Golders Green did remarkably well to avoid defeat by more than one goal at Barking on Saturday, bearing in mind that they had been engaged in a Cup-tie two days earlier, while Barking came fresh on the field through inability to fix up a game the previous Saturday.

For an hour Golders Green's defence held out. Then Matthews scored for Barking, this being followed by another goal by [R.] Mayes. A few minutes from the end Edwards scored for Golders Green, and thus put a better complexion on matters than the run of the game really justified. Barking had much more of the play than the score represents. Happily for Golders Green Godding, in goal, was in remarkably good form. We do not remember seeing him in better fettle.

On the other hand, Wilson, the Barking goalkeeper, was seldom given anxiety. There were a few occasions in the first half when it seemed that Golders Green might bring off a surprise, but after the first goal had been scored the issue was never in doubt. The Barking forwards were far superior to the visiting line, and it is to the defence that we must give the tribute for keeping the margin between the sides to a goal. Even the defence did not seem quite so sound as it has been in recent games.

We do not think, however, that the defeat need cause alarm. Barking came on the field with an undefeated League record, and with the team doing duty on Saturday are likely to be well in the running for championship honours.

Barking had the best of the opening stages, and a long pass to Shillito at outside-right (who proved to be a thorn in the flesh throughout) looked dangerous. Bucci, however, intervened, but in order to clear he thought well to send the ball back to Godding, who was not unprepared. Godding was kept pretty busy, shots coming from both wings, but the first really good opportunity to score came to Golders Green. [F.P.] Evans made one of his electrifying runs and it looked as though he could not fail. Gentry, however, stepped in, and Evans's final effort was weak. There was a suspicion of offside, but the referee waved for Evans to go on.

This disappointment did not deter Golders Green, who for a time quite held their own, an effort by Drinkwater giving Wilson some trouble, while Breagan put in one or two worthy shots.

Neither side took things easily. There was some good hard charging, and though both sides were penalised, it was by no means an unclean game, and the battle aroused considerable enthusiasm, Golders Green not being without considerable support.

The fact that Golders Green had to play in green shirts instead of their usual blue and white hoops (which are Barking's colours) was some handicap and caused a little confusion. On more than one occasion cheers deserved by a Barking man were given to a Golders Green player, and vice versa.

In few games have the Golders Green halves had to do so much tackling, and Broadis shone in this respect. He stopped many dangerous movements, as did Bucci and White.

The forwards seldom looked like scoring. There was no harder worker than T.E. Evans, but something more than dash was required to beat Barking's solid defence, Gentry, at right-back, being outstanding.

No corner was taken until 35 minutes had elapsed. This fell to Golders Green, but it was of no value except to give them a little encouragement. From that time until the changeover they slightly more than held their own. A free kick for hands against Barking just outside the penalty line was taken by Broadis, but the defence prevailed. Half-time arrived with no goals scored.

The conditions had told more against Golders Green than against Barking, but for 12 minutes there was a ding-dong battle for supremacy. The Barking backs very cleverly put Breagan and others offside on several occasions, but they ran a great risk, the referee refusing to allow some appeals.

However, Barking at last managed to beat Godding, Matthews converting a centre by Mayes. This was a splenidid goal, as Matthews scored while lying on the gound where he had fallen after his first effort.

Five minutes later (Wilson having in the meantime saved a difficult shot by F. Evans) Butterworth gave to [R.] Mayes, who scored with a hard drive that had Godding completely beaten.

Barking looked set for another when Shillito sent across to Mayes. Mayes passed across the goalmouth and Matthews missed by inches. Then Shillito tested Godding with a hard shot which he pushed against the post. From the rebound Shillito shot over the bar.

Midway through the second half Matthews had to leave the field through a knee injury, but his absence was not noticeable, Barking, though one short, still doing a good deal of pressing.

A few minutes before the end Edwards, who is not conspicuously successful as a marksman though useful to others, scored with a good shot, thus leaving the result 2-1 in favour of Barking.

Barking well deserved their victory, but the Golders Green team earned the admiration of the crowd for their spirited play, it being considered one of the best games seen there for a long time.