Though Chelsea "A" had to rearrange their team at short notice, it was not felt that Golders Green's chances were particularly rosy on Saturday, and certainly the visitors were not expected to go through the afternoon without a score. But Golders Green put up a first-rate performance in which the stars were Breagan and Browne, Peverell at centre-half, Davis at left-half, and Caswell, who, if he keeps up his present standard as a back, will have to be known as Tommy (" stonewaller ") Caswell. He was, in fact, the steadiest man on the field.

Webster had not recovered sufficiently from his recent injury, so Bucci took the inside-left position. Dave Walker and F. Boston were engaged in the Athenian League match v. Royal Navy and Marines, and A.I. Pinkham came in at centre-forward, Browne being placed on the left wing in the first half until Sexton's first injury.

Chelsea were without Gregg, Robertson and Alexander. Wright came in at centre-forward, Pennant dropping to right-half, while Foss took the place of Gregg in the front line, White changed from right to left back, Allen was moved from left back to left-half, and Ardley came in at right back instead of White.

Browne, by the way, came back to Golders Green for the day owing to Finchley having no fixture.

Chelsea started off at a pace which looked like running Golders Green off their feet, but the home team kept a grip on themselves and gradually took the measure of their opponents, whose force diminished as the game went on, though their clever passing was always superior to the home work. Their marksmanship was not good, however, though Lewis was an exception in this respect. Chelsea's left wing first promised danger, but they could not get through, the ball was swung across to Wilkinson, on the right, who made ground and passed in to Lewis, but he shot behind the net. Another from Lewis was easily held by Barlow. Golders Green next carried out a couple of raids, but Sexton and Bucci failed with their shots. Bucci reached Lake soon afterwards, but the ball was held.

Browne, whose footwork was always a joy to watch, sent a long pass across to Breagan, who returned the ball to the goalmouth, but White cleared and Chelsea attacked down the centre. They maintained the pressure long enough for Boston and Caswell to earn the applause of the crowd for their defensive work. Caswell eventually had to concede a corner, but this was unsuccessful. Following a throw-in, Wright shot just outside the Golders Green posts, and Barlow had to push the ball round the net off Lewis.

Chelsea were finding their men with almost uncanny accuracy, but Peverell and Davis -- the latter always a trier -- worked well to break up some dangerous movements. Bloxham was a problem. He did good work -- almost brilliant -- at intervals, but often fiddled about with the ball and failed to go after an opponent.

A neat bit of combined play between Bucci and Browne almost brought the first goal. Then Sexton made a grand effort, only to see the ball scrape over the bar.

Golders Green took the lead through Bucci, but the honour was well shared by Breagan, who outplayed the defence and centred from an almost impossible angle for BUCCI to shoot in past Lake. It was a well-deserved goal and heartened Golders Green tremendously.

Chelsea responded with a strong attack which ended with Smale trying a shot from an awkward angle and failing.

In another raid by Golders Green, Davis nearly succeeded with a shot close across the goalmouth. Towards half-time the Golders Green defence were allowing themselves to be too easily drawn, and Barlow was tested several times, but Caswell was generally to be reckoned with.

Browne netted from a pass by Bucci, but was ruled offside and lost a beautiful goal.

Sexton had been putting up a fine display, but the Chelsea defence were giving him too much attention, and shortly before the interval he was fouled and injured. He had to leave the field, and Browne went to inside-right, Sexton being placed at outside-left when he returned.

Changing over with their one-goal lead, Golders Green withstood a lot of pressure by the Chelsea forwards and halves, who showed splendid team-work all the time, but the visitors lost their best chance when Wright tried to take the ball through on his own instead of passing to Lewis. At the other end Pinkham made a similar mistake when Browne was waiting with room to shoot. Pinkham, a young player from Golders Green "A", gave a good account of himself throughout the game.

It was now that Browne and Bucci commenced their magnificent exhibition together, showing a perfect understanding, wizardry with their footwork and ball control, and enough cunning and speed to compensate for any lack of size. This combination lasted until the end of the game, and was an entertainment in itself. Peverell and Davis were also playing a fine game, and there were still some nice touches from Sexton, though he was severely incapacitated by his leg injury.

Golders Green were having their full share of the play, if not more, but Chelsea were always dangerous when in possession; and Lewis was an opportunist who needed constant watching. Golders Green survived two corners, and Barlow held a grand shot from Wilkinson. Golders Green had a lucky escape when, Boston being out of position, Smale streaked for goal. Barlow came out to narrow the angle and Smale shot a foot wide, Barlow falling as the ball went by his hands.

At the other end Davis brought Lake into action again, and Bucci hard hard luck with a header.

In the closing stages Bucci, Browne and Davis were injured, and close on time Sexton was again brought down heavily with the result that he had to retire from the game and receive first-aid attention.