On paper Golders Green may seem to have done exceptionally well in sharing points in the Athenian League game at Leyton on Saturday, but if the truth must be told they gave a most disappointing display.

Leyton had the misfortune to lose the services of T. Holding, their goalkeeper, midway through the first half. He had to leave the field through an injury to his hand - it is said two fingers were fractured - and his place was filled by C.F. Mercer, the left-half. The accident occurred when Drinkwater was scoring an equalising goal, Boatwright having found the net fairly early in the game.

The loss of a goalkeeper means more to a team than perhaps any other player, but Mercer proved a good substitute, and was only beaten once. He will, however, be the first to admit that he was not severely tested. There were hopes that Golders Green would show something of the form that had been seen the previous week against Walthamstow, but it fell very far short of it. Even with ten men Leyton overpowered Golders Green, and at the close any unprejudiced person could not fail to sympathise with Leyton in being deprived of victory. We have seen few games in which the uprights and crossbars have been hit more frequently, but these hard shots did not come from the Golders Green forwards, who seemed to think that Mercer, the substitute goalkeeper, ought to be treated kindly.

It is true that after muffing the shot which brought Leyton their first goal, Godding made some wonderfully good saves, but Leyton were responsible for practically all the good movements that were seen, and if the loss of one point in this game deprives them of the League championship (at the moment they head the table) they will deserve sympathy.

With the exception that L. Muncer, the Middlesex cricketer, took the place of T.E. Edwards, Golders Green's team was the same as in the Walthamstow Avenue match, but Leyton made three changes from the advertised side, the absentees being E.C. Collins, W.V. Robins (left-wing forwards) and H.J. Marley.

Golders Green had the benefit of the wind in the first half, and for a little while had the bigger share of the play, one of the best shots coming from Bucci, following a free kick taken by Broadis. Then we saw a good understanding between Muncer and Breagan, but effective work came to an end with an offside decision. Sarjeant, Leyton's outside-left, who has been their most prolific scorer, gave Bucci much trouble and sent in several good shots, but it was his partner, Boatwright, who scored the opening goal. Godding stopped the shot but dropped the ball, which crossed the line. It was admittedly a hard shot, but should have been cleared.

This unfortunate incident did not unduly depress Golders Green, who soon equalised. Following a free kick, just outside the penalty area, taken by Broadis, there was another movement started by Bloxham, and this ended in a goal by Drinkwater. At first it was though that Holding had been quite as much at fault as Godding had been when Leyton scored, but when Holding showed signs of distress and was escorted off the field one gathered that he was entitled to sympathy rather than blame. It was discovered that in trying to clear his hand had been badly injured.

A short consultation by the Leyton players ended in Mercer changing his shirt and going into goal.

With Leyton thus handicapped, it was expected that Golders Green would forge ahead, but instead of pressing home the advantage they had through Leyton's misfortune, the attacking was chiefly from the depleted team. One fine shot by Boatwright seemed to go home, and many were surprised to find that the game was continued. Evidently the ball, after striking the post, had not crossed the line. This was one of several escapes for Golders Green. A little later, however, from a right wing pass, Boatwright gave Leyton the lead, which they retained until the interval. Just before the change-over Broadis left the playing pitch for a minute or two to receive first-aid treatment, and though he remained playing until the end it was evident that he was in pain.

As in the first half, Golders Green started the second period strongly and following a corner kick Drinkwater once more made the scores level. Muncer started the movement, but beyond this he was not an altogether satisfactory partner to Breagan, who, though not at his best, was the pick of the forwards.

No more goals were scored, although there were a few exceptional openings, one coming to Sarjeant close on time. As play continued Golders Green's efforts seemed to get feebler, and their display as a whole was in striking contrast to that on their last visit to the Leyton ground when they won handsomely by five goals to one.

M. Fallon, who was making his second appearance for Golders Green, was disappointing. He has an awkward style which makes it appear that he was fouling a player when we believe he has no intention of doing so. Several free kicks were given against him.