Had the Golders Green centre-forward only been a little faster on Saturday, the tale might have been a different one. As it was, the Southall team had to fight hard for the only goal scored in the game at Southall in the Middlesex Charity Cup semi-final.

Right from the outset two things were clear. One was that both teams were determined to put up a hard fight, and the other was that the Golders Green forward line was lacking its key man. On several occasions opportunities to score were lost when Bustard, the centre-forward, was not in position.

From the kick-off the game was an open one, and showed that both teams were on a par. With the game swinging up and down the field regularly, the advantage seemed first to be with Golders Green and then with Southall. Golders Green attacked, but before the forwards could do anything the Southall half-back line cleared the ball to the forwards, who shot away like a lot of sprinters. Bloxham trapped the ball, however, and set off towards Southall's goal. He managed to get within shooting distance, but took his shot wrongly and sent the ball to the side of the goal, giving Southall a goal-kick. This took the game to midfield, but soon it came back to harass Green, the Southall custodian. It was at this point that the poor finishing of the Golders Green attack became noticeable. The left wing, Boston and Browne, had the ball, and having got well down, they centred. No one was there ready to gather the ball and shoot. A Southall back cleared, but Hill brought the ball back and tried to get it in. He failed, but as he did so he took a knock which appeared to leave him somewhat shy for the rest of the game. Even after this, however, he played very neatly.

After another attack by Southall, Bucci received the ball and started a good move. He got right up almost to the penalty area before he passed to F. Boston, who took the ball in, but shot high. The goal kick cleared up to midfield.

Each attack Southall had made up to this point resulted in a goal kick, and this was no exception, for when Lawes and Heillins brought the ball up to the Golders Green backs they muffed it and put the ball over the line. The resulting goal kick did not clear properly, and the ball came back, only to be well fisted out by Kimber. Unfortunately one of the Golders Green men fouled a Southall player and gave a penalty kick.

This time Kimber was not able to clear so well with his punch and the ball quickly came back at the other side of the goalmouth. With a fine effort Kimber saved again, but gave away a corner. There was a good chance of Southall scoring their first goal then, but as the ball came in they let it fall to the ground. This gave W. Boston a chance, and with a neat sideways flick he cleared the ball right away.

On another occasion Scully, the Southall centre-half, tried to score, but could not get the ball through.

When the second half began with no score, the teams seemed to be keyed up, and Southall did a lot more attacking. The Golders Green goal bore a charmed existence, however, because on a number of occasions when it seemed impossible that a goal could be saved the ball came out without crossing the line.

A good movement from midfield by the right wing brought the ball up to the Southall goal and Chaventre passed into the centre. It went to Boston, who had come in from the left wing, and he tried to head it in, but it went over the crossbar.

At last, near the end of the second half, Southall gained the goal they had been trying for so hard throughout the match. Tthe forwards started a good move down field and the ball went across from the left to the right wing. Then Leahy passed back to ETTE, who scored with a beautiful shot which had Kimber beaten. It was not a difficult one, but the goalmouth was obscured and Kimber could not see what was happening.

Outstanding in the Golders Green team were Browne and Hill, who played very well indeed. Broadis gave a good display and was soundly backed up by Bucci and Shorland. At right-back, and helping Kimber out of tight corners, W. Boston was clever and neat.

Southall had a sound forward line, of which Graves, the centre, was noticeable. Lawes did not partner Heillins as well as he should have done, but Ette and Scully both played soundly. Petrie, too, was good.