Six games in which Golders Green have participated this season have ended in victory by the odd goal. Each time until Saturday last Golders Green were on the losing side, so that they were well entitled to the win over Uxbridge Town which passed them into another round of the Amateur Cup. The match was played at the R.A.F. Stadium, Uxbridge, where Golders Green invariably do well. The fact that the score was 3-2 indicated that it was a close game. So it was, and there was just a possibility that extra time would have to be played. Golders Green, however, kept cool in the closing minutes when Uxbridge were playing in desperate fashion.

Both clubs made changes in their teams. Uxbridge have not been doing well - it is nothing afresh for them to start a season badly - and in the hope of effecting an improvement Carr, the captain, was shifted from right-back to centre-forward, Gower, the player of many clubs, and still a back to be reckoned with, partnering J.H. Smith at back. George was removed from inside-right to outside-left, thus allowing for the inclusion of A.H. Eggleton, a brother of the Queen's Park Rangers player, in the attack.

We leave the Uxbridge executive to state whether the result was to their satisfaction. George did excellently in his new position, and Gower showed himself to be still a resourceful back, although he was prone to concede corner kicks. Carr, however, was out of place in the centre. A good man in that position would have won the match for Uxbridge in the first half-hour. Not only were several excellent chances missed, but Carr made a sad mess of a penalty kick. This was apparently given for hands, but no one seemed sure who was the culprit.

The changes in the Golders Green side were undoubtedly for the better. As it was thought unwise to play Butt (injured a fortnight ago) at right-half, Rowe was withdrawn from the attack to fill the vacancy. Spalton took Rowe's place at inside-right, and Drinkwater had a new partner on the left wing in Knott, who was making his first appearance this season in the first team. This resulted in the attack being materially strengthened : indeed, we thought Knott was the finest forward on the field. It is quite true that a number of his shots went wide, but we prefer to see a forward taking a chance shot instead of fiddling with the ball until it is taken from him. But Knott was not the only good player. There was more cohesion and understanding in the front line than we have been wont to see. It would be well to give the same line another chance, even though it might mean dropping Rowe. Rowe was by no means a failure at half-back, but we cannot see that he can displace Butt, when fit. Butt has youth on his side.

Richardson (an old Uxbridge player) came in for a good deal of ironical cheering when he happened to put the ball out of touch, but his all-round display must have caused Uxbridge supporters to wish that he had not changed clubs. Ellis also played well, and has fully established himself as a first choice. Though beaten twice, Smith was not at fault on either occasion. When we recall the number of difficult shots that came his way, it is surprising that he did not give more goals away.

Golders Green had the wind in their favour in the first half, but, singularly enough, this was the period in which Uxbridge were slightly the better side. The first incident of note - a laughable one - was when the referee knocked Braisher down, causing a stoppage for a minute or two. Though Uxbridge suffered, the referee could not well give a free kick against Golders Green. However, quite early in the game, he felt justified in giving against the visitors for a handling offence, and having seen so many of these chances wasted by Golders Green players at Claremont Road, visiting supporters found some relief in finding that players in other teams can also fail. A goal at this stage for Uxbridge might have won the match. Carr was at fault when other chances were opened, but during a critical time Golders Green were putting up a good defence, Smith bringing off some good saves.

The first corner came to Golders Green through Drinkwater, who was finding in Knott a very useful partner, but though this was well placed, Uxbridge defence prevailed. Jones, a fast winger, spoilt a chance by handling, and then Broadis gave an example of what he could do with free kicks. From a long way out he sent in a terrific shot straight to the goalkeeper. This was cleared, but Povey was not so fortunate a little later with a slightly less hard drive some 30 yards out.

Play had been in progress about half-an-hour when Golders Green opened the scoring, Evans heading into the net following some good passing by Knott and Breagan. Scarcely had the cheers of Golders Green supporters died down when George got away on the left and sent across a perfect pass which was converted by Jones with a swift low drive.

Before half-time, however, Golders Green took the lead through Broadis, who, after cleverly tricking an opponent, sent in a long shot which found its mark. This is the third match in succession in which Broadis has scored direct from a free kick.

Carr had the chance to bring the scores level again but missed a good opening, and in the closing minute Jones shot over the bar.

While Golders Green were rather fortunate in holding the lead at the interval, they were unquestionably the better side after change of ends. They stood the pace much better than Uxbridge, who showed weakness in a number of places. Gower, when hard pressed, did not mind giving corner kicks. In Knott and Drinkwater he had a very clever pair to face, and while his long experience told in several instances, he was frequently beaten.

Five minutes after crossing over one of the prettiest goals imaginable fell to Golders Green through Spalton, who scored from a centre by Drinkwater after Knott and Evans had jumped over the ball. With two goals in hand there seemed a tendancy on the part of Golders Green to slacken down, but there were constant sharp reminders by Uxbridge that this was a dangerous policy to follow. Fortunately Smith was playing very soundly.

At the other end good work was done in goal by Povey. Once he seemed to have been beaten by Spalton, but after apparently deciding that the ball had crossed the line, Povey turned completely round and cleared the ball. An appeal by Golders Green for a goal was disallowed, though many in a good position to see what had happened did not agree with that decision.

Five minutes from time Carr, from a corner kick, headed an excellent goal for Uxbridge, and though the home side tried very hard they were unsuccessful in again finding the net.

On the whole it was a clean and well-contested game, and while Golders Green deserved their victory, the difference in the sides was certainly not value for more than one goal.