Apart from weakness at centre-forward, Golders Green gave a much improved performance against Walthamstow Avenue in the Athenian League at Claremont Road on Saturday. Standing up to many vigorous raids by fast wings, they were one down at half-time - by a goal scored after 35 minutes of play, and they equalised soon after half-time. Wathamstow gained the lead again, but Golders Green were able to level up immediately afterwards through a penalty.

For most of the game, Walthamstow played only ten men, R. Wright being badly injured, but this did not mean that Golders Green had an easy task. Walthamstow maintained their style and danger in spite of the loss of a man, and provided stern opposition the whole way through.

Except that Snazel was disappointing in the centre, Golders Green's front line functioned well and had good support from the halves, while the defence was far better than in the earlier matches this season.

There were two changes in the Walthamstow team, W. Groves coming up from the reserves to deputise for R. Mathews at centre-forward, and Johnson coming in at right-back in place of F. Hicks.

Walthamstow pushed through in the centre from the kick-off, but Broadis haled them, but though they came back at once on the left wing, they failed to beat Breagan and W. Boston. Then Golders Green got busy on the right, but Johnson intercepted F. Boston's centre, and his clearance sent play down to the home half. Walthamstow gained a corner, but Caswell cleared and Broadis pushed the ball forward to Snazel, who failed to penetrate. F. Boston took up a pass from Breagan and put in a neat centre, but Johnson beat Walker for the ball.

Sharp started another promising movement which enabled F. Boston to run almost to the corner flag and turn in a well-timed centre. The ball was headed along by Snazel and Browne and finally headed close over the bar by Leahy. It was a beautiful effort which deserved success.

At the other end Pittson broke away and passed across to Davis, who got his head to the ball but sent too high. Following a raid in the centre by Walthamstow, F. Boston led the Golders Green attack again, but his centre was not utilised.

Walthamstow pressed hard, and Barlow had some work to do, but he cleared coolly and was well guarded by the backs except for a few occasions when Pittson found himself unmarked and was able to slip through. Vincent shot wide of the mark and Wright drove over the crossbar.

Walthamstow were fast and well organised, but their marksmanship was poor.

Golders Green worked hard for the lead, but relied too much on the left wing, while Leahy, often well placed for a shot, was not served enough in the early stages of the game.

During the next attack by the visitors, Wright took a heavy fall and had to leave the field. He did not return, and subsequently received treatment at Manor House Hospital for an injury to his back.

After much end-to-end play and some thrills in front of both goals, Groves scored for Walthamstow from some 12 yards out. Barlow reached the ball but could not hold it.

Golders Green responded with a spirited attack in which F. Boston and Walker tested Pinner without success.

After the change of ends Golders Green pressed and forced a corner, but this was unprofitable, and though the attack was maintained the nearest they came to a goal was when F. Boston and Browne shot behind the net. The Walthamstow forwards twice reached Barlow, but he kept the ball out, and a hefty clearance by Caswell sent Leahy away. He passed across to F. Boston, and the goalkeeper ran out to meet him. Boston beat Pinner, but his shot fell short and no one was there to finish it off. Soon afterwards Boston had hard luck with a peach of a shot which scraped over the crossbar.

Hereabouts Oliver was injured, but he was soon able to take the field again.

Golders Green equalised as a result of a free kick, beautifully placed by Caswell, Walker converting the kick. Play proceeded at a terrific pace, in which opportunities were missed at both ends of the field, but Walthamstow eventually went ahead through Vincent, who turned a pass from Pittson through the posts after Barlow had cleared from Magner. Almost from the kick-off Walthamstow were penalised for handling. F. Boston took the penalty kick, and placed Golders Green on equal terms again.

Caswell was giving a fine display and doing much to open up the play.

Golders Green forced another corner, but after Walker had sent the ball over the bar Walthamstoe set up a strong attack, and Barlow had to deal with shots from Groves, Davis and Pittson. Broadis relieved the pressure, and Golders Green carried out raids on both wings. Leahy, Walker and F. Boston got within shooting distance, but Pinner was equal to them. Golders Green fell back after Leahy had shot too high, and Barlow was then forced by Vincent to concede a corner. This was cleared, and shortly afterwards Barlow saved from almost a certain shot from Davis.

Close on time Walker worked well to provide an opening, but the final shot from Leahy was held by Pinner. Golders Green were having most of the play in the closing stages, but time arrived without the deciding goal.