Golders Green's selectors, profiting by the lessons of the two friendlies with Tooting, made drastic changes in the attack for the opening Herts & Middlesex League game at Wood Green last Saturday.

Apart from two enforced defensive alterations, the rearguard was left alone, but the forward line was completely remodelled in an effort to cut out the fiddling canker which has for some time been the bugbear of the side.

Fontana was available after nealy a season's absence, and made a good inside-right. At centre forward J. Bradshaw made a first appearance, Cochrane moved to inside-left and the outside-left birth was entrusted to C. Shorland. Golders Green fans will remember the inimitable "Jimmy" Shorland, who was one of the standby stalwarts four or five seasons back; the new outside-left is his nephew.

At once it was evident that the new forward line was a live wire. Shorland proved himself a clever winger, always on the alert, very tricky, with a good shot and the ability to place corner kicks with accuracy. Bradshaw was a good leader of the line and distributed the ball well, while both inside forwards did their jobs well.

The first half was goalless. From a Shorland-Cochrane movement, Bradshaw had hard luck in hitting the post with Wood Green's Hart (both keepers were named Hart!) well beaten, and Fontana came near to scoring with a good shot which the goalie saved well. At the other end Bitmead tested A. Hart, who punched clear, and one or two movements were spoiled by offside. Just before the interval Wood Green forced a corner, following a free kick, but the whistle blew for half-time before it could be taken.

The second half opened with a strong Wood Green attack : a corner was conceded, but Rayment headed over. At the other end a Stroud corner was cleared, and Wood Green got away. About this time Ford and Swift changed places. Soon afterwards, as the result of a nice movement, Wood Green opened the scoring. [A.] Hart was unable to clear, and Lovell could only put the ball to Ford who scored.

Golders Green hit back. Bucci started a movement, put the ball across to Stroud, who got away down the wing and centred. Bradshaw headed straight out to Shorland who scored with a first time shot.

Soon afterwards, the visitors forced a corner, beautifully taken by Shorland, but it was cleared and Wood Green got away down the wing. Ford shot and the ball, hitting Fisher en route, entered the net, the deflection completely beating Hart.

Wood Green strove to increase their lead, and A. Hart had a narrow escape when he only half-cleared a shot, but he recovered. Then Bucci started another successful movement. He got Cochrane away, and he passed in, with a lob, to Bradshaw. Cuthbert, coming up from behind, tried to rob the centre-forward, but all he could do was to head into his own net, to give the visitors the equaliser.

Towards the end, Golders Green attacked strongly. Fontana twice came near to netting the winner, but there was no further scoring, and the game ended with honours even - a just result.

A word of praise must again by given to W. Fisher at right back, who, settling down in the side, played a first-class game. There is no doubt that this lad has a future.