There was an excellent "gate" at the Finchley ground in Summers Lane on Monday evening, when Golders Green met the London Caledonians in the final of the Middlesex Charity Cup.

The game as a spectacle was disappointing. Golders Green started off with a bang and for a time seemed likely to register a runaway victory. Luck, however, did not run their way. They began by scoring twice, had two goals disallowed, and altogether monopolised the play. After the interval, however, their attack, which had previously been fast-moving and dangerous, lost most of its sting, and the only real thrill in a dull second half was another disallowed goal.

While according Golders Green their full meed of praise it is impossible to ignore the fact that nothing so innocuous as the Calies' attack has been seen on the Finchley ground this season, and Kimber did not have one hard shot to stop throughout the match.

Outstanding players on Golders Green's side were G. Bucci (the captain), C.V. George and F. Boston. How much the " G's " owe to the last-named it is difficult to say. Fast, tricky, and with an apparent ability to centre accurately from anywhere, he is also a deadly shot. He did all these things on Monday, and was the one chiefly responsible for the early panic among the Calies' defenders.

Behind him Bucci worked untiringly, opening up movement after movement. He was always in the thick of the fray and was seldom beaten.

Of the Golders Green forwards, in addition to Boston, Fallon started auspiciously, but later faded out, and had a very poor second half. Evans and Browne were also seen at their best early on, and Breagan only revealed his true form in flashes. He seemed to be troubled by the light ball.

Broadis and Shorland (who came in in place of Bloxham) with Bucci formed a half-back line which concentrated successfully on a constructive service to the forwards.

W. Boston and George were safe and kicked a good length. George has never played better for Golders Green.

The Calies were undoubtedly thrown out of their stride, as would have been almost any amateur team in the country, by the swift deadliness of the Golders Green forwards in the early stages of the match. Later their defence recovered, but their attack did not.

The game was fought in a very sporting spirit and the number of infringements was remarkably few. It was good to see Caira, the Calies' right-back, on one occasion pat Boston on the back when the Golders Green forward had beaten him and both players had fallen.

The Caledonians, like their opponents, made one last-minute change, Connors taking the outside-right berth in place of Lind.

The Calies won the toss and elected to play against the strong sun. They were soon prominent, but Kimber was able to come out and clear with plenty of time to spare.

Good work by Bucci resulted in the first Golders Green attack. The left-half sent Fallon away and the ball was swung out to Boston, whose shot was charged down.

A corner resulted and Boston put across a well-placed ball which eluded Best's grasp. Fallon headed into an apparently empty net, but Blair, the Calies' left-back, stopped the ball with his hands.

A penalty was rightly awarded and Broadis scored with a terrific drive. This was after only four minutes.

The game was very even after this, both sets of forwards being held up by safe defences. In one Golders Green attack Best fumbled the ball, but recovered quickly and cleared. At the other end Caira sent a free kick high over the bar.

The Golders Green forwards were the more dangerous when they got away and long swift passes out to the wings often had their opponents on the run. After 15 minutes they went further ahead. Again the goal followed a corner on the left. Boston placed the ball with absolute precision, Best jumped but could not get to it, and Fallon, standing behind him, had no difficulty in heading it into the net.

The Caledonians were now making only isolated attacks and Kimber was never seriously troubled. Golders Green got the ball into the net again soon afterwards, following brilliant work by Boston and Breagan, but the latter had apparently carried it over the line before centreing and a goal kick resulted.

A shout of "goal" went up again when Evans turned a shot from Boston wide of Best with his head. As before the point was disallowed, this time for offside against Browne.

The "G's" monopolised the game and forced two corners in quick succession, though without tangible result. Then Browne sent a pile-driver into the side netting.

The Calies could do nothing right. Their forwards lacked cleverness in midfield and finished badly. Their defence was rattled and frequently gave away corners unnecessarily.

Had the Golders Green forwards been less eager they might have been five goals up. An example of this was when Fallon tried to smash the back of the net by taking a centre on the half-volley instead of trapping it first, as he had time to do. He sent the ball high over the bar.

Boston was consistently dangerous and once rounded Caira to shoot from a practically impossible angle. Best had the ball covered, but could not hold it, and it was scrambled away with no time to spare.

A moment later beautiful work by Fallon gave Boston a chance, but the winger's shot was wide. Golders Green came again and Fallon was practically through. He was hampered by [D.] Blair and passed across to Boston, whose shot, made off an awkwardly bouncing ball, was charged down somewhat luckily.

Half-time: Golders Green 2, London Caledonians 0.

On the resumption the Calies attacked rather weakly and were easily repulsed. Golders Green seemed to have lost some of their early dash, but Boston was as active as ever, and Fallon took one of his swift centres on his head. Best, however, saved easily.

Play after this was very dull and uneventful. The first real thrill of the half was after about a quarter-of-an-hour, when, after Breagan had beaten Blair, Browne crossed the ball to Fallon. The Golders Green centre, five yards from the goal, and with no one near him, tried to head the ball in as it bounced across, and missed it completely.

The Caledonians made their first dangerous attack of the game, but George got his foot to a shot from R. Blair which looked as if it might have beaten Kimber. He steered it clear of the upright and the corner was cleared.

With about ten minutes left for play Wright, the Calies' left-half, was carried off after a collision with Evans. Golders Green continued to attack and Best saved at full length from the right winger. Wright returned to the field and almost immediately Fallon netted with a fast drive only to be given offside.

Just before time Golders Green attacked hard and Boston struck the upright with a terrific drive. The final whistle came with the " G's " still pressing.

The cup was presented amid much cheering to George Bucci, the Golders Green captain, by Mr. Bob Allaway, who was introduced to the crowd by Mr. W.W. Heard, hon. secretary of the Middlesex Football Association.

Mr. Heard said they had seen an excellent game, and in making a passing reference to the number of ladies present, he said he felt quite sure it was the influence of the ladies that had brought football to the state of perfection it was today. He also spoke of the great part Mr. Allaway had played by fostering football on the Continent as secretary of the Middlesex Wanderers.

Mr. Allaway then presented the cup, and upon Bucci being called for a speech he said he hoped all had enjoyed the match. The losers deserved a cheer for putting up such a hard game.