Eggie returns to goaIscoring form

EGGIE JAMES ended his goal famine in the Berger Isthmian League, Premier Division on Saturday, when he scored both Slough Town goals in their win over championship rivals Bromley at Wexham Park.

Before this match, James had last scored in the league on September 28 when he netted against Leytonstone/llford. However he made amends for his recent poor form in front of goal with two headed goals to take his tally for the season to 10 and give the Rebels three vital points in a highly entertaining match.

Bromley contributed considerably to a fine match of fast flowing attacking football and nearly rocked the Rebels with a late comeback, which had Slough defending desperately in the last five minutes to prevent an equaliser.

Slough were without injured players Pat Morrissey and Vic Akers while Dave Russell had still not fully recovered from the flu. However Dave Yerby was fit to return at full-back and Bruce Poynter was substitute.

The first 20 minutes were dominated by Slough, with the Bromley defence looking extremely shaky under pressure especially goalkeeper Malcolm Broadway. Twice Micky Kiely went close, before at the other end Butch Dunn volleyed just over following a cross from Crould.

Then after 29 minutes James scored the first of his two goals. A Terry Reardon free kick finally found Eric Young wide on the left. The big central defender beat a Bromley player before crossing for James to head past a flat footed Broadway for a superbly worked goal. This goal seemed to spur Bromley into action and for the remainder of the first half the Slough goal came under considerable pressure.

Junior Crooks, the impressive Bromley striker, caused the Rebels' defence several anxious moments with his impressive strong running and after 40 minutes only a fine save from Richard Teale foiled him. However it was Slough who had the best chance to score, again, four minutes before the break.

A cross from Keith White was headed on by James to Micky O'Sullivan, 10 yards from goal and unmarked. However he hit the ball first time and it flew well wide of the target.

Slough made a great start to the second half when within ten minutes they had gone further ahead. A corner from Reardon on the left was firmly headed past Broadway by James, as he came running in.
At this stage it looked a question of how many further goals the Rebels would score. Twice White went desperately close and a chip shot from Barry Friend was just pushed over the bar by Broadway.

The Bromley defenders also went close to presenting Slough with an early Christmas present on several occasions with some highly dangerous and spectacular back passing. After 31 minutes a splendid turn and shot by White from 25 yards brought the best out of Broadway and then one minute later O'Sullivan failed to score with only the 'keeper to beat, after he had eluded the offside trap.

However just as Slough looked to be coasting home to three points they were hit by a late Bromley comeback. A quickly taken free-kick caught Slough out and the ball finally reached Crooks who turned and shot past Teale, with three minutes remaining.

Slough replied at the opposite end with a cross from Friend which saw James’ header cleared off the line. Then in a frantic flurry of action Teale did well to save a tremendous low drive from Brown after the Slough defence had failed to clear a Bromley attack effectively.

At the end Slough were well worth their three points in a highly entertaining match to which both sides contributed with their own brand of attacking football.

For Slough, White who seems to be growing in confidence with each match had another superb game while it was good to see James back on the score sheet and looking a lot more eager and lively than in recent performances.