A stirring encounter was expected at Claremont Road on Saturday, for victory would keep Golders Green in line for the Athenian League championship, and they had a score to wipe off for the heavy defeat at Leyton. On the other hand, Leyton could be expected to put up a strong effort to avenge their failure in the Amateur Cup.

Instead of this, however, Leyton's visit to the Golders Green's ground produced a tame show in which a draw was the only fitting result. Neither side looked like a winner. Thrills there were here and there, but it was generally a story of missed opportunities on both sides. More than once an open goal was treated kindly and both goalkeepers were let off lightly by forwards skying the ball high over the top.

Leyton were rather better in attack, but the Golders Green defence showed good judgment in most of their work and the halves broke up many promising combinations by their quick tackling. The centre-forwards did not shine, but there was much brilliance on the wings, chief credit going to the Leyton right wing.

Tommy Evans having been selected to travel to Brussels with the Athenian League, Eric Duffield took his place with the Golders Green forwards.

Leyton won the toss and took advantage of the wind in the first half. They were not long in getting into stride and within a minute were around the Golders Green goal, G. Browne and Hickey leading the way, but W. Boston relieved the pressure and Broadis got the ball out to Breagan. He looked a good goer, but was beaten by Burns, and G. Browne and Hickey came back to threaten the home goal.

The first thrill came five minutes from the kick-off, when, Bucci having started a good movement, F. Boston centred accurately to Duffield. Cornford stepped forward to intercept the pass and failed, but Duffield's shot went wide.

Golders Green were taking their full share of the play with F. Boston their most dangerous man at this stage, but he found Gibbins a big obstacle, and when he did put across a characteristic centre there was weak finishing inside. He gave Duffield a grand chance after a particularly nice piece of work, but the centre-forward shot behind, and shortly afterwards Fallon also missed the mark.

Hope ran high for Golders Green when, after a brief spell on the defence, Bucci sent Boston away again. He took the ball well in and passed to Duffield, who headed neatly just below the bar level, but Cornford fisted the ball out.

At the other end Kimber had shots to deal with from both wings and he did not give his very best performance, but the backs worked hard to relieve many awkward situations. Kimber saved well from a snap shot by G. Browne, but a moment later he was lucky to see the ball drop outside the upright after slipping from his hands.

Another brilliant run from Boston was wasted by J. Browne shooting over the top, and then, with ten minutes to go before the interval, White gave Leyton the opening goal, shooting through after Kimber had stopped a shot from Collins.

The second half opened with a forceful attack by Golders Green, in which Breagan worked hard and well. Shots came from both wings and J. Browne all but beat Cornford, while a tricky ground shot from Duffield looked a sure scorer. Golders Green never found it easy, however, to circumvent the visiting halves.

Leyton penned the home team in their own half fora short time, during which Collins put in a noble shot from one of Vivian's passes and was well held by Kimber; but most of the attacks were met by a sterling defence. W. Boston was responsible as much as anybody for keeping the adverse balance down to a single goal.

Golders Green were soon attacking again and when F. Boston dropped a centre close in front of goal Duffield's shot scraped just outside the post.

It was from Boston's work that J. Browne eventually scored, driving the ball in low down after Cornford had cleared from Duffield. Golders Green gained a couple of corners, but the strong wind carried the ball over the line, and before the final whistle blew G. Browne and Hickey had shown some more of their brilliant combination, which was always a feature of the Leyton attacks.