Golders Green, though they lost two more valuable points in the Athenian League to Romford on Saturday, played a better game than they had done for some time. They were undoubtedly up against a better team, however[, and lost 3-1].

From the kick-off, taken by Romford, Golders Green soon worked the ball into their opponents' half of the field, on Saturday, and they soon forced a goal-kick. This went up to Patterson, who ran neatly away and centred. The pass came over to Metcalfe, who shot over the goal.

Forcing play on the part of Romford produced a corner which had unprofitable results. R. Hill took a goal-kick and the play went up to midfield, only to swing back to the Golders Green line. Another corner almost provided a goal for the home team from Thomas, but he just failed to net it.

Soon the play came Soden's way, and proved a chance for him to display his speed. With a beautiful run down to the Romford end, he was nearly able to shoot before Burchell, the back, could stop him. A corner finally resulted and Bucci kicked the ball over the crossbar. After this Osborne made a similar attempt on the Golders Green goal, when exactly the same thing happened. The ball was eventually brought up to the halfway line, where the players vaccillated on the Golders Green right wing until J. Hill passed it to the left wing with a clean kick.

This gave rise to a movement by Boston and Browne which resulted in another corner kick. Nothing came of it, however, and Howlett received the ball. He passed to Thomas, who, with a clear field, ran for goal. His shot was a hurried one and went past the Golders Green right goalpost.

J. Hill was playing a hard game here, doing a lot of fast running with very little result to show for it. Another pass from him brought the ball to Romford's goal through Breagan. He centred, and Soden, running hard, just could not get to it in time. He collided with Wingfield, and the ball went back to the Golders Green area. There Metcalfe passed to Patterson, who shot. R. Hill punched it out, and Osborne returned it, but Hill again saved.

When the ball was sent out into the field again the Golders Green men too often played a waiting game. The greater weight of the home team also told against the visitors.

A nice piece of work on the wing brought the play back to the Golders Green end of the field. The move was started by Osborne, who passed the ball to Metcalfe on the wing. Metcalfe ran down and centre to THOMAS, who shot neatly, and gave Romford the first blood. This was 27 minutes after play had commenced.

A move of the whole Golders Green forward line brought the ball to the home team's end of the field when play recommenced, and Boston, with Browne, contrived to centre. There was a crowd in front of the goalmouth, however, and J. Hill, who was on the spot, was too light to succeed in his attempt to head in.

Play returned to the Golders Green sector, and twice in succession R. Hill saved oblique shots which seemed certain goals. Then Soden gained another chance, but Sargeant raced hard with him, and just managed to send the ball over the line to give Golders Green a corner. Breagan took the kick, and sent the ball back to the centre of the field, where Browne trapped it and passed over to Boston, who took it on the run and almost scored. The goal-kick took the ball well up to the Golders Green end of the field and Lewis had to race a Romford forward. He won and saved what might have developed into a awkward situation.

Play again merged in front of Golders Green's goal, but at length Soden received the ball and ran right down the wing before he came across to shoot, the ball passing over the crossbar. Play then opened up to midfield where it remained until the whistle blew shortly after for half-time.

Play in this half had been quite fast during most of the time, but when the second " 45 " opened no such swiftness was noticeable. Romford quickly attacked and a run down to the Golders Green goal less than five minutes after play had recommenced brought a pass from Clayton to Thomas. He was nearly over the line when he centred to OSBORNE, who flicked it in. Back again in the Romford end, Golders Green soon forced a corner, but no use was made of the chance it afforded, and the home team were soon pressing hard.

A penalty in front of the Golders Green goal gave Hill another test, through which he came with flying colours. He twice punched the ball in the air, the second time sending it over the crossbar. The corner produced a quick attack which was effectually scotched by Sharp, who ran in behind R. Hill and headed the ball well clear. Osborne was on the spot, However, and sent a pass in to Thomas whose shot was only just saved by R. Hill.

For a time the Golders Green team showed that even if they could not attack with any certainty they could at least defend in a fashion almost inspired. A series of Romford attacks were repulsed with some very sound and fast play.

Then the Greens seemed to pull themselves together and set out on an attack which, had it come earlier, might have done them some good. There was a good deal of wild and high kicking on both sides, and Golders Green concerted an attack in which the forward line played superbly.

They could not summon up that extra half-ounce of energy which was necessary, however, and Romford soon returned the attacks with interest. Frequently they were stopped before they could assume a serious mien.

At last a pass from Breagan to J. Hill evaded the Romford back, Burchell. This brought a chance for Soden, but he hurried over it and missed a cushy shot. Pressed again by the home team, Golders Green once more showed the stuff their defence was made of, and Shorland resumed the steady play he exhibited throughout.

The third goal for Romford came as the result of a penalty. A nice left wing move was in progress when a pass from Metcalfe was stopped by Shorland. He tried to get to it with his head, and as he failed to do this he flung out his hand in an unfortunate gesture which struck the ball. This was about five minutes before time, and OSBORNE took the kick.

Very soon after this Golders Green obtained their only goal. It also came as the result of a penalty award. One of the Golders Green forwards fell on the ball as he was near the goal, and Wingfield, the goalkeeper, fell on him. The referee's decision was unpopular with the crowd, but F. BOSTON took the kick and scored. Not to be outdone the home team attacked fiercely, but before they could score the final whistle blew.