Golders Green fell badly at Romford in the Athenian League. Romford gained a lead of three in the first half-hour, including one penalty, and although Walker brought some slight hope to Golders Green before half-time, Romford put on two more, only another penalty (taken by Broadis) reducing the winning margin from four to three.

Romford, showing no signs of stress as a result of their mid-week game, were definitely superior in the first half, though they should not have led by 3-1 at the interval, Golders Green having missed some golden chances to level up.

In the second half Golders Green bucked up for a time, and there was promise at least of a draw, but the second penalty for Romford (an award which caused some mystification) seemed to take the sting out of the visitors, and they went to pieces for the rest of the game.

It was a triumphant day for Romford, whose victory celebrated the opening of their fine new ground - a ceremony which was performed by Col. Sir Carne Rasch, Bt., D.L., A.D.C., J.P., deputising for the Lord Lieutenant of the County of Essex, in the presence of about 5,000 people. The Mayor of Romford was there (Councillor C.H. Allen, J.P.), with Mr. T. Macpherson (President of Romford F.C.) and Mr. A.J. Smith (chairman of the club), there was a guard of the 4th Battalion Essex Regiment, and the Regimental Drums and Fifes played, a collection being taken later for their silver bugle fund.

Of the Golders Green team, Jacobs did not give a bad display in goal in spite of the score against him, but he was left unprotected far too often, while the backs looked as though they wanted to attack the Romfortd goal. Time and again they were caught too far up the field. The halves probably missed Bucci, whose place was taken by Pidgeon, but they should have done more to hold Romford in the second half. Broadis certainly played a grand game, bur Pidgeon was not prominent enough for a real opinion to be formed as to his possibilities.

In the forward line Leahy gave a good display as far as he was able without particularly good support from Snazel. Walker, in the centre, deserved greater success than he achieved. On the left wing Soden was at all times a trier, but he was too thoroughly marked by the home defence. Browne, again the roamer, showed some nice touches and, with a bit of luck, would have added to the score.

For Romford, Parrish deputised for Wingfield. Burchell was the star of the defence and Sadler, on the left, was outstanding among the forwards.

Golders Green promised an early score when Soden swung the ball in from Pidgeon, but Burchell cleared and Romford worked through on the right. Osborne took up a pass from Blott, but was beaten, and although Anderson recovered the ball his shot failed. Broadis relieved the pressure, pushing the ball forward for Soden and Walker to work close in to the Romford goal. Sodfen turned it nicely to the goal-line, but Parrish cleared and Romford returned to the attack, Patterson putting up a fast run with the ball and showing that he needed careful watching. Thomas failed with a long shot.

Romford were using their heads quite as much as their boots, and it was from clever headwork that SADLER was enabled to open the score off Blott five minutes from the start.

Golders Green put up a strenuous attack in reply, but the Romford defence worked too well together, and though Leahy twice came within shooting distance the efforts were not vedry dangerous.

Romford's second goal, after 21 minutes of play, was the result of handling in the penalty area. OSBORNE took the kick and netted easily. Soon afcterwards Thomas put in the third with a rather long shot. Jacobs made a great effort to save, but could only push the ball onto the inside of the post.

At the other end a lovely bit of work in the centre secured Golders Green an opening, but Soden, receiving from Walker, shot wide of the mark, and a moment later, when Walker had slipped out to the wing, there was no one in front of goal to take his well-placed pass. Golders Green were pressing in determined fashion now but an offside decision stopped them, and Thomas led the Romford forwards into the picture again.

They did no damage, and Broadis got the ball out to Leahy, who beat Howlett well and passed in to Walker, whose shot struck the crossbar. Snazel tested Parrish, and finally WALKER converted a pass from Snazel, bringing the half-time score to 3-1. Close on time Leahy had bad luck not to score when, well positioned, he shot just wide after Soden and Browne had produced the opening.

The second half was but two minutes old when, Anderson handling, Golders Green were awarded a penalty. BROADIS was the marksman, and went in with a loverly shot, Parrish only just touching the ball as it passed.

Golders Green were now showing better form, while Romford gave signs of tiring, and if the visiting defence had not collapsed later, the result would have been very different. Parrish did well to hold a low shot from Soden, and he also cleared from Walker and Leahy. Romford broke away to force a corner, from which Osborne headed just below the bar level, but Jacobs punched clear. When Golders Green pressed again, Soden dropped the ball to the centre of the goalmouth, but Parrish wsas a fraction too quick for Walker. From another of Soden's centres, Walker shot, but Parrish was ready.

Then Romford recovered their earlier strength, and Jacobs had to save from Sadler, Thomas and Osborne. Broadis worked hard to stem the advances, but the backs were disappointing and frequently left Jacobs uncovered. Sadler came near to scoring when Jacobs stumbled in running out to narrow the shooting angle, but the ball swerved in the air and passed outside the post.

Then came the third penalty of the match, the reason for which was by no means clear. OSBORNE took the shot and raised the Romford account to four. Romford forwards were receiving perfect passes up from the backs, and Jacobs had a lot of work to do, finally beaing beaten by PATTERSON, who got his head to a timely pass from Sadler and sent the ball under the crossbar.