Maidenhead's Surprise Victory

At York Road last Saturday Maidenhead United and Slough met in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup, the match being a re-play from the previous week, when fog stopped the game in the second half with Slough leading by a goal to nothing. This week, however, Slough were defeated by three goals to one, and their sequence of cup-tie wins over Maidenhead was thus broken.

For this game, Maidenhead made several team changes. J. Tubb was brought in at left-back, C. D. Care moving to the right; V. Blay was at left-half, and Deane and Charlton changed places in the front line, where Clarke came in at inside-left to the exclusion of A. Franklin. Slough made one change through RHon. Smith arriving late. W. Baldwin filled his place at inside-left and A, Grant came in at left-half. The crowd was slightly smaller than on the previous Saturday, roughly about 2,300 spectators being present, including Mr. T. Kyle (Chairman of the Berks and Bucks F.A.) The Bishop of Buckingham and the Rector of Slough (Rev. A. G. P. Baines) were again present. The amount taken in gate money was £79, as against £89 the week previous.

C. D. Care won the toss and Maidenhead kicked towards Bell Street. The first attack came from the locals, work by Clarke and Deane leading to a centre from Venables, but two fouls spoilt Maidenhead's chances. Slough got away on the right, offside relieving; and Maidenhead gained ground on the right, Venables centre leading to a scrimmage from which Peskett kicked clear. A pass from Norris saw Baldwin get clean through, but P. Care cleverly saved his shot and the ball was returned across the goal, Tubb clearing.

From a free-kick Grant put into the goalmouth, where P. Care cleared a header from Norris, while Tatton shot wide from Payne's pass. The Maidenhead left got into action, and Deane and Clarke were mixed up in a collision with Walker, Clarke having to leave the field for it few minutes.

Slough pressed hard, and from Glover's centre Grant sent in a hot shot, but P. Care safely fielded this. Norris shot wide from Tatton's pass and the former got offside when things were lively round the Maidnhead goal. Then the homesters rallied, and when Venables put the ball forward Peskett ran out and was penalised for carrying; from the free-kick, Hancock shot well, Peskett saving for a corner, which was relieved by a foul. At the other end Baldwin got clean through when C. Care slipped, but from an awkward angle he shot across the goal and the ball went by.

Up went the Maidenhead left, and a free kick from Bainton gave a possible chance to Clarke and Deane, but Payne was able to clear. Play continued even for a few minutes until from a centre by Glover, Tatton shot and hit an upright and from the re-bound Norris scored after 28 minutes' play. P. M. Care made no attempt to stop this goal, evidently thinking Norris was offside.

The next incident was a corner to Slough, but this was relieved by a foul, and after a spell of even play, Hancock booted the ball forward, and Walker promptly ballooned it. As it fell, Clarke put out to Marcham who ran on, and from about 25 yards sent in a low shot which beat Peskett all the way, equalising after 36 minutes' play.

More even play followed, with a long shot from Stewart which P. Care saved. Bainton kicked away, and a corner to Slough was put behind. Hancock made a valiant effort to get through the Slough defence, and noisily succumbed to Grant; and the intervall was signalled with the scores level.

On resuming, Grant and Baldwin changed places in the Slough team. Slough at once attacked, Norris shooting wide; a corner was forced off Hancock, and Patton shot wide from this. Maidenhead got away and looked dangerous till Marcham was given offside.

At this stage, Clarke was hurt again and left the field for a spell. A free-kick fell to Maidenhead, and Marcham placed the ball to Charlton, off whom it went by. Slough dashed off on the left, and Springell passed in to Grant, who shot over and then Maidenhead took the lead.

Charlton set Venables off and the latter sent in a shot which Peskett caught, but while he held the ball Marcham dashed up and kicked it from the custodian's hands into the net, seven minutes from the resumption.

On re-starting, Marcham tried another long shot, but this went wide. Slough made a strong raid on the home goal in their attempt to get on level terms, and from Glover and Norris, Grant had an opening, but his shot went just over the bar, Norris also narrowly missed following some clever passing on the Slough left. A breakaway by Clarke and Marcham was cleverly checked by McConnell, who just afterwards slipped and let in Venables; the winger ran on and centred at the right moment for Deane to beat Peskett with a ground shot from about a dozen yards' range, 15 minutes from the interval.

The visitors made a determined attack on the Bell-street goal, with the result that a shot from Patton hit an upright, and a corner was given off P. Care, which Glover sent behind.

Maidenhead replied in equally strong fashion, and Walker was to the fore in stopping the rush; but just after, Peskett "muffed" his shot from Blay, clearing at the second attempt.

A fine rally by Slough first led to a corner, which was fruitless; then Norris spoilt Tatton's work by getting offside, and some clever passing between Springett, Norris and Grant saw a shot from the latter go over.

Another corner to Slough produced a fine shot from Payne which P. Care cleverly turned over the bar; Hancock cleared the corner-kick, but "hands" against C. Care looked dangerous till Blay cleared.

At the canal end, a free-kick close in was put wide by Marcham. P. Care made a splendid save at close quarters from Grant, following right-wing work, while C. Care cleverly checked Norris as the latter was working through the defense. Time found Maidenhead worthy winners by 3 goals to 1.