Scenes probably unprecedented on the Claremont Road ground occurred during Golders Green's meeting with Hayes on Saturday, and at one time two players came to grips. Golders Green were deserving winners, though weaknesses in the defence invited a reverse more than once.

In a fast game, punctuated with thrills, Golders Green beat Hayes to the tune of 4-2 in the Athenian League at Claremont Road on Saturday.

But a match which promised to be and could have been a thoroughly good one from all points of view, was spoilt by a series of incidents which almost led to blows. The referee was several times called upon to intervene between players and some surprise was felt that he did not adopt sterner measures.

Considering the heat of the day, the game was played at a remarkable pace, which was maintained practically until the end. Golders Green fully deserved their victory and might have increased their score if opportunities had been better taken, but they were in danger in the second half, when a sensational re-start reduced their lead to one.

There were no changes in the home team. Hill gave a grand performance in goal until he was badly shaken by a head injury in the second half of the game, after which the backs should have sheltered him better than they did. But the backs were a disappointment. Hayward, who may still be feeling the effects of his last season's accident to some extent, was definitely off form and W. Boston failed to stop some quite simple movements - possibly because he had to watch for Hayward's mistakes besides attending to his own work.

Bucci and Broadis were in their usual style, but J.W. Bloxham at right-half, appeared to be unhappy on the hard, fast ground and was too slow. D.C. Walker played well throughout the game at centre-forward and Snazel and Leahy formed a fine right wing, Leahy turning in many a perfect timed centre and Snazel - who scored one of the goals - partnered him well at all times and took a full share in the production of openings for Walker. J.H. Browne was sound without being spectacular, but the mystery man was F.S. Boston, at outside-left, who appeared to be lacking in speed and constructive work yet netted three of the goals.

Hayes had to re-organise their team through injuries and the claims of other matches. R. Thurston, centre-half, was playing for the Air Force and E. Jones (who comes from the P.O. Engineers and Southall) moved up from left-back to take his place. W.L. Hobbs, from the Reserves, came in at left-back. In the absence of T.L. Duhig, who was crocked, J. Hunter was moved to centre-forward. He played at outside-left for most of last season, but has proved himself a general utility player in the front line. W.G. Hills came up from the Reserves to fill the vacancy on the wing.

There was a lively start, Hayes breaking away on the right and getting the ball centred in front of goal, but W. Boston broke up the movement and a repeat performance ended with Hill cvoming out to claim the ball. Bucci secured and passed up to F.S. Boston, who waited too long before attempting to centre and the ball was lost. Hayes should have scored in the first three minutes. Trevor Jones sped away and carried the ball through for a shot which Hayward intercepted. Hunter gained possession, but fumbled over his shot and the ball was cleared for Broadis to pass out to Leahy. He swung it across to Browne who worked well with Walker to bring Day into action. Day cleared, but Leahy returned a lovely centre to Walker, who headed the ball to Snazel's feet, but the shot was cleared by Day as he fell.

Bucci was doing his full share, if not more, in helping the forwards into the visitors' ground, while Snazel was exhibiting some lovely touches, but Hayes threw off the pressure at last and a terrific burst of speed from Trevor Jones nearly gave them the first score. Danger came for Golders Green on the left when W. Boston miskicked badly, but he recovered and put the ball out of play.

At the other end again F. Boston took a brilliant pass from Bucci and sent in a cross shot which Day pushed over the top for a corner. It was a beautiful effort and deserving of success. Browne also tried a shot before Golders Green fell back and Hills found a weak spot in the defence. He might have tried a solo effort, but passed across to Wilkins, who sent the ball over the bar, losing a grand chance.

Golders Green were playing with far better method in attack than in defence and Leahy's trapping and passing were a joy to watch. Generally speaking, however, Golders Green needed to mark the men better.

It fell to F. BOSTON to open the scoring, but the honours were shared by Walker, who put in some neat work to prepare the ground.

The first of the unpleasant incidents occurred soon afterwards, when Walker, falling in part of the Hayes goal, sat on the ball. Day ran out and dived down to grab the ball. Precisely what followed it was difficult to appreciate in the scramble, but E. Jones was in the centre of a group of players when words occurred and two men appeared to come to grips, the referee darting in to separate them.

A second incident occurred when Boston was brought down unnecessarily and almost immediately afterwards a protest by Hayward against an apparent foul led to another disturbance in which the referee had to restore peace.

Hayes were becoming unpopular with the crowd - and with some reason, though it must be admitted that some provocation, if only verbal, was offered by certain Golders Green men.

SNAZEL was presented with a fine chance by Walker to put Golders Green two up and he made no mistake with his shot.

The referee had to intervene in another incident before the Hayes forwards came into the picture again. Hill was then forced to concede a corner which came to nothing and after Keen had shot without success, Walkerled Golders Green in another attack, but half-time arrived with the score still 2-0. Close on time the referee had a word with E. Jones.

Hayes made a quick re-start after the change-over, KEEN netting almost from the kick-off with a fast shot low down, which any goalkeeper would have done well to hold. The visitors were swinging the ball about well and displaying a keen accuracy in their passes, while Golders Green were not quick enough in tackling and the halves were inclinedc to neglect the wings. Good work was done in the centre, but Day was too ready for the shots. Bucci drove the ball through into the net, but offside had been blown.

A minute later, however, F. BOSTON pushed the ball in off Walker and restored to Golders Green their lead of two.

There were one or two further incidents and minor disturbances, during one of which the referee stopped the play and consulted a linesman, while the grandstand treated a Hayes man to a booing chorus.

Hill received a severe blow on the head in getting down to a low shot and showed himself badly shaken for the rest of the game, but he brought off some striking saves in spite of his condition. Walker was also injured and was off the field for a considerable time.

It was after Hill had run out to clear from Hunter that E. JONES scored their second goal before Hill could recover his position. The home backs were inclined to lie too far up the field at this stage and left too much to Hill.

At the other end Day saved from Walker and Snazel, but the game had degenerated into what was almost a rough and tumble at times and many promising movements on both sides fizzled out through overexcitement. Bucci was outstanding for his calmness under all circumstances and was often doing two men's work with cheerful efficiency.

At length a movement started on the right ended with a long pass over to F. BOSTON, who put in a clean shot to give Golders Green their fourth and the last goal of the match.