Golders Green were unlucky to lose their Athenian League match against Southall at Claremont Road on Saturday. Playing with a strong wind in the first half they failed to score, while Southall went one up. Against the wind after the interval, the home team surprisingly scored twice and took the lead.

The turning point came when F. Boston missed a shot at an open goal. If this had scored, Golders Green in all probability would have won. As it was, Southall attacked with new heart and finished up one goal ahead in five.

The game was notable for the very promising display given by E. Duffield at centre-forward in place of T.E. Evans.

Southall lost the toss and kicked off against a strong wind away from the pavilion. Kimber had a clearance to make in the first few moments. After an unsuccessful run up the left by Boston, Southall returned to the attack and Marchant put across a centre which Bucci had to head out. Both teams were taking some time to get used to the wind, but Southall began to do most of the attacking.

A promising Golders Green movement was spoiled when, after Bucci had given a nice pass to Fallon, the latter kicked too far ahead and the ball went harmlessly behind.

Back at the home end once more George tried to clear out to his left, but the ball went to Leahy, who centred finely. Graves diverted the ball with his head and Kimber gathered and cleared.

Boston had two shots at the Southall goal, the second from a pass by Fallon. Green tried to gather the second shot and it rebounded to Duffield, who, surprised by the wind, put the ball outside the upright.

Golders Green were, we think, realising the necessity of shooting hard and often. They were at least trying.

Leahy got away, dangerously racing George, but he was stopped almost in the goalmouth by [W.?] Boston. A moment later Leahy put a shot right across the goal.

After 38 minutes Southall went down the field and Graves passed out to Leahy, who fired a hot shot as he came in which hit the crossbar and left Kimber standing. They nearly scored again a moment later.

Then followed a period during which it seemed that the valuable art of first-time shooting was lost as far as Golders Green was concerned. Until, just before half-time, Fallon did try a shot, but Green saved it.

Many people now regarded the game as finished. Southall were one ahead and now had the wind in their favour. No one expected what followed.

Only four minutes after the restart [F.] Boston gave to Duffield, who played around in midfield with the ball for a few moments and then took a long shot. The ball was forced down by the wind and went in over Green's hands. No one, we would think, was more surprised that Duffield.

But this was the beginning of a Golders Green revival. Five minutes later Breagan took the ball down the right touchline, passed in to Duffield, who gained ground with it and then gave to Browne. Browne breasted the ball past the goalkeeper into the net. And that made the score 2-1.

Golders Green continued to attack. Then came the turning point, rather less than halfway through the second " 45 ." Browne tried a shot. Green had to go down and could only push it aside. Boston was there unmarked and had an open goal to shoot into from three yards range. He missed!

The Golders Green attack began to degenerate. The pendulum was swinging over. Southall began to come back hard.

After thirty minutes of the second half Poxon brought the two teams level with a snap shot from a nice centre by Marchant which followed a corner on the left wing.

Golders Green went more and more on the defensive. But on one of their rare attacks Duffield passed to Boston, who tripped as he took the ball and shot wide. Boston fell hard and appeared seriously injured. However, after staying off for four or five minutes, he was able to return and play his part to the final whistle, though he had obviously not fully recovered.

Eight minutes before the end the ball went right across the goalmouth to Marchant, unmarked, who pushed in a low shot. And there they were, leading 3-2.

The home team did not entirely give up hope, and both Fallon and Bucci made rather forlorn attempts to score. But the closing minutes of the game were played out in midfield.

There was a distinct improvement in the play of Golders Green compared with their performance at Enfield. The late arrival of G. Bucci, the captain, led to cries of "Where's George?" but on taking his place he soon got down to business and throughout played a good game. The forwards also gave a better show, the wingers having their share of work, and doing it very well. Little or no fault could be found with the halves, but among supporters there is a strong difference of opinion as to whether who is the better man at right-back [should be left-back], George or Shorland.