Before a record crowd of 5,200 at Finchley's ground on Monday, Golders Green realised one of their great ambitions and by their 2-0 defeat of Park Royal became the holders of the Middlesex Senior Cup for the first time in the club's history.

The incident which led to the first goal late in the second half was dramatic in the extreme. Knott, a cripple on the left wing, was allowed to go through unchallenged, while Park Royal appealed for offside. Steadying himself, he shot for the corner, but his kick was sliced, and to the horror of Golders Green's supporters the ball swerved away and seemed bound to pass quite three feet outside the upright. White, Park Royal's left-half, evidently thought it was going in, for he made a desperate attempt to clear, but mistimed the spinning ball and swept it into his own net.

Thus did Dame Fortune bestow her sweetest smile on Golders Green and add to the troubles of Park Royal, who had been struggling with ten men, their inside-left, J. Hewlett, having been injured early in the first half.

Three of Park Royal's men, the two backs and right-half, signed for Bromley on Thursday, and their places in Monday's final were taken by reserve team players. Golders Green made one change, Weeks deputising at left-back for Richardson, who had injured his leg.

The game was not a good one as compared with Golders Green's semi-final tie with Barnet some weeks back on the same ground.

The chief reason for this, however, was the exceptionally light ball, which refused to be brought under control and baffled both teams alike. The players were to blame, however, in that they would kick it into the air, where it was at the mercy of every wind of heaven.

Golders Green adopted kick-and-rush methods, as did Park Royal, and never settled down to the ground passing game which is so satisfying to the spectator. Park Royal fought pluckily in the second half and neither team looked like scoring until the incident narrated above.

For Golders Green, Evans was the outstanding member of a rather ineffective forward line. He was always full of dash and his goal was an example of real opportunism. He received little support from his inside forwards, Knott being particularly disappointing. His confidence was probably undermined by the penalty he missed in the first half, and he was incapacitated later by an injury to his shoulder.

Spalton worked hard and combined at times effectively with Breagan, who had a much better day than Drinkwater. The latter seemed particularly worried by the light ball and never revealed his true form.

Rowe played a splendid game at right-half, and behind him Ellis was like a rock. The back made many brilliant clearances and hardly put a foot wrong.

Broadis effectively subdued Darby, and Bucci worked hard to hold Ette, the West Ham player. Ette was here, there and everywhere, and his speed and ball control made him the most dangerous forward on the field. Additional strain was thrown on Weeks, but the reserve back came through his ordeal with colours flying. Smith gave his supporters one or two heart attacks, but generally played well, often brilliantly, in goal.

Special mention should be made of the referee, Mr. J.W.G. Conquest, who handled the game in masterly style.

Park Royal won the toss and elected to play against the sun and with the wind in their favour. From the kick-off they attacked on the left. Golders Green retaliated but hands spoilt a good movement. J. Hewlett was hurt and had to be assisted off the field.

This was an early blow for the Royal, but they continued to hold their own. The ball was passed back to Ette and Smith made a good save from his first-time drive.

The liveliness of the ball was already marring many movements. It was often impossible to bring it under control in time for a shot and a sharp breeze added to the difficulties. Smith cleared a centre from Judge, and then Knott came into the picture with a fine pass out to Drinkwater. The latter was tackled and robbed near the goalmouth.

A through pass to Judge spreadeagled Golders Green's defence, but fortunately for them the right-winger could not catch the ball, which went harmlessly over the goal-line.

Ellis made a good clearance from three Park Royal forwards, and then came Knott's blunder. Evans beautifully killed a through pass, dashed down the middle and was about to shoot when he was pulled down. Knott took the penalty, and, to the accompaniment of a horrified roar, drove the ball high over the bar.

The Royal attacked without success after this let-off. Hewlett sent in a shot which just missed the upright and later Judge centred behind. White took a free kick on the fringe of the penalty area and shot accurately for the corner of the net. Smith, however, was ready, and made a fine save.

The "Greens" goalkeeper also did well to stop an accurate long-range effort from Ette. Judge and Willshaw both missed narrowly. Just before the interval Knott hurt his shoulder and had to retire. Half-time came with the score sheet blank.

Knott returned in the second half, but J. Hewlett did not resume for Park Royal. The "Greens" attacked and Breagan swung across a dangerous centre. Drinkwater was, however, given offside. At the other end Smith was hurt after scrambling the ball away. He resumed after attention.

Bartaby went full-length to save a close-range shot from Evans and Smith cleverly cleared a centre from Judge. The ball was going from end to end with lightning rapidity. Evans went through the middle, but was crowded out before he could shoot. Then Knott put the ball over the bar. Drinkwater centred across the visitors' goal, but just too high for Evans to reach the ball with his head.

When Bartaby came out to gather a pass intended for Evans he completely missed the ball. Fortunately there was no one up to take advantage of his mistake. He safely cleared a snap shot from Evans soon afterwards.

Then came the tragedy for Park Royal described above, which gave Golders Green the lead. From the restart Park Royal desperately threw their whole defence into attack and this proved their complete undoing. The ball came to Drinkwater, who passed to Evans standing unmarked. The centre-forward coolly lifted the ball over Bartaby's head into the net.

Park Royal tried desperately to score, but they were easily held, and time came with Golders Green still secure in their two goals lead.

[The Presentation of the Cup is covered in 10 further paragraphs in the report. What follows is an extract of those paragraphs.]

Alderman A.T. Pike, with whom was Mrs. Pike, presented the cup to Mr. G. Bucci, captain of Golders Green, amid rousing cheers.

Mr S.B. Simmonds, chairman of the Finchley F.C., in a few introductory remarks , said there were present that day some impoortant people, including the Mayor of Hendon (Councillor C.C. Cartwright) and a number of would-be mayors (laughter). In addition, they had Mr. W.W. Heard, the hon. secretary of the Middlesex F.A., and officials of the London League and other Councils. They hoped to have present the Duke of York, the president of the National Playing Fields Association, on behalf of which a collection had been made on the ground that day. He would like to thank them for the generous way they had supported that fund.

Alderman Pike said he was pleased to have the duty of presenting the cup to Golders Green. The match had been witnessed by what he believed was a record crowd for the ground. He then presented the cup to the captain of Golders Green, and after the cheering had subsided G. Bucci was persuaded to say a few words.

He said that for many years his club had tried to win the cup without success, and he could hardly realise that they had at last succeeded. They were really proud of the fact that in the first year they had played under the name of Golders Green they should win a competition in which they had always taken the keenest interest. He though that the game that day was one of the hardest he had played in, and it was a pity that such a fine team as Park Royal should be defeated.

Among the first to congratulate the Golders Green captain and his men when they reached the dressing room was the president of the club, Mr. A. Gordon Raymond, who brought a large party to the match.