Golders Green were distinctly unfortunate in losing the Amateur Cup match at Tufnell Park on Saturday. After a big share of the play, and setting up heavy bombardments, they lost by two goals to one, both of Tufnell Park's goals being scored from breakaways. Moreover, a decision by the referee that Drinkwater was offside when he found the net in the closing stages was open to question. Had this goal been allowed, as many, including linesmen, thought it should have been, it is most unlikely that Tufnell Park would have regained the lead.

This was the seventh match Golders Green have lost this season by the odd goal. Indeed there has been no match in which they have been more than one goal down, and it will therefore be agreed that they have had a most unfortunate time.

Successive wins over Hayes and Redhill had given rise to great hopes that they would win at Tufnell Park, and thus enter the competition proper of the Amateur Cup, but unhappily these hopes have been dashed to the ground.

Owing to the inability of Evans to play through a damaged rib, W. Bramley was brought into the team at outside-left. He played a most useful game in the first half, during which he put across many fine centres, but we doubt the wisdom of placing him in that position because it meant a shifting of positions for Drinkwater and Knott. Bramley, who has not been playing for Golders Green for some time (Finchley have had his services in a few matches), has more than once proved a useful man in the centre, and it might have been better had he been put there at the start. Upon change of ends there was a shuffling of positions, Drinkwater and Knott filling their usual positions, with Bramley in the centre. This had the effect of improving the attack, Drinkwater being particularly effective at outside-left, but Golders Green were up against a remarkably strong defence. Whatever luck was going was also on the side of Tufnell Park, who may regard themselves as fortunate in winning the game. This was admitted by many of their supporters.

Apart from the inability of Evans to play (he filled the role of spectator), Knott could hardly be expected to give of his best seeing that during the week he had been involved in an incident which led to his appearing on the football field with his eye bandaged.

The opening exchanges were even. Hands against a home player saved Golders Green as the Park was getting dangerous, but it was some time before Smith was severely tested. His clever clearance of a hard ground shot was commendable. Then Golders Green set up the first of a number of hot attacks. To them fell the first corner, which was sent outside by Breagan. Ellis successfully countered a dangerous left wing movement, while his partner Richardson was clearing in his best style. A foul for hands against Park not far from the penalty line brought calls for Broadis, but no goal came.

Somewhat against the run of the play Miller opened the scoring for the Park at the end of 20 minutes, Sargent finding the opening. He took the ball from the halfway line. While Miller, however, has been credited with the goal, it was diverted into the net by Rowe, and there is just the possibility that had he not been in the way Miller would not have been successful.

Golders Green, however, rallied, and within five minutes had equalised through Breagan, who converted a pass from close range. Before this Bramley had hard luck in seeing one of his many good centres cross the goalmouth with no one to give the ball a finishing touch.

Encouraged by Breagan's goal, Golders Green set up other spirited attacks, Broadis distributing the ball with great judgment. Very few of his passes failed to reach the position he desired. Well supported by the wing halves, the forwards had plenty of openings, but one missed Evans in the centre. When the half-time whistle went Golders Green were pressing, and were rather unlucky in not having a lead. They seemed more hampered by ground conditions than Tufnell Park, but considering its state - we understand it had been used for a morning match - there was some excellent football.

But the disparity in territorial play in the first half was slight [compared] with what happened afterwards. Miller, an untiring worker, put in some good centres for Tufnell Park, which were not taken advantage of, but it was not long before Golders Green were attacking strongly, the new formation of the front line keeping the home backs and goalkeeper ever on the move. They formed a solid trio, and time and again the efforts of Golders Green were thwarted.

Another free kick by Broadis kept low, but was a little wide of the mark, and a minute or two later there was a strong appeal by Golders Green for a penalty kick. This was not allowed - perhaps rightly - but certainly nothing seemed to tell in the visitors' favour.

Beautiful work by Spalton and Breagan - and the work of this wing was far better than it has been for some time - resulted in the ball going across the goalmouth, but with no one handy to beat the defence.

As time went on a draw seemed the most likely result, and had this happened Golders Green would not have been displeased, because a home cup-tie would have been something of a novelty.

With 20 minutes to go, however, Edwards swung the ball across to Sargent, who scored what proved to be the winning goal with a capital shot.

With commendable pluck Golders Green again took up the offensive, and for the rest of the game were mainly in the Park's half. The light was none too good, and there was disappointment when the referee gave a goal-kick after one attack which from the stand seemed to have been successful. Then came the decision which ruled Drinkwater offside - a terrible disappointment. Just on time Golders Green got two corners, but the defence prevailed.

Except that they could score but once, Golders Green put up one of their finest performances this season, and though it may savour of partiality, they were much superior in almost every department to Tufnell Park. Golders Green's halves were exceptionally good. Rowe seems to improve week by week.