Speed and cunning of the Barnet players and lack of combination in the Golders Green side led to a heavy defeat for the home side at Claremont Road. Golders Green could not find their men with the ball, while the Barnet passing was always as sure as the ground conditions would allow.

There were changes in the Golders Green team. Barnes deputised in goal for Hart, who strained his shoulder on Christmas Day, and W. Boston was also absent through injury, Ward taking his place. Both gave a good display, but the new centre-half, Kingswell, was a disappointment. Bucci was not showing his best form, and Breagan found the Barnet defence too good. Ellison played a good game and scored grand goal.

Barnet made one change from the advertised team, Marcantonio taking the place of Aylott at left-half.

Barnet opened the score in the first five minutes, Fox and Kelleher beating the defence and Kelleher finishing off with a clean shot past Barnes as he came out to meet the ball. Martinson should have cleared the ball before.

Barnet, standing the conditions better than the Green, kept up the pressure, but they had an anxious moment when Holben had to fist the ball away following a corner by Boston.

After 15 minutes Golders Green showed better shape and Ellison equalised with a beautiful goal off Boston, but Barnet replied strongly and Weightman put them ahead again, heading in a corner by Finch. Golders Green nearly equalised again when, in a strong left-wing attack, Holben came out and missed the ball, but Hawkins kicked clear on the line. Then Griggs went near with a low shot, and a terrific drive by Boston narrowly missed the net.

Barnet were much faster than the Green, and though play had been fairly even it was not surprising when the visitors increased their lead, Kelleher netting from Fox.

Half-time arrived with Barnet leading by 3-1 and the tems crossed straight over. Golders Green began to press and Holben had to save from Ellison, but Barnet made many dangerous raids in which Fox and Kelleher did good work, and the home defence were hard-pressed at times. Eventuaally Finch got in with a splendid shot when Barnes was unsighted.

Golders Green played hard for a second goal, and there was plenty of individual cleverness, but teamwork was missing and they couuld not match the visitors in speed and ball control. Griggs, however, had hard luck with a header off one of Boston's centres, lifting the ball too high, and Breagan nearly beat Holben with a low shot on the run.

Both teams were obviously tired before the final whistle blew, though they had played only 35 minutes each way.