MAGNIFICENT VILLA became the first side to score 9 in a league game today 1888

 

MAGNIFICENT VILLA

Aston Villa 9 Notts County 1

Villa – Allen 3, Hunter 2, Green 2, Hodgetts, own goal)

County – own goal

These two teams met at Perry Barr to play off a League fixture. About 4,000 people were attracted to the ground by the probability of witnessing a close and exciting game. In this hope they were disappointed, for the game from the kick-off to the finish was most one-sided, the visitors being outplayed by the home team.

In the first half, Villa scored four times and in the second half scored five, the County only making a single point, obtained through a miss kick by Coulton.

Archie Hunter kicked off, and the Villa at once attacked, but were kept at bay by Tom McLean. They returned to the assault, and Hunter made a fine shot, which Holland, the goalkeeper, partially saved, but Allen, rushing in, drove the ball through the post five minutes after the start.

For some minutes, the County waged equal war with the home side, whose goal was attacked, but kept safe by Warner. The Villa then forced their opponents back, and had much the best of the play, making three more goals before half-time. Allen scored two of them and Hunter one.

After the changeover the Villa at once resumed the pressing, and McLean and Frank Gutteridge were busily employed in checking assaults.

Time was occupied by even play and then the County roused themselves and played a fine dashing game. England cricket international Bill Gunn [the Rory Delap of his day – see Gazetteer of Players] in particular made some splendid runs, and had he been better supported the County might have scored several times.

After a time, Harry Daft made a fine attempt to score, but the ball struck the crossbar and rebounded into play. Gunn pounced upon it and centred, Frank Coulton tried to kick the ball out, but it twisted through the goal.

The Villa now played with great determination and the County were powerless against them. Hodgetts headed a fifth goal from a corner-kick by Brown. This was followed in rapid succession by a sixth, scored by the last named player, a seventh and eighth, by Green, and a ninth scored by Hunter. The whistle was then blown and Villa was left victorious at 9 goals to 1.

(Report taken from Birmingham Daily Post, 1 October 1888)