Though we often get surprises in football - some pleasant, others unpleasant - there has seldom been a greater surprise in local matches than the victory by six goals to one which Golders Green won on the Redhill ground last Saturday. In the first half of the game no goals were scored, but Redhill had far more chances to score than Golders Green and with a reasonable amount of luck might well have been two or three goals up at the change of ends.

But with the cross-over came a transformation scene. A somewhat easy goal soon after the restart gave Golders Green encouragement, and by sparkling football they scored five more goals. Soon after their third had been obtained Tomlinson, the Redhill centre-forward, was rewarded for much hard work, and for a few minutes it seemed that after all Golders Green might be deprived of victory. But Redhill's spurt was short-lived, and in the closing stages Golders Green were doing pretty well as they pleased.

When the teams met earlier in the season Redhill were at the top of the table and Golders Green were floundering at the other end. But Redhill lost by 6-0, and by this further defeat by almost as big a margin they will have cause to remember the old Hampstead club under the new name.

The ground was somewhat on the heavy side, but it was pleasant overhead, and quite a number of local supporters took the journey to Redhill. They were quite satisfied with the result.

It was a fast and strenuous game, refereed by one who, while taking care to see that it was played in the true spirit, made very little use of his whistle. A number of appeals were unheeded simply because he felt that if anyone fell, it was due to accident.

During the first half Smith, Golders Green's goalkeeper, seemed to fall rather badly, and in consequence the game was held up for a minute or two. As has often happened when he has been hurt, Smith played a remarkable game upon taking up work again, some of his saves being most exasperating to Redhill.

Golders Green fielded the same team as that which had beaten Romford seven days earlier by five goals to one, that is to say, the wing halves were Weeks and Joyce. While it was known that the injury to Rowe at Christmas would keep him out of the side, it had been hoped that Bucci, the captain, would be fit, but as he was not, Joyce was again called in. While giving these two reserve players credit for useful work, it cannot be denied that the half-back line suffered through the absence of the more experienced men, and one can only conjecture what would have happened if Broadis, the centre-half, had not given an exceptionally good display. He was not only an outstanding player on the Golders Green side, but better than anyone on the Redhill side as a defender. He did at least two men's work in the first half, when Golders Green had a gruelling time.

The fact that Redhill could score but once was due largely to erratic shooting, but at the same time it demonstrated once again how well Golders Green are served by the defence. In 12 League games they have conceded but 12 goals, while they have 28 goals to their credit. This is not a large number, but the forwards, on their form in the second half at Redhill, are likely to run through the best defences.

In the first "45" the Golders Green forwards could not get going. Drinkwater, at outside-left, seemed to be the only man from whom a goal seemed likely. Breagan, on the other wing, did useful work, it is true, and looks like being quite as useful as he was in his early days with the club, but something was missing in the centre. Sherman had a few good shots to clear, but nothing like the amount of work that fell to Smith.

But we had a revivified front line later on. With Evans approaching something like International form (the English team has yet to be chosen), and meeting with generous support from the wings, the attack was more effective than we have hitherto found it this season, and aided by a little good fortune goals were quickly obtained. Without being invidious, the cleverness of Drinkwater left an indelible impression. He could not expect to get through without an occasional rebuff, but his cleverness in beating his opponent was remarkable. His name did not figure on the scoresheet, and this match goes to prove that often plums should be distributed to other than those who get the actual score.

Redhill had the better of the opening exchanges, and a one-hand save from Tomlinson by Smith was a good bit of work. The first good opening for Golders Green came to Evans, but he shot over. Drinkwater did much better following a free kick, Sherman just managing to tip the ball over the bar. Drinkwater himself took the corner kick, but though it was well placed nothing happened. Another fine Drinkwater shot was followed by an attack in which Parrish figured, and to some it appeared that Smith had crossed the line before clearing. But apparently the referee was of a different opinion. Smith, however, could have been excused if a minute or two later he had been beaten by Begg. That useful player, however, missed an easy chance.

Then came the accident to Smith, who had been kept very busy, and one began to wonder whether another would not have to take his place in goal. Had this been necessary, there could have been but one result. However, to the accompaniment of cheers from all quarters, Smith settled down again, and in view of what happened during the remainder of the first half it was well for Golders Green that he was not badly hurt. How their goal escaped is a mystery. Once Smith was floundering on the ground, and it looked almost impossible that Redhill could fail to score, but fail they did. At this stage Evans, the Redhill inside-left, was more in the picture than his namesake from Golders Green, and a save from him was another of Smith's commendable efforts. An equally good effort was his tipping Tomlinson's shot over the bar.

Now and again Golders Green's attack got going, but one was not impressed by their work, and when the teams left for a break one felt that Golders Green were lucky to be on level terms.

The play in the second half was of an entirely different complexion, Redhill for the most part concentrating on defence.

Within a few minutes Knott, from a pass by Breagan, opened the scoring for Golders Green, and he was also responsible for the second goal. Between these points Parrish, Redhill's inside-right, skimmed the crossbar, and Smith had to go down on his knees to effect another clearance, but Golders Green were evidently on top, Knott's shooting being a feature. Spalton also put in some telling shots.

Evans, following one of his characteristic runs, got Golders Green's third goal, and this was followed by one for Redhill through Tomlinson, who hitherto had not had the best of luck.

Just at this time Redhill were playing an uphill game with commendable pluck, and there was an element of doubt as to the ultimate issue, but a further goal - this time through Spalton from Drinkwater's centre - dispelled any hopes that Redhill might have entertained of saving the game. Evans followed with a fifth goal from a pass by Breagan, and Weeks completed the scoring with a shot from near the half-way line.

We agree with those disappointed Redhill supporters who declaimed that the score in no way represented the merits of the respective sides, but frequently this season Golders Green have lost matches after having most of the play, and so matters are to some degree equalised.