Goom Hat-Trick Secures Norfolks Win

For the fourth time this season these teams met, the game, which was played at the Dolphin ground, being in the great Western Suburban league competition.

Slough had to take the field with only nine men, Fountain and Stevens failing to turn up or intimate to the secretary that they could not play. After waiting some time Patterson and Holloway were pressed into service to make up the full complement.

Owing to the late start only 35 minutes each way was played. The Norfolkians also had to absentees from the advertised team, Wright (goal) and Brooks (centre forward), taking the place of Adams and Drummond. Gyngell, who was injured against Marlow the previous Saturday, was a spectator.

The ground was very hard owing to the frost, and doubts were entertained by many as to whether play would be possible. The homesters started off with three forwards, but shortly after Patterson arrived. Directly after the commencement Wheeler cantered down the wing, and had only Werrell between him and the goal. The custodian, however, judged his time, and frustrated Wheeler's intention.

Leat essayed a run, but did not get very far, and the Norfolkians returned to the attack. A long shot came from the right wing, and Whiteman, in clearing, nearly turned the leather into his own goal, and Werrell was just in time to save the situation.

Poole and Leat worked the globe up the field and nearly the top end the latter sent across to Wright. A clever centre came from Wright's foot and Poole dashed in and banged in a clinking shot, which the Maidenhead custodian turned around the upright, but the consequent corner kick availed nothing

The Slough defenders having safely negotiated a corner, Patterson enabled Denton to test Wright with a beauty, the latter proved equal to the occasion. A dashing run and centre by Wheeler went near to ending in a goal but luckily for Slough the leather sped straight across the target and passed outside, Fountain and Brooks quite missing it.

After 14 minutes play Goom opened the scoring for the Norfolkians. He received a pass from Fountain, and without a moments hesitation sent it flying into the net without giving Werrell an earthly chance.

At this point Holloway joined the home side. Hardly had to minute elapsed when Goom repeated his performance in an exactly similar way, as giving the visitors the lead of 2-0.

Then the Slough forwards galloped away, and from a pass by Patterson, Wright tried a splendid drive which went a few inches wide of the mark. After this the play became dull, which was hardly to be wondered at from the state of the ground, which made it hard work.

Once the three inside men for the Norfolk's made a combined rush for the Slough goal, but Wilmot was successful in checking the effort and at half-time the score sheet was 2-0 in favour of the Berks team.

On resuming, Werrell rearranged his side, Denton going inside to Holloway, and Purrett and Whiteman changing places, but this did not have the desired effect.

After about 10 minutes play Whiteman was beaten by Brooks, who ran the leather up and centred, and once again the vectoring Goom dashed up and put in a shot struck the crossbar and turned inside, thus making the record 3-0 in the visitors favour.

Then Slough had a look in, and a sharp tussle ensued in front of the Maidonians goal, and when the ball emerged Whiteman banged in a fine shot. Subsequently the Norfolk's gained a corner which was splendidly placed, and Hancock, with a long shot, scored a fourth goal for his side.

Shortly after, at the opposite end, Patterson shot high over the bar when standing Welwyn. Just before the end Goom made a smart effort to get through, but was beaten on the post when he looked like scoring.

From a pass by right, Whiteman made a capital effort to reduce the lead with a hotshot which the goalkeeper saved, and the result was a win for the Norfolkians by four goals to nil.