Southall, an outstanding amateur team last season, were regarded as distinguished visitors to the Claremont Road ground on Saturday, but they left under a cloud with only one goal against Golders Green's half-dozen.

Though there was only one change in the Southall team for the day, it must be said, however, that they are still suffering from the loss of Willshaw and Foss, who have gone over to professional clubs: hence the difference to last season's form.

Golders Green took a little time getting into stride, but they were clearly on top before the interval arrived, though the score at that time was 1-1, and if they had made better use of the left wing their victory might have been fairly established then. They were at least worth a couple of goals in the early stages, and it was to the credit of Green, in the Southall goal, that the promises did not materialise. Green was really the outstanding figure in the visiting team and the six goals against him were no reflection upon his work between the posts.

Golders Green's victory by 6-1 did not by any means represent a walk-over. Southall were always tenacious and the match provided a fair test for the home defence, who stood up to their work well, though George appeared at times to be a trifle off form. The halves were strong beyond doubt, and Bloxham and Bucci played a great game, while Broadis kept a ready eye on the agile Graves.

Southall's forward line were quick enough on the ball, but they suffered from a certain weakness in front of goal, due in some measure to the difficulty Graves seemed to experience in keeping his feet on a ground which the rain had made just slippery enough to be unpleasant.

Breagan was sufficiently recovered to take his place in the Golders Green team, but T.E. Evans was still a casualty and G. Marrable turned out at inside-left. The only change in the Southall team was B. Moss deputising for P. Petrie at left-half.

Golders Green threw themselves into action from the kick off and shots were taken by Duffield, Boston and Browne, the ball twice hitting the cross-bar and being finally scrambled away while Green was on the ground. At the other end Kimber held a long shot from Gibson and [W.] Boston intercepted a dangerous pass from Graves to Marchant. Kimber was fouled by Graves and the kick put the forwards on the move again, but only a corner resulted, and the kick was badly placed by Bloxham.

Graves, with his constructive passes and knack of finding the openings, was a frequent source of danger, but he was well marked and the Golders Green halves generally kept the play well up the field, though the forwards were not yet working well enough as a team to take full advantage of the service.

Play opened out, however, after about seven minutes and a brilliant pass by Boston right across the goalmouth was taken on by Breagan, who put the ball neatly in for DUFFIELD to head under the cross-bar, giving Golders Green their lead. It was a fine piece of work and Green never had a chance.

Bucci and F. Boston showed some fine form and were jointly responsible for a couple of corners, from one of which Bloxham barely missed the net. Kimber was reached once or twice, mainly through the speed and determination of the Southall right wing, but he dealt with the ball safely each time. Ette promised well for Southall, but George upset him and Broadis broke up a lively movement on the left started by Moss.

Golders Green were now showing a much better class of work than in the previous week and there was every reason for an optimistic outlook. F. Boston went only a foot wide with a stinging shot from twenty yards out, and Marrable and Breagan also tried their luck, the latter giving Green some difficulty, but a wasted centre by Boston relieved the pressure and Graves and Ette took the ball into the home half again. [W.] Boston broke up the movement, but Scully recovered the ball and passed out to MARCHANT, who put Southall on equal terms.

There was one more thrill before the interval. Marrable struck the cross-bar with a neat first-timer: Duffield secured the ball and was going well when he was brought down unfairly. Broadis took the free kick and shot low and straight, the ball just scraping outside the upright.

The score stood at one-all when half-time arrived.

Spirited attacks on both sides marked the restart, but they led to nothing and play became scrappy for a time. Then Bucci sent Boston away and his shot reached the goalmouth, but Green saved well. Golders Green came back at once and Breagan had hard luck with what looked like a certain scorer. Duffield, a smart worker all the time, forced a corner from which Marrable headed too high.

Up to this stage F. Boston had been neglected, but now he was better fed with the ball and showed his value at once, though Green cleared his shot while stretched on the ground.

Golders Green were definitely on top by now and the Southall goal had several lucky escapes when the ball was only scrambled clear in the nick of time. A certain amount of rough play developed and though the referee controlled the game well, many players were nursing knocks.

Golders Green's second goal came from F. BOSTON, who struck the inside of the upright with the second of two excellent shots, the ball bounding in over Green's shoulder. Southall replied with a strong attack, but were driven back, and Duffield pushed the ball through for F. BOSTON to score again. Boston could have put Golders Green safely ahead much earlier in the game if Golders Green had not insisted on overworking the right wing. Now he was being given a better share of the ball, but was more effectively marked than hitherto.

GEORGE found the net with a nice dropping shot from rather far out, giving Golders Green their fourth, and MARRABLE quickly followed with the fifth, shooting through off a pass from Duffield. Close on time MARRABLE scored the sixth and last goal from a corner.