Golders Green secured the lead against Hayes in the First Round of the Middlesex Senior Cup at Claremont Road, through a penalty taken by F. Boston fifteen minutes from the kick-off. They held the lead, missing many chances of an increase, until close on time, when Hayes netted twice and put Golders Green out of the competition. It was a disappointing display by Golders Green after a promising start, and the conditions of the defeat were not lightened by the fact that Hayes made five changes in their announced team. G. Wilkins and J. Friday were absent from the front line. R.H. Brown moved up from right-half to centre-forward, Chudley changing over from inside-right to inside-left, Pickford coming in from the right wing to fill Chudley's place and H. Farrow taking the outside position. C.H. Gilham was included at right-half.

Golders Green fielded their regular team, with the exception that G. Marrable took the place of D. Walker at inside-left, but the change was not a success.

Hayes kicked off, and at once made a forward thrust, Thurston taking from Chudley and putting out to Hunter, who made ground and passed in to Brown. Caswell tried to intercept the pass and missed, but Brown shot over the top, and from the goal-kick Golders Green broke away on the left. F. Boston was robbed, but Graves ran out to the wing and recovered the ball, only to see his work lost because nobody moved into the centre to take his pass. He tried a shot from an awkward angle and put the ball behind the goal. Bucci shot wide after Golders Green had been awarded a free-kick, but a goal might have resulted if Bucci had passed to F. Boston, who was well placed.

At the other end Hunter got well away, but a Hayes man handled close to goal and the whistle relieved the pressure. End-to-end play followed, the long passing by the Hayes halves making the visitors slightly more dangerous, but the Hayes goal nearly fell to Leahy, who sought to convert a free-kick from W. Boston. Golders Green were inclined to bunch together, and their passing was far from accurate.

Hayes were playing a forcing game, but the nearest approaches to success were when Brown scraped the post with a header and Hunter shot over the bar.

Golders Green now got into stride, and from a throw-in Leahy centred to Graves, who transferred the ball to F. Boston, who had a grand try for the net, only to force a corner off the goalkeeper. Boston was getting in some useful centres, and from one Graves drove in a low, hard shot, Holding conceding another corner.

A penalty for hands gave Golders Green the lead. F. BOSTON took the kick, and placed the ball well, low down and clear of Holding. It was a shot less simple than it looked, and Boston was deservedly popular for his success.

Soon afterwards Graves put in a beauty, but just too high, and F. Boston dropped a shot on to the top of the net. Graves and Marrable engineered another opening for Boston, but he drove the ball wide.

Twice Leahy, unmarked, lost his chance by faulty trapping. He was showing great speed, but was not at his best so far as accuracy was concerned.

Golders Green were having a full share of the play, or possibly a little more than their share, but no further score came their way, though Marrable tried with a first-timer off Leahy and Browne got his head to a ball after a free-kick by Bucci, only to see Holding clear.

Hayes carried out some sharp raids on both wings, but failed to beat the defence, and near half-time the visitors were defending again. Holding punched at a header from Browne, Leahy shot wide of the posts, and F. Boston, put on the move by Marrable, turned in a beautiful centre from which Graves headed on to the outside of the upright.

Crossing over with their lead of 1-0, Golders Green made early efforts in the second half to increase their lead, but their play gradually deteriorated, and the Hayes raids became more dangerous. Caswell was playing a good game at left-back in spite of an occasional wild rush, but Farrow, the Hayes right-winger, was speedy and clever and did much to worry the home defence.

Golders Green still did a fair amount of attacking, but they were not impressive, except for Graves, who distributed the ball well but did not receive the right support in his efforts. Leahy brought off one grand solo effort, but his shot, after a smart run in from the wing, passed across the goalmouth. Boston brought fresh hope to the Golders Green supporters with a clever cross-shot which brought a corner off the goalkeeper as he fell, but this was unproductive.

In the closing stages Golders Green collected an un fortunate casualty list, Breagan, Leahy, Graves and F. Boston being injured.

There were but eight minutes to go when FARROW penetrated the defence to put Hayes on level terms, and three minutes later Hayes worked the ball through in the centre, CHUDLEY finishing off to give them the game with a well-deserved goal.