DERBY COUNTY V. ASTON VILLA. SPLENDID GAME. DERBY VICTORIOUS. The meeting of these teams has been the sole topic of conversation in football circles thought the county, and as the day drew nigh for the big tussle, the interest increased in magnitude until we venture to remark it had reached its highest pitch, and the heavily laden specials and ordinary trains that kept rolling into the Midland Railway town was positive proof of the gate being a record one as far as Derby Baseball Ground was concerned. The constitution of the Derby team was left over until the morning of the contest, and it was with a feeling of regret that their crack International, Bloomer, was obliged be a spectator through the injury fortnight ago, whilst it was rumoured that Archie Goodall would likely be an absentee. These reports were quite discouraging to the ardent supporters of the Rams, who had counted upon a repetition of the result a week ago, as mentioned in these columns on a former occasion. The recruit, Handley, was also ineligible through having participated in the earlier rounds of the competition with his former club. Both elevens had been making special preparations for the game, the County recuperating their energies at Matlock and the Brums being at Buxton, and both sides were trained to the hour, and looked fit as the proverbial fiddle. A great game was anticipated, and in this particular no one who saw this match could possibly be disappointed. There was, as usual, numerous complaints respecting the price paid for admission, but the money did not evidently make any alteration to the attendance, which was one of the best the County have ever had. Hours before the game was advertised to take place there was stream of people wending their way to the enclosure to obtain the best seats. For the visiting side Devey was an absentee, and on Derby’s side the right wing players were absent, i.e.. Bloomer and Handley, so that the County could not be said to have a representative side, but despite this fact the sequel proved they were determined lot, and after an hour and a half’s play were declared the victors by a goal to love. Referee Barker having examined the goal nets. Derby came out about two minutes before the advertised time; there would an assemblage of 25,000 spectators, and a continuous stream of faces were seen pouring in. The Villa were not long ere they faced, and a mighty roar went up from the thousands of throats that had made the journey to see their pets reverse the verdict of a week ago. It was only just half-past two when the Villa, who had won the toss, decided on kicking into the Town end, a slight breeze blowing in their favour. Almost immediately the game was commenced the Villa left was down in the Derby end, and, unfortunately, Methuen missed his kick. Smith banging the object into the centre, where Fryer, dashing out, saved in splendid fashion, whilst a second visitation by Smith and his colleague was luckily freed by Leiper. Derby tried a breakaway, but Paul was easily robbed, and Athersmith, on the right, bounded into Derby quarters, shooting neatly to Sharp, who sent terrific one at A. Goodall, which rebounded into mid-field. A little later Crabtree shot over the Derby upright in close quarters, and the Derby supporters appealed to their men to play up. A temporary dash by M‘Queen and Stevenson, in which the latter passed to Maconnochie, saw Cowan easily dispossess him, and amidst ironical cheers and ones of “Where’s the Little Marvel?” the Villa were again in the vicinity of Fryer, but Leiper cleared finely. A foul against the Villa for holding proved resultless, after which Athersmith made a brilliant run and centre which ended in the Villa gaining a comer. The place-kick was well put in but Cox relieved. More pressure by the Brums saw Fryer clear from a ruck of Villa players, and Smith was bounding away again when he collided with Methven, and Leiper was disabled. The game was stopped for a few minutes, but after receiving the trainer’s attention, he was able to resume. The first item subsequently was a foul against Jimmy Owen, but this did not improve Derby’s position, the Villa were doing some very clever passing and appeared certain to score until Archie Goodall pulled Sharp up. Then the County’s right wing received, Goodall and his confrere dashed to the Villa end where Whitehouse cleared by a timely punt. Derby soon returned to the attack, and John Goodall got through the opposition only to be pulled up for offside. Twice Evans stopped Paul finely, and the referee gave a foul against the latter for charging when he had got rid of the object. More pressure from Derby saw Goodall, M’Queen and Maconnochie by concerted action, close in the Villa goal, and Maconnochie was given the object finely by Goodall, but amidst groans he allowed the chance to go begging. The play was now very even, and after Smith had sent to Sharp, who shot over, Janes Cowan let fly, and skimmed the side of the net. Derby again took the running, and Stevenson, Maconnochie, and M’Queen, passing beautifully, were soon at the other end, and just as M‘Queen was about to shoot, the referee’s whistle blew for offside. A foul for Derby was entrusted to Archie Goodall. and that player sent the object into the net, but as it had not touched anyone, the game was continued. Very pretty work by the Villa was applauded, but Archie Goodall intervened in the nick of time, and cleared. Methuen was now disabled, having apparently been winded. He resumed in a couple of minutes, after which Derby’s goal underwent a couple of narrow squeaks, one shot being miraculously saved by Fryer, and the next was cleverly hooked out by Archie. Smith, on the Villa side, was hurt by Paul, but after being examined the trainer, he resumed, and his return was signalised by Wheldon shooting over the County’s goal. A stampede at the other end saw and Maconnochie busy round the Villa goal, and it looked pounds to peas on the little ’un soaring, but he passed to John Goodall who could not reach the object ere J. Cowan was able to relieve. Maconnochie hit Bowman with a beauty just on half time, and the teams crossed over - Derby County, 0: Aston Villa. 0. On the game being restarted the Villa had a temporary incursion to the Derby end, but Methuen relieved easily, and the County transferred the play to the opposite side, where Maconnochie appeared to have glorious a opportunity, which he allowed to slip. A corner to the Villa was forced by Athersmith, but was unproductive, and a dashing run by Goodall, Paul, and M'Queen took the ball well into the Villa territory, and Whitehouse, being close to Goodall, the veteran passed unselfishly to M’Queen, who had no difficulty in beating the Villa custodian and shooting into the net. This point was scored in 6 min. from the start, and was received with roars of applause, and hats, and umbrellas, and sticks were hurled in the air and the utmost excitement prevailed. Hardly had the ball been centred ere theDerbyshire were once more swarming round Whitehouse, and from a fine bit of finessing Maconnochie shot into the net. The referee's whistle sounded almost simultaneously for off side, John Goodall being the offender. More pressing by Derby was brought to bear by Leiper. who from the half-line sent in a long dropping one which should have been turned into account. A stampede to the other end saw Turner give a corner, but this shared the same fate as its predecessors, and Methuen freed with a huge lunge. Again Derby led the way. Paul and J. Goodall being conspicuous, but the latter passed to Stevenson, who was neatly robbed by Crabtree. At this juncture Derby applied the pressure to a very uncomfortable extent for the Villa, and once Whitehouse ran out to meet Paul and Maconnochie. He just managed to arrive a yard in advance and cleared. At this period a sensational piece of play was witnessed, as Fryer partially cleared, but the object went bang into J. Sharp and rebounded at the back of the Derby custodian, who had rushed out a few yards, and Athersmith and Methuen dashed for the object, the Derby men just freeing amidst excitement. The play was again transferred by Derby, and J. Goodall and his partner, Paul, rushed to Whitehouse, the latter sending to Maconnochie who was robbed in the last stride by Bowman. The game was exceedingly fast and the ball travelled with great rapidity from end end, and the Villa had hard lines in not scoring, but the chief credit of relief was due to Leiper. who fairly eclipsed himself, whilst a corner to the Villa, although well placed, was with difficulty got rid of, and soon afterwards Fryer saved grandly from Sharp whilst, surrounded by a host of players, a splendid stop Methuen was applauded, and then Whitehouse was soon stopping shots little Mac and Johnny. Cox was hurt in the chest, and the ball was thrown up after he rallied. The Villa were striving as if for dear life to notch a point, and amidst the cries of “Play up Derby!”, the home birds renewed their attack, and M’Queen sent in a scorcher into the corner of the goal, but, amidst excitement, Whitehouse cleared. The effort was deserving of success, as it was probably the best shot of the day. Continuing to play a ding dong sort of game, John Goodall got into close quarters, and would have scored, but dallying too long, he was robbed, and the object travelled to the other end in rapid fashion. Fryer just tipping a long shot of Crabtree's over the bar, whilst Athersmith got in a delightful centre, which went begging. Derby pressed and when the whistle blew the ball was in the Villa half, Derby being victorious one goal to Aston Villa none.