As was the case last season, the odd goal is playing a big part in Golders Green matches. Last year they lost match after match by the barest of margins; this year five of the League games in which they have taken part have been decided by the odd goal, but in three cases Golders Green have been winners.

On Saturday, at Enfield, they won by two goals to one, this being their fifth successive win in the League, and incidentally Enfield's first defeat of the season. Moreover, Enfield's defence had only been pierced four times in ten games, and they had not lost a goal on their own ground.

The victory gained by Golders Green was therefore of exceptional value. Enfield, owing to Walthamstow's win over Southall, are now deprived of the premier position, but with one game in hand they still lead Golders Green by one point. Golders Green's splendid recovery after losing the first three League games has, however, demonstrated that the team at the moment is quite up to last season's strength.

This run of successes comes at a time when the Club is entering upon Cup-tie engagements, and the win on Saturday will give them encouragement at Ilford tomorrow, when they look forward to entering the competition proper of the F.A. Cup.

Following their long run of successes, Enfield are getting improved gates, the attendance on Saturday being the largest we have seen there when Golders Green have been playing. And what a game was witnessed! We had a fast and exceptionally clean fight between two well-matched sides, the result being in doubt right until the end.

It may be urged by Enfield supporters that Golders Green were lucky to win. That may be so if one takes into account the fierceness of attacks, but defence is a factor as important as offence, and it would be difficult to appraise too highly the sterling work done by Godding in goal, Richardson and Boston as backs, and by the half-back line, White, Broadis and Bucci. Incidentally, both of Golders Green's goals came from half-backs.

On several occasions it seemed that the raids made by Enfield forwards, of whom the wingers were particularly prominent, must produce goals, but they could not score until well towards the end.

Then we saw a lovely goal by Enfield as the result of a fine pass by Graves, at outside-left. Green timed his pass very accurately, and with his head he defeated Godding. If there is one man Golders Green have to fear it is Green, who, despite long years of service, is still a thorn in their side. It was from his pass that Golders Green dropped two League points at Claremont Road in September.

The opening stages were in favour of Enfield, for whom Johnson, at one time in the ranks of Golders Green and now captain of Enfield, was early prominent. Godding cleverly cleared a fine ground shot, and then coped successfully with a hard drive by Magner.

The first attack of note by Golders Green came from the left wing, where T. Evans was getting applause for his persistency. He is a young man who, when beaten, never loses heart, and is making Drinkwater a good partner. Drinkwater sent in the first decent shot, but by no means one of his best, and then Enfield took up the running again, the crossbar being struck. Golders Green got the first corner, and later Edwards, who throughout gave one of his best performances, put in a shot just wide of the mark.

Fifteen minutes from the start came an incident which had a big bearing on the result. Enfield handled in the penalty area, and with the free kick Broadis sent the ball into the net just under the bar.

After this there was a big struggle by Enfield. They were certainly more aggressive than Golders Green, who were not too well served at centre-forward. Richardson at this period was a tower of strength, and one could not fail to note the continued improvement in the play of Boston, whose judgment was sound. Nothwithstanding their capabilities, however, Godding had a worrying time. Shots came at him from all angles, but he had a keen sense of anticipation and baffled Magner and his wingers time after time.

The interval arrived with the score 1-0 in favour of Golders Green.

After changing ends Enfield took up the attack and with Godding out of position a goal seemed inevitable. However, one of the defenders - it appeared to be Boston - headed out and the subsequent corner kick came to nothing.

Twelve minutes from the restart Bucci scored Golders Green's second goal with a great shot after others had tried to beat Greygoose, who, like Godding, had shown himself to be a clever goalkeeper.

This looked as though Golders Green would now have an easy passage, but such was not the case, Green in particular being very persistent for Enfield. With a back less efficient than Richardson to face, anything might have happened.

F. Evans made one or two good attempts to add to Golders Green's score, but Preston, the Enfield pivot, kept him well in hand, and we had to look to other men to get within shooting distance. Edwards initiated many good movements.

With a quarter-of-an-hour to go, Enfield scored their only goal, Green heading through from a pass by Graves. No one could begrudge them this goal after so many attacks had borne no fruit.

With a chance of preserving their undefeated record, Enfield threw themselves wholeheartedly into the fight, one shot by Magner calling for special mention. Godding, however, was not to be beaten again. Other defenders were also on their mettle, but there is no disguising the fact that the big contingent from Golders Green felt relief when the whistle went for the last time.

Without wishing to emphasise a weakness in the side, it should be mentioned that a pass by Drinkwater in the closing stages ought to have been converted.

If we can judge by Saturday's game, Enfield well deserve their high position in the League. The team seems sound in every department, and despite this lapse we expect to see them well in the running for League honours.