought off at Sheffield next Saturday. At Hanley, Leek and Burslem Port Vale were to have met for the third time, but the state of the turf was such that the referee appointed did not consider play warrantable. THIRD ROUND, WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS V. ASTON VILLA. This important match was played on Saturday on the Dudley Road Ground, Wolverhampton. Almost feverish interest was centred on the match, since it was felt to be the crucial test of the comparative merits of the two teams. There were about 6,000 spectators on the ground of whom upwards of 1,000 were brought by special trains from Birmingham; while there was likewise a large Influx of visitors from Walsall, Wednesbury, and other outlying towns. Among those present were Mr. George Kynoch, M.P., and a party of friends, who land driven near from Hamstead Hall in a four-in-hand. Owing to the wretched state of the field both teams played under protest, a notice to that effect by A. Hunter being followed by one by Lowder, the secretary of the Wanderers. Notwithstanding the efforts during the past week to make the field playable by removing many hundred tons of snow, there was still a thin layer of ice over the ground, and attempts were made to mitigate the difficulty of playing by sprinkling ashes over the most dangerous parts. The weather likewise interfered with the play, since a bitterly told wind blowing diagonally across the field militated against one of the contending parties. Both teams showed excellent form, the Wanderers especially having undergone careful training at the hands of their professional trainer, Mr. Beaumont Shaw. Winning the toss, the Villa elected to play down hill, and punctual to time Brodie started the leather with a favourable wind, and led the way into the visitors’ territory. A run on the right wing was soon made by the Wanderers, but Knight sent the ball wide of the posts. A good pass was soon afterwards made by B. Griffiths to Wood: but, the latter slipping, Yates sent the leather to the Villa forwards, who, however, were met by Lowder, and the ball being run up the field, Brodie scored within eight minutes from the start, amid great cheering. The home team, who had been vigorously attacking their opponents’ stronghold, were now called upon to assume the defensive, and from a corner the Astonians made an attack on the Wanderers’ goal, which, however, was saved by J. Griffiths, who punted out grandly. The Wanderers again worked the leather up the field, but a corner kick by Wood was saved by Dawson, and the ball was returned into the middle of the field. Some undecided play now ensued, but eventually, the Astonians having worked up towards his opposition goal, Davis made a shot which went wide. After travelling up the field again the leather was returned, and a very dangerous shot was saved by Baugh. The visitors still pressed their opponents hard, and out of a very exciting scrimmage Albert Brown equalised the score by a splendid shot which eluded both Baugh and J. Griffiths. The Wanderers’ goal was now in a state of perpetual bombardment, and was only saved by the magnificent play of the backs. Eventually, from a corner placed by Davis, Brown sent In a splendid shot which sent over the bar. Some give-and-take play now ensued, the visitors playing with considerable caution, and making some splendid passes. The Wanderers, getting possession of the leather, soon afterwards worked down the field, and besieged their opponents’ citadel with much persistence. A shot went wide, and two or three made by Brodie were negatived by Coulton and Simmonds. The Wanderers’ goal in turn was pressed hard, and J. Griffiths was kept continually on the alert, several good shots having to be punted out In rapid succession. Carrying the leather up the field, the home team vigorously attacked the north end, and from a dangerous scrimmage the ball was returned, but was stopped by Lowder, from whose pass the Wanderers were able to make another point. Owing, however, to a foul in the middle of the field, the goal was disallowed, and on the whistle sounding the score stood equal. Thus far no difference was discernible in the strength of the two teams. Both played under great difficulties, the slippery ground and the brisk wind rendering accurate shooting almost impossible. Falls amongst the Wanderers occurred at the most critical moments, but the Astonians managed to keep their feet very fairly. This was due, on the Wanderers’ part, to the over eagerness which they displayed, most lamentable failures resulting from over-running the ball. On play being resumed the Astonians showed considerably improved form, and from the first assumed the aggressive. For a considerable time the Wanderers’ goal was in a state of perpetual siege, and H. Griffiths was compelled several times to fist out. Eventually Brodie got the ball away, and placed a corner, which, however, was unproductive. Archie Hunter then worked the leather into opposition territory, but a shot which resulted went wide. The play which followed round the Wanderers goal was very exciting; but the leather being carried to the Astonian stronghold was returned, and during its progress down the field T. Hunter was badly hurt in the stomach by a kick from the right wing. After a few minutes’ rest however he resumed play. The Wanderers’ goal was now vigorously attacked, and J. Griffiths had to display all his skill in maintaining his position intact. The play was now fast and exciting, and Brodie having got the ball away it was returned by Coulton and Yates. For some time the play in proximity to the Wanderers’ posts was very animated, and J. Griffiths had to punt out twice in succession. B. Allen did effective service, and the pressure on the goal was for a short time relieved. Returning again the Astonians once more exerted their strength in the aggressive, and a difficult shot was saved by J. Griffiths in a very creditable manner, the ball being knocked out after it had rebounded from the side posts to the cross bar. Several other shots ware sent in wide. The Wanderers for the greater part of the time were literally penned in, and it was only by the magnificent defence of their backs, Mason and Bough, and the skill and agility of J. Griffiths, that they were saved from a severe defeat. Mason, indeed, scarcely made a fruitless kick during the whole game. The Astonians displayed a cautious and scientific mode of aggression which at times completely puzzled their opponents, and their neat and accurate passes and effective combination tuns would have told well in the their favour under more advantageous circumstances. They were, however, unable to make an addition to the score and on the whistle sounding the came stood at one goal each. In view of such a a draw arrangements were made to play an extra half hour, in order, If possible, to definitely decide the game. The Wanderers having started the leather against the wind the Astonian goal was hard pressed, when the ball was returned, and each citadel was alternately menaced. A shot from a scrimmage was just saved by the Villa’s custodian, and the leather being returned there was some very fast play in the centre of the field, which resulted in the sphere again being sent into the visitors’ territory, and Warner had to punt out another shot. The Astonian goal was now energetically attacked, and the leather being returned to the centre of the field some very cautious play ensued, Coulton and Simmonds doing some very creditable work. Working down to the Wanderers’ goal, the leather was returned by Mason, and each end was alternately attacked, Brodie and A. Hunter playing with much caution. During the last quarter of an hour the excitement was intense. The Wanderers, with a determination to increase their score, attacked the opponents’ goal with much persistence, and a shot sent in was just saved by Yates. For a short time the Wanderers had to assume the defensive, but eventually they obtained a corner kick which, however, was not productive. The Astonian goal was now in a critical position, play being very exciting, and another fruitless corner kick was made. Back went the leather to the opposition ground, but Brodie brought it away, and just before the whistle sounded the ball was sent through the Astonian posts but owing to a foul the goal was disallowed. The game this ended in a draw - one goal each. Wolverhampton Wanderers; J. Griffiths, goal; Baugh and Mason, backs; Pearson, Allen and Lowder, half backs; T. Hunter and Knight, right wing; Brodie, centre; B. Griffiths and Wood, left. Aston Villa: Warner, goal; Coulton and Simmonds, backs; Yates, Burton and Dawson, half-backs; Davis and Albert Brown, right; Hunter, centre; Vaughton and Hodgetts, left. Messrs, Dallard and McGregor, umpires; Mr McIntyre, Manchester, referee