Among the surprises in amateur football on Saturday was Golders Green's victory on the Leyton ground. Drawn to meet one another in the first round of the competition proper of the Amateur Cup, Golders Green and Leyton had shared four goals at Claremont Road the previous week, and having failed to force a victory on their own ground, it was felt that they could do no other than fail to jump the first hurdle, seeing that in a League match earlier in the season they had only just escaped a double-digit defeat. But calculations were upset. By three goals to none Golders Green earned the right to visit Barking in the second round. If the figures flattered Golders Green, they were undoubtedly the better side in the second half, when all the goals were scored. This was freely admitted by officials of the Leyton club, who took the defeat philosophically.

Leyton's record, printed on Saturday's programme, is very imposing; far more so than that of Golders Green. With the exception of the F.A. Cup, Leyton have won most of the competitions in which they have entered. Four times they have reached the final of the Amateur Cup, and they won the trophy in 1927-8 and 1928-9.

There was an attendance of about 5,000 at Saturday's match, almost double the number present the previous week. There was, as is now usual at away games, a good contingent from Golders Green, who made the welkin ring when the players left the field after the final whistle. Particularly loud was the applause for G.L. Kimber, the visiting goalkeeper, for keeping a clean sheet under heavy pressure.

Compared with the teams in the first match there were two changes. For Golders Green T.E. Evans took the place of M. Fallon at inside-left; and Leyton substituted J. Gregory for W.V. Gibbins at inside-right. Gibbins, who is captain of Leyton, had not recovered from an injury.

The winning of the toss was an important factor in view of a strong wind from goal to goal, and this went in favour of Leyton. It was not surprising, therefore, to find them having the better of the game in the first half, although, as already stated, scoring was confined to the second portion. This indicated that the Golders Green defenders shouldered their burden manfully, but it must be admitted that if the shooting of the Leyton forwards had been of the standard expected from such a much-vaunted line they must have scored two or three times. Their best forwards were the wingers. Burns, the International, did nothing outstanding, and Broadis was bent on seeing that Lock, at centre-forward, had not much scope.

As a matter of fact, it was largely due to the Golders Green half-backs that Leyton failed to score. They broke up the combination time after time, and avoided undue pressure on the backs. Left-back was regarded as the weak spot, but Shorland realised his responsibility, and did not take undue risks.

Kimber was no doubt thankful to see many shots go high over the bar; others went direct into his hands, but there were times when it looked as if nothing could prevent a goal. But Kimber was the personification of coolness. Though surrounded by opponents he never lost command of himself, and we had from him an exhibition of goalkeeping that we had not seen from a Golders Green player for some time.

It was well this was so, because in the first half there was little in Golders Green's attack to inspire confidence. Browne was the best of the five, but he needed a much drier pitch to be fully effective. The ball did not run kindly for Breagan, and when he did get possession he made poor use of his opportunities. On the other wing Boston was not quite his usual self, although he put in some good centres. Walker, when the occasion warranted it, played an individual part, but found a heavy patch of ground not far from the goal a handicap. He also developed lameness, but fortunately he was not obliged to leave the field.

With a blank sheet at the interval, Golders Green could well afford to be pleased.

There was a surprising turn of affairs soon after the restart. Within eight minutes Golders Green were two goals up, and their work in this period practically settled the issue.

The first goal was scored by Walker almost from the kick-off with the co-operation of Breagan and Browne, the passing which brought the ball to Walker being far too effective for Leyton's defenders.

Naturally this goal had a beneficial effect on the visiting side. We saw Breagan in greatly improved form, as indeed were several others, and for a time Leyton could make no headway. Browne, from whom we had seen dazzling footwork, sent the ball over the bar when well placed, but shortly afterwards he passed out to Breagan, who returned the pass to Browne to place a second goal to Golders Green's credit.

It was hardly to be expected that Leyton would knuckle under without making a big effort, and it must be admitted that they responded nobly to the calls of their disappointed supporters. First one side and then the other would attack. Golders Green were by no means safe even with two goals in hand, but instead of being the inferior side, as in the first half, they stuck grimly to their lead and showed improvement in play to a greater degree than Leyton. C. Brown, Leyton's clever outside-right, was a constant source of danger, but Shorland kept up his end remarkably well, although, like some of the other players, he began to look tired some time before the end.

Golders Green conceded several corners, but though most of these were well placed, Kimber could not be beaten.

A third goal, this time by F. Boston from a long pass by Breagan, put the issue beyond doubt, and the rapid way in which the crowd left the field without waiting for the final whistle told how things had gone.

Despite the fact that Leyton have had a patchy season - they are half-way down the Athenian League - it was a good performance on the part of Golders Green to beat them so handsomely on their own ground. It was a victory, moreover, in which all eleven players could feel that they had done their share in obtaining.

Kimber put up his finest performance since joining the club, and if we may name another it is George Bucci, the captain, who rallied his men when it was needed, and moreover set them an excellent example in tactics. Evans justified his inclusion, although circumstances have arisen which may recall Fallon to the attack.