For the second year in succession Hayes have captured the Middlesex Charity Cup by the odd goal. Last season they won at Wealdstone against Hampstead by 3-2; on Saturday they beat the same club, but bearing a different name, by 2-1.

The result was hardly expected seeing that Hayes had been beaten three times during the season by Golders Green - twice in League games and on the other occasion in the Amateur Cup. They would have won a fourth time if they had taken their chances in the first half-hour, during which period Smith, their goalkeeper, seldom touched the ball.

The only excuse that can be put forwards by Golders Green was that they could not play Drinkwater, who had not recovered from an injury sustained at Sutton the previous week, but success by a club of their standing should not have to depend on one player.

The vacancy at outside-left was filled by J. Weeks, who has played at half-back and full-back with credit, but it was asking too much of him to act as deputy for Drinkwater. It seems to us that the position might have been given to a reserve player accustomed to that position.

In midfield Weeks did fairly well, but near goal he was disappointing, although he was not the only offender.

The conditions under which the tie was decided were almost intolerable for the players, and before the game started Mr. W.W. Heard, the hon. secretary of the Middlesex F.A., declared that it would be cruel to ask for extra time should the teams be on level terms after 90 minutes. A goal within a minute of the end solved a problem that was likely to arise, and the teams, both winners and losers, who had borne the heat extremely well, seemed thankful to hear the final whistle.

Winning the toss was a big factor. Brown, the Hayes captain, was the lucky man, and the Golders Green side had to play in the first half in the face of a glaring sun, which caused considerable trouble.

Nevertheless Golders Green had a big share of the play during the first half-hour, Knott and Breagan being conspicuous in the attack. Some fine centres came from the outside-right, but chances went begging. One of the best attempts was made by Evans, and Hayes must have felt pleased with the way in which Wallage kept goal. The midfield work of Golders Green was at times brilliant, and it was galling to see the final efforts. Knott had many shots, but most of them were too wide or too high. Occasional breakaways by Hayes were threatening, the best efforts coming from the extreme wingers, Groves in particular being troublesome. Fortunately Ellis was consistently good, while Richardson cleared well.

The interval came with nothing scored, and Hayes must have been pleased with that. Some time before the players retired for a welcome drink Evans had developed lameness and had played at outside-left.

Upon the change-over Evans took up his usual position, and for a time it looked as though Golders Green would make atonement for sins of omission earlier in the game. They put up a hot attack, and impetuous Knott was found on the ground in the goalmouth in his endeavours to get the lead. Another nice attempt was made by Evans, whose shot just skimmed the bar. Evans a little later cleverly forced a corner, which was taken by Weeks. Two others quickly followed, Knott at last kicking from the flag in the hope that he would do better than his partner. The defence, however, prevailed. At this stage Groves was doing splendidly and giving Ellis much trouble. Just after Knott had made a wonderfully good attempt to convert a pass by Breagan, Groves, 20 minutes from the restart, scored for Hayes. It was a fine shot, one which gave Smith not the slightest chance, but Ellis, who until then had given of his best, gave Groves his opening.

Hayes did not hold the lead long. Knott, who has been Golders Green's best shot this season, equalised from a pass by Breagan. The goal was disputed on the ground that the ball had gone over the side-line before Rowe gave it to Breagan, but the referee refused to be influenced by the appeals.

Evans, more or less a passenger, again went to outside-left, but though handicapped Golders Green continued to hold their own. A drawn game seemed a certainty. Then, with a minute to go, Pullen took advantage of weakness in clearing and scored the second and winning goal for Hayes. Just before the end Smith, who had kept goal splendidly, was badly shaken, and it looked as though he might have to leave the field. But he is not easily counted out, and it must be credited to Hayes that the winning goal was not due to Smith's inefficiency.

For Golders Green it was a disappointing ending to a fairly successful season. Hayes certainly deserved their win, but had the match been played a month ago Golders Green would certainly have won this cup as well as the principal county trophy.

The cup was presented to R. Brown, the Hayes captain, by Mr. Simon, the chairman of the Brentford F.C. Mr. Heard, who introduced Mr. Simon, took the opportunity of congratulating the Brentford club on their gallant attempt to win promotion to the First Division of the Football League, and all present would, he felt sure, hope they would succees next year.

Included in the six charbancs which the Golders Green F.C. Supporters' Association ran to this match was their old centre-forward, George Blackburn, who went from Hampstead to Aston Villa as a professional.

[N.B. No line-ups were included in the report, though Golders Green's only change to their preferred side is mentioned. The Hayes line-up is the expected one published in the Uxbridge and West Drayton Gazette on 11th May 1934 in a preview.]