We have watched many games between Golders Green and Barking, and invariably they have provided excellent fare, but the match on Saturday contained ingredients which made it very unsatisfying. Golders Green won by two goals to none, but not the most rabid supporter of the club would be prepared to say that they gave a good exhibition save, perhaps, those whose main duty it was to save goals rather than to score them. This was the first occasion Golders Green had kept a clean sheet since the club won at Worthing in January, but we do not think they would have kept out the Barking forwards had they not been handicapped by the withdrawal of E. Butterworth to take the place of J.J. Wilson in goal. Even with four forwards Barking were more dangerous in attack than Golders Green, weakness by the inside forwards being again apparent.

We have referred to the withdrawal of Wilson, the Barking goalkeeper. In the first half he had the misfortune to receive a nasty cut over the eye, which necessitated a visit to hospital for treatment. After the interval he resumed play, to the accompaniment of encouraging cheers, but he had not done so for long before he was ordered off the field by the referee, who awarded a penalty kick against Barking. The reason for the referee's action was not very clear to the majority of the onlookers, but it is stated it was for an alleged offence on Drinkwater. The incident occurred in the goalmouth, and the referee was in a good position to see what was happening.

The penalty kick was taken by Broadis, Butterworth, who had donned the goalkeeper's jersey for the second time, just touching the ball as it passed into the net.

There was no score in the first half, in which Barking had somewhat the better of the play, even when they had lost the services of Wilson. Much of the play was uninteresting, the ball going over the touchline far more frequently than was necessary. This led to a suggestion quite early in the game that Barking, the chief offenders, were playing for a draw.

Drinkwater was prominent in Golders Green's attack, and as a result came in for close attention. Once he was fouled just outside the penalty area, and Barking were fortunate in preventing a goal being scored at this stage. The long kicks by Richardson - one almost the length of the field - were a feature of the play, but one waited in vain to see anything like a deadly onslaught on the Barking goal, the best effort coming from Breagan.

When Wilson left the field owing to the cut over his eye, it was thought that Golders Green would be able to take the lead, but while they sent in a great many shots, most of them lacked sting, and as the game proceeded Butterworth, the deputy goalkeeper, gained confidence.

The second half was opened with Barking still without Wilson, but though one short Barking were the superior side. For some reason or other the home players seemed to forget that Drinkwater was in the team, as he was given few openings, although in the first half he had proved the most dangerous forward. At length the opportunity came to him of getting across a perfect centre, but the chance was thrown away by the inside men.

With the return of Wilson in goal, Barking attacked strongly, E. Smith, at centre-half, making a good effort with a free kick, while Shillito was a dangerous right winger. But Godding, Richardson and Boston played a fine defensive game, and the smart work of the Barking forwards came to naught.

Then came the incident which proved the deciding factor in the match. Following a free kick taken by Bucci, there was a melee in the goalmouth, and it ended with the referee ordering Wilson off the field. Some time elapsed before the resultant penalty kick could be taken, as Butterworth had to change his jersey for the second time and some of the Barking players were inclined to resent the referee's decision.

Following the goal from the spot kick Barking pressed, but their shooting was rather erratic. From a centre by Drinkwater, Golders Green scored again through Breagan about ten minutes from time, but one could not go into ecstasies over this goal.

There was no further scoring, and so Barking lost a match wich may cost them the championship.

Golders Green have to thank the defence for getting them two points which gives them a very respectable position in the League table. The absence of J.W. Bloxham at right-half was felt, but it was in the forward line that weaknesses were most pronounced.