Perhaps the most important feature of the return friendly between Hitchin Town and Golders Green at Hitchin on Saturday was the display given by Godding in goal for the visitors. Those who feared that Golders Green would suffer by the defection of S.R. Smith need not be alarmed if we can judge Godding by his work in this match. For the greater part of the second half he was under heavy pressure, but he saved almost miraculously on occasions. True he has been beaten seven times in two matches against Hitchin, but the fault is not his. Golders Green have not yet adequately filled R. Ellis's place at right-back. They had hoped to play F.H. Dean (a former player) in that position on Saturday, but he was not available. D. Lennard, a reserve, did his best, but the task was too much for him. Fortunately Jack Richardson, who was absent the previous week, was in fine form. Had he not been, there would have been a debacle.

A. Moore, who had been highly recommended, had been selected for inside-right, but he did not appear, and this caused a reshuffling of the side, George Bucci, once again captain, going into the front line to partner Breagan, and J. Weeks coming in at left-half.

Bucci in his time has played in practically every position, and as an inside forward he did not let his side down, but the half-back line suffered, and to a weakness in that line can be traced the inability to record a win despite the fact that some time before the end of the first half Golders Green led by three goals to none. R. White, at right-half, has the makings of a good player, but his habit of wandering far from his proper position when there is no occasion to do so must be overcome if he wishes to give his side full value. One of the most dangerous men on Hitchin's side was J.C.R. Smith at outside left. The fact that he scored two goals at Claremont Road should have been a warning to White, but instead of heeding it he often left Smith unmarked.

The forward line was strengthened by the return of F.P. Evans and C. Drinkwater, who between them scored three of the goals. The fourth came from Bucci, although we think the ball must have touched an opponent before it found the net.

F. Evans played brilliantly in the first half, but after that he was more or less a marked man, and found it hard to get near enough to shoot. Drinkwater in the early stages played very cleverly, but here again the Hitchin defence got used to his tactics, and he was far less effective in the second half. There were times when dribbling instead of putting the ball across cost dearly.

For the first half-an-hour Golders Green were infinitely the better side, and the few stalwarts who took the long journey to Hitchin began to think that an effective team had been chosen. But there was another story. Having scored three goals, Golders Green looked easy winners, but after Hitchin had once found the net they never looked back, and in the closing stages the visitors had to fight desperately hard to save the game.

The turn of the tide seemed to come when a penalty kick was awarded against Broadis, who strongly protested that he had charged unfairly. A goal from the free kick seemed to have an unsettling effect upon the side.

Hitchin had a slight disadvantage in having to face the sun in the first half, but this did not altogether account for the way in which they were overpowered. Two minutes from the start Golders Green scored through F. Evans, a fine goal brought about with the co-operation of Bucci and Breagan.

Hitchin replied with an attack on the right, Broadis's head work preventing Godding being troubled. As a matter of fact, Godding had little to do for some time, but when he was called upon he handled the ball confidently.

Considering there were two new men in the front line, the combination was pretty and effective, T.E. Evans giving promise of being helpful to Drinkwater.

At the end of twenty minutes came Golders Green's second goal, again through Freddy Evans. It was a goal similar to dozens that have come from him. Securing in midfield, he ran towards goal and feigning to pass to the wing, deceived the back, and easily beat the goalkeeper.

Drinkwater obtained the third goal after Cannon, the Hitchin captain, had saved from F. Evans, and at this point nothing but a handsome victory for Golders Green seemed possible.

But Hitchin, who had never showed signs of slackness, then began to get the measure of Golders Green, and they got no more than they deserved when Clarke, at inside-left, beat Godding with a good shot. Soon after came the penalty kick referred to, and the interval arrived with Golders Green leading 3-2.

Shortly after the interval Anderton equalised for Hitchin, and despite good work by Godding, one of his saves low down being of the highest order, Smith, left unmarked, gave Hitchin the lead.

Little need be said of the subsequent play save that there was no comparison between the sides. Had League points or progress in a Cup competition been at stake the position would have been serious. Cannon was seldom troubled; on the other hand, but for the heroic efforts of Richardson and Godding, the virile Hitchin forwards would have piled up a big score. Golders Green, however, scored an equalising goal through Bucci just on time and so ended a game which no one would have thought was a mere "friendly."

Hitchin were delighted with their reception at Claremont Road, and we can say that the courtesy they received was returned. Both matches have proved very enjoyable, and we expect an effort will be made to meet one another when vacant dates arise.