In the A.F.A. cup replay at Claremont Road on Saturday, Golders Green defeated Winchmore Hill more comfortably than is suggested by the score of 3-1. Comfort, though, is hardly the word, for the ground was in a terrible condition and the game was at times a cross between football and water polo, reminiscent of the annual match on Canvey Island. Had conditions been more favourable, there is little doubt that Golders Green would have scored double figures, for they were superior in attack and defence and there was very little possibility of the visitors staging their habitual eleventh-hour rally, of which they gave an example the previous week, when the score was 4-4.

There were one or two changes in the announced team for Golders Green. F.P. Evans turning out enabled Marrable to move to inside-left, where he worked well with Drinkwater. Bucci remained at inside-right, and Weeks was retained in the half-back line, but Bob White was unable to play, and his place was taken by Joyce, who gave quite a good account of himself. The backs were more worried by the marsh than the opposing forwards, and Godding was by no means overworked.

Winchmore Hill made a spirited start. From the kick-off Riddlesworth secured the ball from Bucci and passed out to Birch, but Joyce forced him off his course and his shot was intercepted by Boston. Then Winchmore broke through in the middle, but Gowers' pass to Varley caught him unprepared and he shot wide.

This was the last of the danger to Golders Green for a long spell. Broadis set the home line going and Hodge brought off a spectacular run, but failed to turn the ball in. Evans led the forwards down again and Doggett had to fist out from Drinkwater, who tried several shots in the early stages besides showing uncanny precision in his centreing in spite of the tricks played by the mud. Marrable and Broadis also tested Doggett, and only the swamp stopped an early score by Evans, the ball stopping dead in the goalmouth with Doggett beaten.

Winchmore Hill came up the field several times, but the forwards tried too much passing in the flooded areas close in, when quick shooting might have paid. Godding was in action once, but cleared well from J. Gowers.

At the other end there was better shooting and Doggett had plenty of work to do, but he gave a capital performance whether on his feet or outstretched in the mud.

A brief attack by Winchmore Hill ended with Hancock shooting over the bar after Godding had cleared from Varley, and very soon afterwards Golders Green took the lead, Marrable netting with Doggett out of the goal. Evans nearly added a second and Drinkwater was responsible for two corners, from the second of which the ball was scrambled away in a rough and tumble. Hodge brought it back and Broadis shot close past the post on the wrong side.

Half-time arrived with only the one goal in Golders Green's favour, but they had clearly taken command of the game and were worth at least another goal, for Drinkwater deserved to score in the first five minutes.

Golders Green opened up the second half in good style and Bucci came within an ace of scoring, but the mud beat him. Evans was lying handy and forced a corner, but it was unproductive. Evans next took a smart pass from Drinkwater and hit the underside of the bar, the ball rebounding into play for Pratt to clear.

Drinkwater was well marked by the visiting defence and at times found himself overwhelmed by three men, but he generally baffled the defenders with his feints and swerves, while Evans, frequently foraging for himself and apparently enjoying the mud, got through time and again by his intricate footwork. Bucci was also prominent and once scraped over the bar with a terrific shot which must have beaten the goalkeeper.

At the other end a surprise shot from J. Gowers almost caught Godding, who leapt for the ball just in time. Winchmore Hill were putting up dashing exhibitions at time, but the players found it difficult to retain a foothold and appeared more bothered than Golders Green by the heavy going. J. Gowers was invariably lying well forward and was set on the move several times, but he had a solid defence to deal with. He was very fast, however, and reached Godding once or twice. Then for a considerable spell Golders Green were all over the visiting defence and after Doggett had brought off a nice save from Marrable, Evans picked up a pass from Hodge and finished off a brilliant solo effort by netting low down. He was given other opportunities by Hodge and Bucci a few minutes later, but failed to beat Doggett, and when Winchmore Hill rallied with brief strength J. Gowers beat Joyce in a spirited run and reduced the lead, lifting the ball neatly over the fatal patch of swamp. Varley also got right away and finished up with a low shot, strong and true, which Godding did well to hold.

Golders Green's third goal came from Bucci, who ploughed his way to success after Evans had been baulked by the quagmire. J. Gowers broke away again and Varley was occasionally dangerous, but the game finished with Golders Green more than holding their own, and close on time a couple of shots by Hodge looked like widening the winning margin.

Generally speaking, brilliant play was out of the question under such conditions, but if one man earned individual praise more than another it was Doggett, who achieved amazing feats in holding the greasy ball from all directions.