Golders Green piled up their highest score this season at Claremont Road on Saturday. This could hardly have been expected, seeing that Hayes, third in the League table, were the visitors, but, as was the case at Redhill the previous week, Golders Green ran riot in the second half. Three goals were scored in a very brief time, and others followed at regular intervals, the last coming from a penalty kick. This was taken by Broadis, who was undoubtedly pleased to find the net seeing that Hayes's solitary goal came off his foot following a corner kick. Smith would probably have cleared but for Broadis's unfortunate intervention.

The figures are surprising seeing that the visitors played remarkably good football, as they always do, and the lead of 1-0 held by Golders Green at the interval was just about as much as they deserved. The debacle started soon after the change of ends, when Drinkwater and Bucci gave Spalton an opening. Later Knott scored three times, Evans got two more, and Broadis, with his penalty kick, completed the number.

This was Golders Green's sixth successive win, and the fact that in these games they have scored 27 goals (19 in the last three) shows that the forwards are in irresistable form. But the credit for this run of successes is not confined to one section of the team. The defenders are doing their part nobly, and if the same form could have been shown earlier in the season Golders Green would have been interested in more cup competitions. Such a display as on Saturday would have upset Oxford City, Clapton, and Tufnell Park, each of whom scrambled through the cup-ties by one goal.

R.G. Rowe was still out of Golders Green's team, as his hand has not yielded to treatment as quickly as was anticipated, but G. Bucci was able to take up the reins of captaincy, and played a big part in the victory. Weeks, who has stepped into Rowe's shoes temporarily, improved upon his display at Redhill, while the backs and goalkeeper defended manfully against a clever line of forwards who had little luck coming their way. Their combination was quite good, but a little more punch was needed. Ellis, at right-back, has never been seen to greater advantage, and J.W. Richardson seemed no worse for his midweek County match at Ipswich. Their excellent work prevented Smith from being greatly troubled, although there were a few shots that would have beaten less capable men. Smith is playing most consistently just now, and deserves more honours than have yet fallen to him.

But it was the forward work that enthralled us most. If the left wing was the stronger, it does not blind us to the fact that Breagan and Spalton did well, although Breagan should have scored more than once. Two of his best efforts came near the end. Spalton was a deadly shot. His displays of late have subjected him to some criticism, and we should not have been surprised if he had been given a rest, but when on top form he is a big asset.

All eyes were centred on Evans in view of the claims that are put forth that he is worthy of International honours. As we have said, he scored three times; he might have got more had he not wished to give others chances. When in possession, he was always a source of danger. While Evans can score from difficult positions, he is apt to miss gilt-edged chances. There was one such on Saturday, when, after one of his characteristic runs, he was left with only the goalkeeper to beat. But Carr was equal to the occasion.

Drinkwater failed to score, but taking the game throughout, he played a magnificent part, and it was a real treat to watch Knott and Drinkwater toying with the defence. They are a really clever pair. Both are hard shots. Knott found the net three times, and that Carr was not beaten more frequently by this deadly winger is a tribute to his goalkeeping.

Despite the rapidity with which goals were obtained, Hayes never gave up trying, and, moreover, played a clean game. Free kicks for fouls were very few. The penalty kick at the end was given because Knott was pushed in the back, but though the referee had no option than to mete out punishment, we do not consider it was a particularly grave offence.

Play in the first half was very even. Hayes were awarded a free kick early on because Richardson handled, but Richardson atoned by clearing. Then Golders Green put in some wonderfully good work, in which Spalton and Evans were conspicuous. A shot by Spalton brought Carr to his knees, and another shot missed by inches. Evans tested Carr with an awkward high shot, and a little later, after one or two less worthy attempts, he opened the scoring from a well judged pass by Drinkwater.

This proved to be the only goal in the first "45." The Hayes team had had a fair share of the play, but most of the shooting came from the Golders Green side, Drinkwater providing many openings. The halves took a part in the attack, one shot by Bucci landing on the top of the net.

An amusing incident occurred just before the change-over. The knickers of one of the Hayes players were so damaged that there was a call for an overcoat so that he could leave without wounding the susceptibilities of the ladies.

We had seen good play in the first half, but nothing pleases a crowd more than seeing goals, and as eight were obtained in the second "45" no one could complain that value for money was not given.

It was some little time before anything tangible happened, although Evans should have scored in the first two minutes. The ball hit the crossbar. Then came a lull, and cries of "Come on, the Greens!" when it was found that Hayes seemed likely to equalise. At last Knott got away, but instead of scoring had to be content with a corner kick. Then the combination of Bucci, Drinkwater and Spalton led to Spalton scoring a good goal. Soon afterwards, from Drinkwater's pass, Evans scored the third goal, and Knott headed the fourth, these three successes coming in the space of a few minutes.

Evans looked to be good enough for another when he got clear of the backs, but Carr stifled his shot. Knott got the fifth goal, although it seemed that Evans could have done so had he not been so kindly disposed towards a pal. Then Breagan came into the limelight with one or two good efforts, but he had no luck.

The home goal underwent several narrow escapes, and those who watched the game will admit that the work of the visiting forwards deserved reward. It came at last from a left wing shot, and the ball passed into the net from the foot of Broadis.

This was their only success, while Golders Green scored three more goals through Evans (from another Drinkwater pass), Knott and Broadis (from a penalty).

The Golders Green team came in for a rousing reception from the biggest crowd that has been seen on the ground for some time. It was well deserved, because they had given a sparkling display.