Golders Green's defence shone in the Athenian League match at Leyton on Saturday, but the forward line was not up to expectations. Breagan was the weak link. Brown and Long, the inside men, worked hard, and F. Boston was thrustful, but Pinkham, at centre-forward, could not achieve much, though he was always a trier. The forwards were, of course, up against a heavy defence.

For the third match in succession, Golders Green held a fast and virile team to a goalless half-time, and opened the score after the change-over, but four minutes from the end Leyton equalised. Barlow had a lot of work to do and did it well.

The only change made was in the Leyton side, A.W. Newton having recovered from his recent injury to take over from F. Gibbs in goal.

Leyton set out to force an early score, and Barnes took a pass from Cameron to shoot close across the goal. Caswell cleared the ball to the other end, and Pinkham pushed it out to Breagan, but the pass went too far forward and Newton came out to pick up the ball. From his clearance, Leyton attacked strongly and Cameron got well away, centring at the right moment, but W. Boston cleared. Leyton came again, and Avery had a shot at goal. W. Boston again cleared, but immediately afterwards Barlow had to push the ball over the top from Barnes.

The corner was cleared and Golders Green made a quick raid on the right, but Leyton were soon pressing again and Avery came very near to success, but Graves got his head to the ball and saved the situation.

Golders Green gained ground through a free-kick, and F. Boston swung a long pass across to the right wing. Pinkham was out there at the moment, and he hooked the ball round, but it swerved behind the posts. It was a nice try.

Golders Green were working well individually, but the passing was not good. There was a good understanding between Graves and the backs, but this was not so evident in other departments. Davis was doing his best to keep the play forward, and Ward applied some nice touches.

F. Boston and Brown deserved a goal as a result of short passing which took them close in, but the final shot failed, and when Ward recovered the ball from the goal-kick and served Pinkham, the centre-forward shot too high.

At the other end Graves did well to stop Avery and Ward slipped back to head off Cameron, who looked very dangerous.

After a spell of pressure by Leyton, Golders Green gained a corner, which F. Boston tried unsuccessfully to convert. From a throw-in Ward got in a shot, but Newton had no difficulty in holding the ball.

Brown engineered an opening for F. Boston, who outstripped the defence and sent across a beautiful shot, but the ball screwed round behind the net. Then Long and Breagan forced a corner, and from Breagan's kick Brown headed over the bar.

A display of short passing between F. Boston and Brown took them through the defence and Boston drove the ball hard and low, but it scraped across the goalmouth and Leyton escaped by a couple of inches, for the shot would have beaten the goalkeeper.

Leyton were carrying out many dangerous raids, both wings working well, and it was a close shave for Golders Green when Evans broke through. Barlow ran out and bent down to grasp the ball. He lost it, and Caswell reached it just in time to clear. Next there was a spectacular breakaway by Cameron, who was not always watched closely enough. He tricked Graves, dodged round W. Boston and shot, shoulder high, but Barlow punched the ball out. Smith retrieved it, and the Leyton forwards were all round the goal, but three shots failed. Close on half-time Barlow saved from Avery and Smith.

Changing over with no score, Golders Green re-opened in dashing style, and within two minutes BREAGAN, unusually close in, took up a pass from Brown and shot well into the net, leaving Newton helpless. A glorious chance for another was missed by Pinkham as the ball went past him from a long centre pass, with the way clear to goal. Pinkham was trying hard generally, but this time he was found unprepared. Long, taking up a pass on the run from Brown, was unlucky to miss the mark.

Midway through this half Long was injured and had to leave the field twice for attention. For a short time he changed over with Breagan.

Handling by Brown gave Leyton a free-kick from just outside the penalty area, but Gentry failed to get a terrific drive through the solid line of defenders.

Golders Green were swinging the ball about better, and their chances of holding the lead, or adding to it, looked good, for although Leyton were always keen in their approach work, their marksmen did not excel. W. Boston played a sound game all the time, and hefty clearances by Caswell repeatedly put the play well into Leyton territory, but as the end drew near Leyton put all their energy into a final effort, and with four minutes to go AVERY slipped through, beating Graves, and netted to give Leyton a share in the points.

A tremendous pace had developed, and the closing minutes were exciting and marked by several minor injuries.