Some big event by Golders Green has more than once been followed by a match in which they have not been seen at their best. We remember the occasion of the official opening of the ground at Claremont Road, when they experienced the utmost difficulty in beating a young club, Berkhampstead, in the F.A. Cup. On Saturday last there were distinguished visitors on the occasion of the official opening of the covered terracing on what is known as the popular side of the ground, and there were hopes that the visitors would have the pleasure of seeing Golders Green win their Athenian League match. Golders Green did not lose, but at the interval they were three goals down, and it was not until close on time that they succeeded in equalising the scores.

However, the gallant fight made by Golders Green with a team that was under strength perhaps afforded more pleasure than a runaway victory would have done. It was a thrilling game, played under deplorable conditions, it being almost impossible for men to keep their feet. It was not surprising to find that scoring was heavy in many games.

Golders Green had an unfamiliar front line. T. Berry was unable, through business reasons, to accept the offer to play at centre-forward in place of F.P. Evans, who has been given a rest, and it was filled by A. Broadis, the usual centre-half. A.J. Breagan had not recovered from his injury at Southend, and as T. Edwards was also unable to play the right wing was composed of F. Hodge and J. Edwards. The left wing was as usual, Drinkwater and T. Evans.

L.R. Ward, a Reserve player, was brought into the team at right-half, R. White going into the centre, with G. Bucci on the left. The other divisions were unaltered, A.C. Godding being in goal, and W.G. Boston and J.W. Richardson as backs. Romford, who occupied second place in the table, brought a strong side.

It is interesting to note that while Golders Green had in the field only three men (Richardson, Broadis and Drinkwater) who played in the home match with Romford last December, the visiting team was altered in only three places.

In the first half Golders Green had to defend the Hendon end and as events proved, this imposed a severe burden, all the six goals in the match being scored at that end. Defenders found it extremely difficult to counteract the muddy condition of the pitch in the penalty area, and mistakes were frequent. Godding had a severe task in the first 45 minutes, and though he was beaten three times it must be admitted that he did exceptionally well, many of his saves being very clever.

The new formation of Golders Green did not work well, and the occasions when they were really dangerous were few. Broadis was out of his element. He tried rushing tactics, but they did not come off, although once Peart was in danger of being barged over the goal-line.

The first goal came quite early in the game through Pyner, and in the struggle to prevent this success Bucci was injured, but happily not sufficient to cause him to leave the field. Without Bucci, Golders Green would have fared badly.

There was the prospect of an equalising goal through the combined efforts of Drinkwater and Broadis, but Hodge, taking up a pass, was rather too slow in getting in a shot, and could do no more than force a corner. Hodge, however, came in for some applause for really good work later, but two corners came to nothing.

Webb, at centre-forward, was responsible for Romford's second goal, Patterson, who found a clean patch from which to operate, giving him the pass; and despite brilliant work by Godding, Romford obtained a third goal through Pyner before the change-over.

Romford well deserved their lead. The forwards combined well, and set an example to Golders Green in the way of dealing with the ball on a heavy ground. On the Golders Green side there was too much tapping of the ball instead of thrustful kicking.

In the second half, however, we saw a complete transformation. Bucci and White changed places, the latter being obviously out of position as a pivot, with the result that instead of being almost entirely on the defensive they were attacking for the greater part of the time.

Soon after the restart Broadis was fouled in the penalty area, and taking the spot kick himself, reduced the lead.

This was just the incentive that Golders Green needed, and although we do not always see them at their best in an uphill fight, they certainly gave a forceful exhibition and caused the game to be intensely interesting.

The left wing was much the stronger, and Drinkwater's passes gave Romford much anxiety. Once Drinkwater was fouled just outside the penalty area, and though the free kick did not bring a goal, Peart was kept very busy. One of his best saves was from T. Evans, who certainly knows how to shoot. Through him came the second goal, Drinkwater giving a beautiful pass which made his task easy.

Excitement grew greater and greater, Romford striving hard to prevent the labours of the first half being wasted. They had a strong defence, but, as was the case with Golders Green men earlier on, they found it difficult to stand on the muddy pitch. Their gallant effort fiailed, however. In the last few minutes White found the net, and the game thus ended in a draw, a very fair result.

In view of the fact that the team had to undergo last minute changes, Golders Green can be congratulated on picking up one point after being three goals in arrears.