By a goal scored five minutes before the interval, Enfield won the Athenian League match at Claremont Road, played before a smaller crowd than usual owing to heavy rain just before the kick-off.

Enfield came with an undeafeated record; on the other hand Golders Green had failed to score a win, two friendlies having been drawn and two League games lost. Under the circumstances it might seem that Golders Green did well to run Enfield to a goal, but if they cannot win home games they cannot expect to be anywhere near the top of the table when the day of reckoning comes.

As a matter of fact, they should have made sure of success in the first half, during which they had quite three-fourths of the game in their favour. The forwards were to blame. They had plenty of chances, but we have scarcely seen them less inclined to shoot. Pattern-weaving seldom pays; when the ground is in a heavy and greasy condition as it was on Saturday, close passing against a sterling pair of backs leads to disaster.

Remembering how badly Golders Green fared at the beginning of last season and yet finished in a blaze of glory, three successive League defeats may not be taken too seriously, but unquestionably some scoring forwards are needed. We cannot but think that the present line are capable of doing much better than they did on Saturday. There will be another big test tomorrow when Redhill will be at Claremont Road, and if they again fail, it will be up to the committee to take drastic steps.

The injury sustained by R. White at Barnet kept him out of the side, his place at right-half being filled by L.R. Ward, who did sufficiently well to justify another appearance should White be still incapacitated. A notable absentee on the Enfield side was F.R. Johnson who was involved in a motor accident near the Golders Green ground the previous Thursday. He is a former member of the Golders Green team.

Golders Green opened the game in a manner which held out high promise. With the wind in their favour they were soon troubling Enfield's defence, Breagan, Evans and Bucci being conspicuous in attack. Profiting by experience, a keen eye was kept upon the Enfield veteran, Wally Green, at outside-right, and Broadis neatly checked his first dangerous movement.

Maskell and Lawrence soon proved their worth as backs, but [F.] Boston, at outside-left for Golders Green, managed to get the better of his man more than once, and one could not fail to notice his ability to send in left-foot drives without the slightest hesitation. He is one of those players who does not waste time in placing a ball.

The combination of the home side left little to be desired, but annoyance was felt when time and again this pretty work came to naught, and there were frequent appeals to the players to shoot. One centre by [F.] Boston almost brought a goal, but Evans was slightly too far forward to take advantage of the opening. Finding the forwards could not score, Bucci and Broadis, from the half-back line, tried to put a little ginger into the attack, which seemed to get weaker and weaker, and Greygoose did well to save one from the captain, Bucci, who was displaying wonderfully good form. At the other end, Godding, who had not had a great deal of work, was responsible for clearing a fine ground shot by Magner; and a minute or two later Richardson, who was also kicking splendidly, cleared when a goal seemed certain. Another good shot by Buuci was within inches of going through. It looked as though Greygoose had tipped it over the bar, but no corner was given.

Just on half-time came the goal which meant defeat for Golders Green. Racing down the right wing, Green sent in a perfect pass which Foss utilised, Godding having no chance.

Then came the interval, the cup of tea being taken while lamenting the chances Golders Green had lost. On the run of the play they ought to have established a winning lead, notwithstanding the defensive powers of Enfield.

Golders Green's chances of recovering lost ground were reduced when it was found that Bucci had injured his back, and as a result had thought it well to take a less strenuous position at outside-left upon resuming. Drinkwater dropped back into the half-back line and [F.] Boston was inside to Bucci.

Under the circumstances one would have thought Bucci would have been given the ball as little as possible and that more dependence would have been placed upon the right wing. But the reverse was the case. It may have been partly due to the wind, but the position was not fully grasped.

Enfield had the better of the game for some time, one shot by Graves striking the crossbar. Evans was too closely watched to get really dangerous, but there was a chance of his getting through when he was fouled just outside the peanlty line. Broadis took the free kick but it yielded only a corner. Thhis was not the only time Evans was the victim of unfair play, and one regretted that the referee found it necessary to pull Enfield up rather frequently.

Though handicapped, Bucci put in a good deal of useful work, and it was hard luck for Golders Green when he just failed to score from Breagan's centre. This was one of the best efforts this half.

Enfield did not get away very often, but their attacks were more dangerous than those of the home side. Foss missed by inches, and a long shot by Magner was worthy of his reputation.

In the closing stages Golders Green worked desperately for an equaliser, but it did not come, and thus they have the unenviable position of being linked with Wealdstone and Uxbridge at the foot of the League table.