Golders Green were paid a compliment by being excused the qualifying rounds of the Amateur Cup, and had the satisfaction of getting a home match in the competition proper. But they failed to make use of this undoubted advantage, Enfield beating them on Saturday by two goals to one. This was the third meeting of the clubs this seasaon. Enfield have won twice, both by the odd goal, at Claremont Road, and Golders Green have won at Enfield, again by the barest margin.

The only gleam of satisfaction that can be obtained locally from Saturday's game was that Golders Green gave a slightly better display than against Nunhead a week earlier, but their show was by no means convincing, and Enfield's victory by the odd goal did not flatter them. They were, however, somewhat fortunate in regard to the last and deciding goal. Boston, who has proved a sound player at right-back, and on Saturday did as well as we have seen on any occasion, miskicked badly just before the end, and Magner, Enfield's smart centre-forward, took advantage of this by dashing towards goal and lobbing the ball out of Godding's reach. From some parts of the ground it looked as though the ball had gone over the bar.

Golders Green's team was strengthened by the return of Edwards and T.E. Evans, but the absence of White at right-half and Breagan at outside-right - both through injuries - was felt.

There was again a lack of punch in the team. Most of the players were far too slow in their movements, and the half-back line was not seen to such good advantage as we usually find it. The fault did not entirely lie with the forwards, who might reasonably have expected better passes. The visiting halves gave an object lesson in this respect.

Against one of the best forward lines we have seen at Claremont Road this season, Richardson and Boston did well, and we do not attach any blame to Godding for letting two shots through. The wonder is there were not more. Some goalkeepers might have saved the second; on the other hand, Godding often cleared when he could have been excused for not doing so.

Golders Green started well. T. Evans and Drinkwater had shots, but the best chance came to Thackray, at outside-right. Left unmarked in an excellent position, he shot wide. As the game advanced he showed better form, but the absence of a good winger ready to snap up chances was badly felt.

At inside-right Edwards made some clever movements, but he has not yet proved himself to be a deadly shot, and it was from the left wing that we chiefly looked for a goal. But we looked in vain, because Drinkwater was not so well fed as he might have been.

Magner gave Godding a shot which he did well to tip over the bar, but the centre-forward made a bad miss a little later. He had the easiest possible chance. Then Minter, at outside-left, must have felt disheartened when he saw his shot go across the front of goal. Godding just managed to touch it and concede a corner.

Enfield got the opening goal through Gaunt, at inside-left, who shot from a good distance out. After this Golders Green were seen in a better light, T. Evans and Edwards sending in good shots, while F. Evans was very persevering. Enfield covered their opponents well, and it was difficult to pierce the defence, but at last, with half-time drawing near, Golders Green equalised, a pass by Edwards enabling F. Evans to beat Greygoose.

Half-time came with the teams on level terms, although Magner should have given Enfield the lead for the second time.

Play in the second half was decidedly in favour of Golders Green, but opportunities were not turned to account. Luck was not on their side, but it is idle to put that forward as an excuse for failing to score. They were given several free kicks for infringements and also many from the corner flags, but a much stronger attack was needed to beat the defence. At centre-half S. Preston was particularly prominent.

An injury to T. Evans caused him to exchange places with Drinkwater. This seemed to bring about some improvement in attack, but there was disappointment after disappointment. Though unable to score, Golders Green had reasonable hopes that they would call for a replay, as the defence seemed to have no great difficulty in keeping up their end. Enfield, however, got the winning goal just before the end under circumstances we have named.

In justice to Enfield it should be said that Golders Green's goal was scored when Magner was off the field through a badly-cut lip.