Golders Green adapted themselves to the shocking conditions under which their Athenian League match at home to Romford was played on Saturday, and their re-arranged team proved more than a match for the visitors[, winning by 3 goals to 1]. Driving rain soaked the ground and made visibility bad, while a high wind interfered with ball control, but Golders Green appeared to enjoy the hard going and gave about the best display of teamwork they have produced this season. The forwards were nippy and resourceful, the halves functioned well in defence and attack, and the backs were in good form, while Barlow, between the posts, gave a grand performance. There was some criticism of his letting though the one goal for Romford, but it must be remembered that this was the first match of the season in which a slippery ball had to be dealt with.

J.W. Bloxham returned to the Golders Green team at right-half, and B. Weaver deputised at centre-half for Broadis, who received a knock in the Civil Service match on the Wednesday. W. Stovell was entrusted with the centre-forward position, which he occupied with credit, and owing to F.S. Boston being unable to turn out, A.J. Breagan was included on the left wing. He was completely impervious to bad weather - indeed, he appeared to enjoy it - and he sent in many thoughtful centres which led to Carter, in the Romford goal, having plenty to do.

In the Romford team, C.C. Blott was absent, and his place was taken b y E. Managhan. D. Small, who played at left-bacvk, has been giving a good account of himself with the reserves.

Romford's halves proved quite unequal to the home forward line, and for considerable stretches Golders Green were pressing around their goal.

Play opened with Golders Green kicking with the wind. Romford tried an early raid in the centre without success, and Bloxham robbed Thomas, getting the ball up to Browne, who passed over to Leahy. He swung the ball over to Breagan, but he was beaten. Golders Green pressed until a goal-kick brought Romford relief, and the visitors again made the mistake of trying to work through in the centre. Weaver stopped the advance, but Romford then attacked on the rfight wing, the movement ending in Barlow clearing from Patterson. Golders Green carried the play to the other end, where Carter fell in dealing with a shot from Stovell, but Small cleared the ball away.

Bloxham put Leahy on the move, and he turned in a fine centre, which Stovell shot behind the goal. Then Browne engineered another opening from which STOVELL opened the scvoring with a grand goal five minutes from the start of the game.

Golders Green had a narrow escape when Barlow, running out to meet a shot from Sadler, missed the ball, which crossed the goalmouth close in.

Golders Green gained a corner in their next attack. This led to nothing, but the game was only ten minutes old when Browne started another successful movement. Stovell was intended to be the marksman, but REEVES intercepted the pass and turned the ball into his own goal to place Golders Green two up.

Shortly afterwards Leahy was brought down when on the point of shooting, and though Walker retrieved the ball, his shot went high and wide. Leahy found another chance, and scraped the ball just over the bar, taking another shot almost immediately afterwards and striking the upright.

Weaver was showing some nice touches, and Caswell was giving a neat display.

Following a breakaway by the Romford right wing, which Caswell defeated, Sharp pushed the ball forward to Walker, who beat Reeves and centred to Stovell. He passed out to Leahy, who sent in a low cross-shot, which Carter did well to hold. Breagan also tested Carter before Romford attacked again. This time Sadler ran away with the ball, but failed to beat Barlow.

A movement started in the centre led to Golders Green's third goal. Stovell and Walker worked the ball close in, but were blocked, and Stovell passed out to Leahy, who returned a well-placed centre which was followed by a scramble in front of the Romford goal. BREAGAN finished off with a shot which had Carter beaten.

Romford worked hard to reduce the odds, but the nearest they came was when Osborne shot close over the crossbar after B arlow had held an easy shot from Thomas.

Golders Green held their lead of 3-0 to the interval, but seven minutes after the change of ends Thomas robbed Walker and slipped through the Golders Green defence to shoot from just outside the penalty area. Barlow looked as though he had the ball covered, but it slipped through his hands and Romford had their one goal.

Romford were not taking advantage of the wind like Golders Green did, and when they did get through their shooting was weak.

Leahy, playing whole-heartedly throughout the game, promised an increase in the Golders Green score more than once, but could not bring it off. He gave Walker and Stovell some beautiful centres, and Carter had some busy moments. Stovell was a trier all the time.

Near the close of play a free-kick within the penalty area was given against the Romford goalkeeper for carrying. This failed to reach a packed goal, but led to a penalty, Walker being fouled. The spot kick was taken by Boston, who turned the ball six inches too wide, hitting the base of the upright.

Golders Green's victory was well earned, though Romford ought to have had one more goal on their play.