A draw was not an unfair reflex of the run of this match at Hayes on Saturday. Hayes and Golders Green had to decide which should meet London Caledonians in the final of the Middlesex Charity Cup, and as the score was 1-1 at the end of ninety minutes, a replay is necessary. If Golders Green should win, the final may have to be postponed until next season. Every Saturday until the end of the season is booked, and we know that the Middlesex F.A. do not look kindly upon mid-week dates for charity matches.

On Saturday Hayes had the better of the first half, during which they scored their goal, but they were well out of the running upon ends being changed.

Following his usual practice, G. Bucci, the Golders Green captain, upon winning the toss, gave his opponents the advantage of the wind and sun, a doubtful policy. In the second half the wind was less strong and the sun less troublesome.

This was the third meeting of the clubs this season. Golders Green had won both League games and looked to be winning this after they had equalised. They gave Holding, the Hayes goalkeeper, a troublesome time, and for so experienced a player he fumbled the ball badly. However, Golders Green's attack was not too powerful, and in the hope of making it effective Fallon changed places with T.E. Evans. The move brought about an improvement, a goal soon resulting.

Golders Green lacked the help at right-half of J. Bloxham, for whom J. Shorland made a very good substitute, but while Bucci and Broadis played soundly, the defence as a whole was not quite up to the standard that we look for. Kimber, in goal, took a little time to settle down, but then he was on top form, and dealt with all manner of shots very capably. On the run of the play Hayes should have had a substantial lead at the interval : that they scored no more than once was a tribute to Kimber.

The early work by Golders Green included some fine stoppages by Bucci, who has lost little of his ability with advancing years, and one head-dive by Shorland, whose style of play always looks somewhat dangerous. But he survives.

At the end of ten minutes Hayes scored through Townsend, after Hunter, at outside-left, had struck the far post. The ball rebounded onto the other post before Townsend gave the final touch.

It was a well-deserved goal, and was a source of encouragement to Hunter, who proved much more effective than Potts, the other winger. He missed several chances - one a real "sitter" - and in course of time he took up a new position.

Golders Green's front rank did not work well together. They could not find each other, and passes were continually going astray. Good shots weere few : one of the best came from Browne, who with advantage might have tried more frequently. Hayes had at left-back a comparative newcomer in Bamford, but he was an outstanding man. He and Atkins were largely responsible for breaking up Golders Green's attacks.

In the second half we saw play from Golders Green of a much more impressive type. There was improvement in the case of almost every player, if we except Kimber, and that was because he was not badly tested. The wingers were more effective and got the ball across much more accurately. One shot by F. Boston led to a corner, which was well-placed, but Fallon shot over.. On another occasion a fine movement started by F. Boston led to the ball being placed into Holding's hands, not for the last time by any means.

One piece of work by Hayes deserves special mention. Starting almost from his own goal, Bamford beat three or four opponents, and though he failed in his objective he earned applause from all quarters.

Twenty minutes from the end Golders Green equalised through Fallon, who found the net from a beautifully-placed corner by Breagan. This goal was the culminating point of much clever work. There had been occasions when the passing was almost perfect.

The remainder of the game continued in favour of Golders Green, who, however, could not score again. Fallon had one of the best chances when he headed into Holding's hands at close range.

During the last quarter-of-an-hour Holding cleared several times with great difficulty. In the closing minutes Friady shot over the bar - a great chance missed - but had he scored it wold have been hard for Golders Green, who, though not playing one of their best games, did not deserve to lose.

There was a good crowd to witness the match, and though they appeared to enjoy it there was prevalent an end-of-the-season air. One felt there was not that zest which is found in early-season Cup-ties.