St. Albans City 4 Slough 4
Saturday 14th March
Five minutes after the interval of their Herts and Middlesex League match with Slough at Clarence Park , on Saturday, the Citizens enjoyed a three-clear-goal lead and, with the advantage of the slope, appeared well set for a comfortable victory, but then Slough, although handicapped by an injury to Simpson, their left-winger, made is grand recovery and, scoring four times in quick succession, forged ahead. St. Albans, however, fought back to equalise, and a draw was a fitting result to a well-contested game which produced much good football and was fought out in a splendid spirit of sportsmanship.
St. Albans were without Burke and McCoy, Cunnington turning out at the last minute in borrowed boots to complete the team. Slough, who were short of C. Hewitt, their leading marksman, displayed the better combination in the first half, and a two-nil interval lead was distinctly flattering to the Citizens. Slough's approach work was good and they shot well, only to be foiled by the Citizens' defensive play. which was excellent in the first half, and some splendid goalkeeping by Powell, who effected many smart saves.
The Citizens had a number of scoring chances in the first half. Most fell to Jones, who had several clear runs for goal because Woodhams could not judge the big kicks of Cook and Powell, but the centre-forward, while showing a remarkable turn of speed, did not possess sufficient ball control to take advantage of those opportunities.
Kirkham, who was seldom happy at inside-left, paved the way to the Citizens' first goal scored after twenty-one minutes' play. His long cross pass put Saunders away, and the outside-right neatly made an opening for ROBINSON to sore with a fast, well-placed ground shot. The second goal was obtained seven minutes before the interval. St. Albans were awarded a free-kick two yards outside the penalty-area. It was taken by Cook, whose shot was charged down by defenders lined up in front of the goal, but COOK, following up, regained possession of the ball to score with a terrific drive.
Three minutes after the interval, a delightful bout of passing, in which Crossley, Pipe and Kirkham participated, enabled JONES to increase the Citizens lead from close range. Then came Slough's revival, in which INGRAM, a scheming inside-left, played a big part. First, he drew St. Albans' defenders in a tangle and then ran into position to take a pass from Simpson so that he bad only to touch the ball past Powell.
For a period the Citizens' backs and wing halves, who appeared to tire rapidly, had a bad patch, but Hall broke up many attacks' and Powell effected a series of brilliant saves. Twenty minutes after the interval he was beaten again. A hot onslaught on the Slough right produced a hectic melee around St. Albans' goal. The Citizens' defenders could not get the ball away, and finally GREEN netted with a low shot.
Within a minute Slough had equalised. This goal was also the result of a neat movement on the right wing, and when Farr centred accurately St. Albans' defence was spread-eagled and MOORE had only Powell to pass. Thirty minutes after the interval, Slough forged ahead. Farr outpaced Cook and centred fur INGRAM to find the net with a clever header.
Kirkham moved to left half-back, with Crossley at right half, and that effected some improvement in St. Albans' ranks. They quickly got on terms. Robinson put Saunders away, the outside-right lilted the ball across the goalmouth and PIPE, throwing himself at full length, got his head to it to score. It was a ding-dong struggle to the end. St. Albans made big efforts to regain the lead, but Slough defenders held out, with Gilson, very promising young right-back, distinguishing himself with strong tackling and clean kicking.
St. Albans; H.F. Powell; J. Reid, E. Cook; E. Cunnington, L. Hall. H. Crossley; W. Saunders, T. Robinson. E. Jones, S. Kirkham, B. Pipe.
Slough: Wakefield; Gilson, Chick; Williams, Woodhams, Green; Farr, Brown, Moore, Ingram, Simpson.
Referee: Mr. G. T. Alston (Edgware).