Slough Through In Cup

Slough were again drawn against Reading Amateurs in the qualifying round of the English Cup. On this occasion, however, the Reading side had the choice of ground, but they forewent this for a monetary consideration, and consequently the game was played at the Dolphin ground on Saturday afternoon.

The conditions were ideal, and everything pointed to a good contest. Although the crowd was not so big as might have been expected a fairly large number of spectators paid for admission – about £14 being taken at the gate.

Slough played as advertised, but the Amateurs made one or two changes, Gettins being an absentee. At 3.15 the teams were lined up by Mr H. Woollett, the homesters defending the Uxbridge Road end goal. At the start Reading attacked, and Wilkins was applauded for fine defensive work.

Tilly, too, saved a hotshot from London. For the first quarter of an hour visitors had the best of the exchanges, but at the end of that period Slough put on pressure. Ivall sent the leather forward, and Denton banged in a low swift shot which fairly beats the burly custodian, this success being hailed with delight by the home supporters.

Reading made a big effort to get on even terms, and from a pass by Dadswell, Stillman put in a magnificent shot, which Tilly saved splendidly, sending the globe over in the direction of the corner flag.

Ivall was responsible for some clever head work in the centre. Again Reading attacked and Wilkins conceded a fruitless corner. For a while the homesters assumed command and some good footwork between Roberts and Prior ended in the latter centring well. On the opposite wing Corbett, who had been kept idle, got in a smart run and centre at Denton shot wide.

There was an anxious moment for Slough when Stillman got through for the Berks side. He put in a brilliant shot but Tilly was equal to the occasion and turned the leather over the bar amidst loud applause.

A second corner fell to the lot of Reading, but like its predecessor proved abortive. Corbett exhibited a bit of his old-style and with a clinking run down the left and centre, which Dakin met sent out of danger.

The game continued fast and Reading tried hard to get even terms and would probably have succeeded but for the stubborn defence offered by Tilly, Wilkins and Ivall. Just before half-time a third corner fell to Reading though it bought no definite result and at half-time the score was Slough one goal, Reading Amateurs nil.

After a brief rest Reading started strongly and Lunn put in a hotshot full up following good footwork in the front line Stillman lost a glorious opportunity to equalise. He was right in front of goal but in his anxiety to get out of reach of the custodian pushed the leather outside the post.

A moment later Tilly saved a beauty. At the other end Corbett sent over to prior when pressed, though the latter failed to get in a straight one. The visitors were not to be denied and following a sharp attack Stanley registered a fine goal six minutes after the exchange of territory.

Both sides worked hard for mastery from this point, and Reading were awarded a couple of corners, which brought no success. Corbett got the best of the deal in a struggle with Day and Stanley, and sent the leather outer Ivall. The latter transferred it to Andrews who without the loss of a second, directed a lovely shot at West which found a billet inside the net.

This success again bought a furore from the onlookers, but the cheering was nothing to that which burst from the Slough supporters five minutes later when Ivall sent the leather between the goal posts. It was a ripping shot and West quite misjudged its onward flight.

Victory now seems pretty assured, but less than five minutes elapsed before the lead was reduced, as during pressure Young handled the sphere within the penalty area, and Lunn sent it into the net from the free kick.

After this the result was a mere open question, for the Amateurs were most determined in their efforts to make a draw. Slough's defence, however, prevailed, and when the final whistle sounded mighty shout announced that the homesters had won by three goals to two.