Playing Sutton United at home on Saturday, Golders Green showed much improved form and well deserved their victory. At one stage they set up a regular bombardment of the Sutton goal and only brilliant work by Carr, between the posts, kept them out.

There were two changes to the team since the preparation of the programme. Bloxham had to cry off at the last moment due to a leg injury, and Breagan was taken out of the forward line to fill the vacancy at right-half, Browne coming in at inside-right. Both worked hard, though Browne’s passing was not always what it might have been. Bucci, at left-half, made his presence felt, and Broadis was as solid as ever. But W. Boston was about the best man in the team, giving a remarkably good exhibition at right-back.

The only alteration in the visitors’ side was at left-back, where W.A. Shepherd played instead of J.A. Webb.

Almost from the kick-off Bucci reached F. Boston with a forward pass and he swung the ball across to Leahy, who shot fast and low, but Carr cleared, and play was transferred to the other end, where West centred for Lock to test Barlow. Following another Golders Green attack, in which some neat passing by Breagan was seen, West again secured possession, but Broadis intercepted his pass to the centre. Soon afterwards Evans brought Barlow into action, but he had no difficulty in clearing and his kick sent the Golders Green forwards away. Walker passed out to Boston, who ran in to shoot, but Cooper stopped the ball. Bucci started another promising movement, but a centre from F. Boston was missed by Walker and Graves.

F. Boston led the attack which resulted in Golders Green’s opening goal seven minutes from the kick-off. Beating Carter, he centred to Walker, who was tackled and passed out to Leahy. The ball went too far, but Leahy won the race for it and dropped a well-placed centre for WALKER to head into the net.

A minute later a second goal looked certain when Graves and Walker battled their way through the defence, but Graves’ shot swerved wide of the goal by an inch or two, spoiling a thoroughly good effort.

Sutton replied with a strong push by their left wing, but Barlow punched out from Solly’s shot and Chick drove over the crossbar. Golders Green’s goal had a narrow escape after a free kick and a spell of end-to-end play followed, both sets of forwards being dangerous, but West putting in some specially good work. Golders Green were winging the ball better than they have done recently and Graves came near to scoring twice from F. Boston’s centres. Walker showed some nice touches and Bucci and Broadis were putting up a good show both in defence and in supporting the attack. Leahy came within shooting distance twice, but he was well marked all the time.

Then Golders Green reverted to their old mistake of fiddling, short passes, and it was not long before Sutton seized their opportunity. West got away with a good run down the wing, passed to Evans, and he centred to LOCK to equalise after 24 minutes’ play. Six minutes later LOCK scored Sutton’s second, off one of West’s centres.

F. Boston and Walker were both injured at this stage and the former had to leave the field for a short time.

Golders Green soon opened up their game again and the reward came five minutes from [half-]time, when LEAHY equalised after Carr had fallen in clearing from Browne. Close on time F. BOSTON took up an opportune pass from Bucci, ran close in, and put Golders Green ahead with a shot which there was no question of stopping.

Leading by one goal at half-time, Golders Green quickly widened the margin after the change of ends. Graves shot past Carr, who came out to meet the ball, and it entered the goal off Shepherd’s boot, he having attempted to clear. Walker looked like adding the fifth, but lifted the ball over the top, and from the goal-kick Sutton sailed down the field to force a corner, from which EVANS scored Sutton’s third goal.

Golders Green pressed hard to restore their margin and Graves engineered an opening for Walker, but the latter held on too long and was robbed by Shepherd. Then Golders Green gained three corners and the third led to WALKER shooting into the top of the net, leaving Carr well beaten.

Offside stopped a likely movement between Leahy and Graves, but shortly afterwards Graves reached Carr with a shot just below the level of the bar, which he did well to stop.

Now Golders Green seemed to be all over the Sutton defence. Carr had to deal with two quick shots from the centre and F. Boston just missed with a lovely first-timer. Leahy was getting in some beautiful centres, Walker was making up for any past faults, and Graves was giving a fine display in the centre. Carr held shots from Graves, Walker and Boston before Sutton broke away again and then Bucci and W. Boston did grand work in getting Golders Green out of one or two tight corners.

When Golders Green attacked again, Bucci came up to take a shot, but sent the ball too high.

With six minutes to go, Solly pushed the ball forward to LOCK, who netted Sutton’s fourth goal and last of the game.

(Hendon Times, 07/01/1938, p. 4)