ABefore a crowd of over 2,000, Finchley narrowly lost to Golders Green on Saturday in the semi-final of the Middlesex Charity Cup at Summers Lane. This local derby produced a stern fight, and in the second half, when Finchley held the visitors in their own territory, there were many thrills and narrow scrambles.

On the run of the play Golders Green were lucky to keep their lead. The first half had been fairly even, Golders Green having the early advantage, but Finchley finishing strongly.

The sun and wind were big factors. Golders Green enjoyed the advantage for the first 45 minutes, but then it was Finchley's turn, although they were then up the slope.

Both sides were to some extent weakened by team changes. Finchley could not play Broadis and Browne (who were in any case assisting the London League to beat the Navy), and they were also without Simpson. The veteran Daniel came in at centre-half, Pearce at left-half, and Smart moved forward to outside-left with Bates as his partner.

The Golders Green half-back line also suffered changes. Ward took Bloxham's place on the right, and Davis was left-half, so that Bucci could move up to inside-right in place of Sexton.

In the first half Finchley also suffered through injury, Pearce having to leave the field twice, and then Neary was fouled and also had to go off with a cut face. He returned later.

Finchley's methods were too close before the interval, and this is where Golders Green had the advantage, though their finishing was often weak.

The game was scarcely two minutes old when Breagan scored for Golders Green, Webster and F. Boston combined weel to take the ball near the home goal, and the winger passed it across to BREAGAN, at outside-right, who was unmarked. He had no difficulty in beating Hall with a ground shot.

The Golders Green forwards continued to harass the Finchley defenders, and miskicks often left the situation dangerous, Hall being in action on several occasions.

A free-kick for a foul on Tones relieved the situation, but the ball was soon back in the Finchley half. Boston was a source of danger on the left, but he found it difficult to control the ball. Hall made a fine save from him, however, when the winger did have an opening, and Finchley had to concede a corner before the ball was cleared. Finchley had not yet settled down like Golders Green, and when they did attack on the left Smart strained himself and had to receive attention. Neary schemed well and forced the home team's first corner, but Smart kicked it tamely behind. Daniel found time to give Neary a good pass, but the inside-right was robbed of the ball before he could work it into a favourable position to shoot.

After a bout of midfield play Boston spoilt a Golders Green movement by getting offside. From the free-kick Stone came into the picture on the right, but his shot went high over the bar. Pearce had to go off after about 15 minutes, through an injury to his arm.

Breagan looked promising, and he nearly scored with a high dropping shot. The visitors were the more enterprising. Then Neary made a run on the extreme left, but was fouled and had to leave the field. Pearce returned shortly afterwards, however, and Finchley showed better spirit, Stone and Bates being prominent in a raid on the Golders Green goal.

Pearce, in spite of his injury, worked the ball well, but his centres went behind. Finchley soon had Neary back, and shortly afterwards Stone ran through and equalised with a grand cross shot which kept low. This encouraged the home team, and Neary tested Barlow with a hard drive from close in.

Lewin was not being given much room by Peverell, but the other forwards made the best of their opportunities. Golders Green eventually returned to the attack, but Bellis robbed F. Boston when the winger was in a good position. W. Boston ran up from full-back to crash in a long shot which Hall saved well.

Finchley attacked again, but Stone and Bates came into collision in a misunderstanding. Lewin nearly went through on his own a moment later, but he was crowded off the ball as he was about to shoot. Tones miskicked to Webster, who also initiated a Golders Green attack, but Bellis came to the rescue in the nick of time.

Bucci, Ward and Breagan combined well for the visitors, and Baird, Bellis and Pearce were kept busy. The winger spoilt a movement by kicking behind. Tones started a Finchley attack with a good dribble, and twice W. Boston had to kick back to Barlow to clear the ball. A free-kick for an infringement sent the ball back to the other end. Boston centred, but Webster and Walker missed a great chance.

Finchley were unlucky in the matterf of injuries, for again Pearce went off, and scarcely had he left when Tones had to be treated. Webster tested Hall with an awkward bouncing shot, and at this period Golders Green were definitely on top.

Half-time : Finchley 1; Golders Green 1.

Finchley resumed with a full team, Pearce being at outside-left and Smart at left-half. Straight from the kick-off Golders Green attacked, and Hall made a brilliant save from Bucci. Bellis miskicked, but Daniel robbed Boston when the winger seemed to have a clear run for goal.

Finchley, with the wind in their favour, attacked with a will and Neary, who had resumed with a bandage round his head, gave Stone a fine pass, the winger forcing a corner. Stone put in a good one, and Bates nearly scored with a first-time shot which grazed the crossbar. Stone and Neary again combined well, and another corner was forced, and Bates had bad luck to see his shot drop just over the crossbar.

Golders Green were finding it hard going against the wind, but Ward made a smart move and gave Bucci a good pass. Baird tackled him well, however, and the ball was soon back at the other end. From a throw-in Stone passed to Neary, whose shot missed the post by inches.

Golders Green took the lead unexpectedly just after this, when F. BOSTON ran down the wing and beat Hall with a fast ground shot to score the winning goal for Golders Green and the best goal of the game. A moment later they had the ball in the net again, Walker scoring from a centre by Breagan, but offside was given.

Excitement was high when Neary ran clear of the opposition, but just lost the race to the ball with Barlow. Stone and Tones had a go, but their shots went wide.

Barlow was kept busy, and down at the Finchley end Hall saved well from Boston. Golders Green looked better at this stage, and Breagan and Boston looked dangerous.

Neary was dribbling splendidly for the London Leaguers, however, and once he beat three men and was unlucky not to score. Tones worked hard, but he held the ball too long to make it useful to his forwards. Offside eventually eased the situation for Golders Green.

Pearce, naturally, was not given much to do, but when he did get the ball he sent it high over the bar. Stone centred well, but just too high for Lewin and Bates to head in.

Golders Green attacked when Walker passed accurately to Breagan, and a miskick by Baird nearly caused trouble to the home team. Smart eventually cleared, and Finchley settled down to a hot attack. They made ground by a series of throw-ins on the right, Bates ending by shooting wide. Ward passed to Breagan, but when Bucci obtained possession he shot too high. Boston might have put his team further ahead, but over-eagerness caused him to run the ball over the line.

The home team once more went after the elusive equaliser, Stone, Lewin and Pearce each making great efforts. Neary forced his way through, but the visitors packed their goal well and he was not allowed to get a shot in. W. Boston injured himself in a scramble, but he resumed after treatment from the trainer. Neary was fouled twice. Still keeping up the attack, Smart tried a long shot which went just wide. Golders Green were hard pressed in the closing stages.