It was almost a miracle that the Redhill goal remained intact at Golders Green in Saturday's Athenian League game. Most of the time Golders Green were attacking, and for considerable spells they were all round the Redhill goal. Even the backs were up within scoring distance. But the forwards had an off-day so far as marksmanship was concerned, and such shots as did reach S.R. Smith, the Redhill goalkeeper, were without much power.

There was a feeling that one goal for Golders Green would have changed events, but the " taster " did not come, and after leading by one at the interval, Redhill finished with two goals and full points, though on their own ground early in Jan uary they were bedaten 3-0 by Golders Green.

The visitors played J.H. Roberts at centre-forward this time, Faggetter moving to the inside-left position, which was occupied by Marlow at the previous meeting. H. Creswick was down to play at outside-right, but J. Shepherd turned out instead.

There were changes in the Golders Green team since the previous week. J. Bloxham was fit again and came in at right-half, Breagan moving up to inside-right and Walker playing at inside-left.

Redhill won the toss and chose to play against the wind, giving Golders Green an advantage which was expected to bring results which did not materialise. Golders Green made ground from the kick-off, but F. Boston, who was sent away by Walker, failed to get his centre round and the ball went behind the line. Redhill made an unsuccessful attack on the right, but Walker received the ball from Bucci and started a movement which led to Boston shooting, but the ball stopped in a mud patch in front of goal and no one followed up. Broadis stopped a run by Pratt, and W. Boston robbed Faggetter, placing the ball forward to Walker, who passed to F. Boston, but Smith held the winger's shot. Breagan also had a go at the goal, and Graves struck the post. Smith cleared a header from Graves before Redhill got moving. Then Faggetter made a fine effort, but struck the crossbar, and the ball was cleared away to the Golders Green forwards again. Boston and Walker put up a neat bit of combined play, and a well-placed centre was presented to Graves, but the slippery ground let him down and a sparkling chance was lost.

Next F. Boston drove above the crossbar, but the worst of the lost opportunities occurred when Walker, taking a centre from Graves right in front of goal, hesitated and lost the ball.

Leahy was not well served on the right wing, but turned in a fine centre when given a share in the game, and from one of these Graves headed into Smith's hands. Roberts and Faggetter tried to lead a Redhill attack, but were stopped by Broadis and Bloxham, the former passing well forward for Leahy to beat Colwell and drop a centre to Graves, but Smith scrambled the ball away with Graves and Walker upon him. Breagan put through a weak shot which gave Smith no trouble.

The Redhill left wing made several attempts to break away, but brought off nothing particularly dangerous until Pratt forced a corne off Barlow with a neat cross-shot. This produced no result, and Golders Green were soon around the Redhill goal again, Smith saving from Graves, Walker, Breagan and Bucci.

F. Boston shot too high, and from the goal-kick Redhill made their first successful breakaway, FAGGETTER scoring after Barlow had fallen in clearing from Roberts.

For the rest of the first half Golders Green strove hard to equalise, but were concentrating too much on the left wing, Leahy being almost entirely forgotten.

The second half opened sensationally. Walker shot at close range and Smith reached the ball, but dropped it. The ball fell apparently on the line, and the whole field stood still for a moment, half-believing the equaliser had been scored, but the referee pointed for a goal-kick. Golders Green continued to have most of the play, but suffered from over-anxiousness. Passing was not sound and shots were directed straight at the goalkeeper - unless they went altogether wide. F. Boston had many shots, but mostly missed the mark. Smith punched out from a free-kick by Broadis, and when Bucci was presented with a simple shot he lifted the ball over.

At the other end Cooper forced a corner, well placed by Shepherd, but Faggetter headed wide of the posts.

Boston, Leahy and Bucci brought fresh hope for Golders Green, but the two wingers missed, and Smith cleared from Bucci. Soon afterwards Smith was called upon by Leahy, Graves and Bucci in rapid succession, but dealt with all the shots safely. F. Boston hit the side of the net, then Bucci ran through well but failed to beat Smith. In the closing stages Smith was kept very busy, but luck was certainly with him and his charge.

With five minutes to go, Barlow was drawn out of the posts by a shot from Cooper, and ROBERTS seized the chance to give Redhill their second goal.

Golders Green replied strongly, but again the attack ended with F. Boston driving wide. Very soon afterwards he did better, shooting close across the goalmouth, but time came with no change in the score.

Caswell played a good game for Golders Green.