Although Barking took the lead in this Athenian League match at Claremont Road on Saturday, Fallon, with a wonderful shot, soon equalised the scores, and Bloxham, at right-half, gave Golders Green the lead a little later. The score remained at 2-1 in favour of Golders Green until well in the second half. Then Fogg scored for Barking, and the remaining period was full of excitement, both goals having narrow escapes.

The score of 2-2 hardly did justice to Golders Green, who, in the second half, had long spells of attacking, and on two occasions had free kicks just outside the penalty line. Broadis took both, but shot wide.

There was excellent work by Golders Green forwards up to a point, but there were many wild shots. The high wind was not conducive to good football, but more goals should have been scored. Golders Green attacked so strongly that one felt it was impossible for them to lose, but though they prevented defeat, Barking, mainly thanks to their defence, extracted a point.

Golders Green had five and Barking six of the players that appeared at Claremont Road in April, when, it may be recalled, Wilson was ordered off. This was a much pleasanter game. The only change in Golders Green's team was the inclusion of Fallon for T. Evans.

The effect of Evans's absence is problematical. He has scored some good goals this season when cleverer players have failed, and it is possible that he might have turned this game into a win for Golders Green. On the other hand, there was no better forward than Fallon, who from the start was outstanding. Even with two or three opponents around him he kept possession of the ball until he saw the chance of shooting or giving another an opportunity. His footwork was wonderful, and he never gave the impression of being flurried. Browne was also clever, but not quite so effective as he was in some games last season.

Taking the team as a whole, there was a slight falling off in the standard of play compared with that against Bromley. W. Boston, at right-back, was hurt in the second half, and during his brief absence Bloxham and Broadis both dropped back. Boston returned little the worse for his misadventure, and once again proved his value to the side. Not content to do one man's work, he is ever on the watch for weaknesses in others, and by his promptness prevented disaster.

Miles, in goal, saved some good shots, but showed signs of weakness on the two occasions Barking scored.

Somewhat early in the game Neale, the Barking centre-half, was injured, and subsequently played at outside-right.

Scoring opened at the end of 20 minutes, Matthews finding the net after Miles had made a weak clearance. Five minutes later Fallon, with a left-foot drive, equalised, and he well deserved the goal because from the beginning he had put in splendid work.

From this time until the interval we saw a series of attacks by the Golders Green forwards. Browne was within an ace of finding the net, and from a corner forced by Fallon and taken by F. Boston, Barking had another anxious time. Then came a terrific shot by Fallon which struck the crossbar.

Wilson had no rest. He just managed to escape being forced through his own goal with the ball in his arms, but though he avoided being beaten he failed to deal with a surprise shot from Bloxham, who well deserved the cheers which followed.

Barking made a strong effort to get on level terms before the change-over, but though at times the defence showed signns of weakness, Golders Green succeeded in retaining the lead.

In the second half play was distinctly in favour of Golders Green. For some time Barking's forwards did not cross the halfway line, and the visiting defence had no rest. Walker made several good shots, and it seemed almost inevitable that further goals would come, but though corners were forced and free kicks taken from good positions, Wilson was unbeatable. He was helped splendidly by the backs, the work of Webb being a feature of the game. One incident led to the referee speaking to a Barking player and making use of his notebook, but it was in no sense a rough game and credit must be given to Barking for defending so well.

As so often happens, a breakaway after heavy pressure brought a goal, Barking equalising through Fogg following a corner kick. Both sides tried hard for the winning goal, but had to be content with sharing the honours.

Probably in the hope of helping his side, Fallon was as often on the right wing as in his proper position of inside-left during the second half. As a result F. Boston suffered.