Golders Green opened their season with a friendly against Hitchin Town at Claremont Road, the result being 3 all. The figures give a correct impression of the run of the play. Though perhaps less scientific than Hitchin, the newly-constructed Golders Green put a good deal of vim into their play, and had their form in front of goal been equal to that in midfield, they would have won. But chances galore were thrown away.

Of those constituting last year's side, only three played in the match : A.J. Breagan at outside-right, and G. Bucci (who again acted as captain) and A. Broadis at half-back. C. Drinkwater was playing against Walthamstow Avenue (Athenian League champions) for the Rest of the League, and J.W. Richardson and F.P. Evans were on holiday. The others have gone elsewhere : Smith to Redhill, Knott to Margate, Spalton to Hayes, Rowe to Uxbridge, and Ellis to Park Royal. These defections may be felt for a while and many will be sorry to miss the faces of these old friends, but while it is early to judge, we do not think there is room for pessimism. R.[A.] White, who commenced last season with Golders Green Reserves and then secured a position in the first team with Park Royal, promises to maintain the half-back line at its old level, and with a strong trio of half-backs no club is likely to go to the wall. The form of L.C. Birch, also of Park Royal, was sufficient to justify hopes that he will fill the right-back position satisfactorily. Broadis and Bucci saved the side from defeat.

It may be thought that with Hitchin scoring three times Golders Green may feel the loss of Smith in goal, but one can safely say that two of Hitchin's goals would have been too difficult for nine amateur custodians out of ten. Moreover, Godding can depend on a safer pair of backs in future matches. One ot two of his saves were remarkably good.

With four new men in the front line one could not expect much cohesion, but the attack could not be described as utterly bad. Last week we had reason to speak well of Thackray, a young man from the Midlands who appeared at inside-right in the trial match. He confirmed our impression by scoring twice in this match. The same may be said of T. Evans (from P.O. Engineers) at inside-left.

At centre-forward T.H. Berry (from Millwall Albion) was a live wire, but is lacking in experience. A few matches with the Reserves may fit him to take the centre-forward position in the first team, although we hope the club may have the services of F.P. Evans (old maybe in years, but still a clever player) for some time to come. With him in the centre Golders Green would have won Saturday's game. Drinkwater was missed badly, Broomhead missing excellent chances, though playing creditably in midfield, but Rome was not built in a day, and we look forward to seeing him help Golders Green to many victories.

For a friendly match the "gate" was satisfactory, a good number of people using the new banking accommodation which has been erected by the Supporters' Association.

The opening play lacked incident, neither goalkeeper being seriously troubled for a long time, although Evans might have scored for Golders Green had he not stumbled a few yards out. The first shot worth noticing came from Breagan, but Cannon, who has been keeping goal for Hertfordshire for many years and appears as good as ever, made a clever save. Godding did equally well in clearing from King, Hitchin's outside-right. Another shot from the same quarter was headed out by Warne, one of his best pieces of work.

Half-an-hour of even play went by before a goal was scored, this being obtained by Thackray, who received the ball from the left wing. Naturally the scoring of the first goal of the season was received with applause. Berry missed the chance of adding another goal, and then Anderton, Hitchin's centre-forward, equalised, the half-time score being 1-1.

Play in the second half was more interesting, Golders Green developing into something like a team instead of eleven individuals. At no time, however, did they combine so well as Hitchin, although that was excusable seeing that the visiting side contained more of last season's side. Breagan put in several shots, but hardly good enough to beat such an experienced goalkeeper as Cannon.

Midway through this half Hitchin took the lead through a shot from Smith which gave Godding no chance. Golders Green were not dismayed, and for a time more than held their own, but were not favoured with the best of luck. Berry had a good chance from a centre by Breagan, but though this was not taken he had a hand in the next goal. Taking a run with the ball, he passed to Thackray at the opportune moment, Cannon being easily beaten.

This was decidedly encouraging, and when, shortly afterwards, Berry put Golders Green ahead from Breagan's pass it looked as if the local side would open the season with a victory. Towards the end, however, Smith put across another fine shot which proved too much for Godding, and the end came with the score 3-3, a fair result, as we have said.