Golders Green and Uxbridge Town, although playing extra time, could not settle their replayed Middlesex Charity Cup-tie at Uxbridge on Saturday, the game ending at two all. This was the score when the teams met at Claremont Road in December, and so the teams will have to meet for the third time.

In view of the fact that a big crowd on neutral ground was improbable, it was decided that the clubs should toss to see where the third match should be played. Uxbridge won, and Golders Green will therefore have to make another journey, to which they are getting quite accustomed. They have been away on four successive Saturdays.

There was much disappointment when it was found that the R.A.F. Stadium was not available for Saturday's match owing to its condition. There had been heavy rain, and the authorities are very chary of their fine ground being used when there is a possibility of the turf being damaged. The Uxbridge club therefore had to act as hosts on the Depot ground, next to the Stadium. This has never been a lucky ground for Golders Green, who have lost many important matches there, while the accommodation for spectators is poorer than at any other League ground. The absence of a stand is badly missed by visitors.

Under the circumstances, Golders Green did well to force a draw, although neither they nor Uxbridge were keen on another match, in view of congested fixture lists. The competition brings little grist to the funds of the clubs taking part therein : they consent to enter mainly with the idea of helping county charities. That is a laudable purpose.

Each team differed in three or four respects from the sides that took the field in December, Golders Green playing two reserves at half-back, while Uxbridge had new players in goal, at right-back and outside-left.

Uxbridge, by winning the toss, had the advantage of ground in the first half, and they opened play with the suggestion that they meant to get early goals. They met with a stubborn defence, however, and it may be said at once that Richardson, one of Uxbridge's former players, and now temporary captain of Golders Green in the absence of Bucci, on the injured list, played one of his best games. He seldom made a miskick. He had a good partner in Boston, and therefore Godding had rather less to do than the Uxbridge goalkeeper, although we are inclined to think that the home forwards were the better five. Just now the Golders Green half-back line is not maintaining its old reputation, and the forwards are suffering thereby.

However, the forwards had many good chances which they threw away. Breagan, at outside-right, caused most trouble, although he was prone to get offside. On the other wing Drinkwater got in some good centres, but he has lost the habit of scoring himself, and there have been times without number when we could have wished he was so well partnered as last season. There remain palpable weaknesses in the forward line which will have to be remedied if matches are to be won.

Toward the end of the first half Golders Green forced three corners, but failed to score, thanks largely to the backs, who did much to save Sargeant from being overworked. A new player, he showed traces of nervousness at first, but proved his worth taking the game throughout.

The second half opened in favour of Uxbridge. Rowe, who was with Golders Green last season, missed a good opening early on. He is still a clever player, but on the slow side ; probably he is more useful at half than at forward. Within five minutes, however, Uxbridge took the lead through Faggetter, after good combined work. Then came a stoppage for a short time while Boston recovered from the result of a collision. His subsequent play did not indicate that he was any the worse for the encounter, but it transpired after the match that he was hardly conscious of subsequent events.

Fifteen minutes from the opening of the second half T. Evans equalised with a long distance shot so high that it seemed to be a gift from above. Sargeant, waiting for the ball, was apparently afraid of being charged, and many were surprised to find a goal was scored.

Rowe restored the lead to Uxbridge, a claim for offside being disallowed, but Golders Green were putting up a much better fight in the closing half than they have done in the last few games, and were close to scoring on several occasions. One of the best chances came to Breagan, who headed into the goalkeeper's hands, but it was from this player, who has been much missed in several matches through injuries, that the equalising goal came. Breagan was in a splendid position for scoring when he received a pass from T. Evans, and it was an easy matter to beat Sargeant.

Other good chances fell to both teams, but full time arrived with the score two all.

Extra time on a heavy ground imposes a tax on players who are not attached to professional sides, and on each side there were men who showed signs of weariness. There were several minor casualties, Weeks being one of those who temporarily left the field. On the whole Golders Green had the better of the game in extra time, and just towards the end Drinkwater missed what most people would regard as an easy chance. As neither team scored, a third meeting is necessary.

Uxbridge have had a fairly good season, and it was no mean performance for Golders Green to run them to a draw, but one cannot help feeling that some quality is still lacking in the team. The forwards are not impressive, though the return of Breagan has certainly done something towards improving the line. The wing halves were hard-working, but we cannot say more than that in their favour.

The date fixed for the third meeting is March 30.