VILLA 1 EVERTON 1 (Game 328)
January 15 1900. The Liverpool Mercury
The return engagement between these clubs took placed at Villa Park on Saturday, where there was a crowd of some 16,000 spectators. The Everton team was under the sole charge of Mr.Molyneux, and was represented by exactly the same eleven that defeated Newcastle United on the previous Saturday. Devey and Evans were absentees on the side of the Villa, and at 2-45 the sides turned out as follows: -Everton: – Muir, goal Eccles, and Balmer, backs, Wolstenholmes, Blyth, and Abbott, halfbacks, Sharp, Taylor (captain), Proudfoot, Settle, and Gray forwards. Aston Villa: – George, goal, Spencer, and Crabtree, backs, Noon Cowan, and Wilkes, halfbacks Athersmith, Johnson, Garrity, Wheldon and Smith forwards. The ground had been liberally sprinkled with sand, but was still on the heavy side, and the Villa having won the toss, had the assistance’s of a slight breeze. The Villa opened well, and a swinging shot from Athersmith looked like taking effect when Wolstenholmes had the better of a tussle with Garrity and cleared. Settle and gray were then conspicuous by smart play but falling back, Johnson dispossessed the former player, and racing on finishing up with but a poor shot. At the other end, Everton forwards were putting in several fine touches of play, but their efforts only brought about a couple of fruitless corner kicks. A splendid sprint by Smith-the Villa left winger- was the next item, and it looked odds on Garrity converting his centre, when Eccles met the shot, luckily tipping it over the bar. So far play was evenly contested, both sets of backs being kept fully employed. Eventually Proudfoot led on a movement which Settle and Gray improved upon, and repassing the ball was placed accuralty to Taylor who gave George no chance of saving the shot. This success was loudly cheered, and on play being resumed the pace became very hot. Several determined raids were made by the Villa front rank, but they held in check by Balmer and Eccles. Wheldon however missed a fine chance in scoring by wide shooting, and at the other end of the line Athersmith was also at fault with a poor centre. Meanwhile the Everton forwards had quite as much of the play, which so far as their tactics were concerted was greatly admired. Nothing further however was scored, upto the interval, when Everton led by a goal to nil. On resuming, Sharp sent in a beautiful shot, which first missed entering the corner of the net and for some few minutes the Everton van were hovering round the home goal. Settle on one occasion threated his way through the backs only to place the ball too far forward than taking his shot. Several spirited attacks by the Villa were ably dealt with, and general play ruled in favour of the visitors. The forwards at times toyed with the home halves, only to meet with resistance from Spencer and had they not fallen back to play a defensive game 15 minutes from the finish they might have finally secured better results. A determined raid and a pass from the Villa left wing enabled Athersmith to head through. Result Everton 1 goal, Aston Villa nil.