Golders Green should have done better than to draw with Southall on Saturday, but the game provided good entertainment and some brilliant play - though not all of it.
Golders Green played Bustard at centre-forward, but he was not good enough, though he gave a better display later when he moved to the half line and Graves went forward, a change that was made too late to bring victory. Owen, at inside-right, was obviously in his wrong place and Breagan was not well served. Cochrane and Evans did well on the left wing, and better work at centre-forward would have brought good results from their efforts.
One late change was made in the Southall team, Storrie taking the place of Kennett (outside-right), who was injured.
Southall, swinging the ball about, were the first to look dangerous, but W. Boston cleared a centre by Hill, Barlow stopped a shot from Morrad and Eagles shot high over the bar. Golders Green got going on the right, but Owen misjudged a pass to Breagan and Southall swept down the field, only for Barlow to save smartly from Hill.
Southall were very quick on the ball, kept the game moving and connected well, but Golders Green forced a corner on the left, and on the other wing Breagan sent in a beautiful cross-shot which called Lewis into action.
But a weak moment in the home rearguard gave Southall the lead, Sayers seizing the opening to get home with a glorious shot into the top of the net.
Five minutes later Cochrane equalised. He did the approach work, passed out to Evans and followed in to net the ball when Lewis fell in reaching for Evans' centre. Lovell played well to make an opening for Breagan, but the winger got offside.
Then Bucci started a promising movement, but after the ball had passed from Cochrane to Evans, Owen shot wide.
Cochrane was playing a brilliant game and drawing the applause of the crowd, but Bustard was not turning his work to account, though he did nearly head in off Lovell. Owen also went near with a first-timer, but Lewis held it. Bustard was giving a better display near half-time and Golders Green's chances looked good, but in one of Southall's attacks a penalty was awarded for handling by Graves, and the spot kick by Morrad went home to give the visitors the lead just on half-time. It was a bad misfortune for Golders Green, for the ball came up from the ground to catch Graves on the hand.
Southall fought hard to regain the lead, and Storrie and Sayers got through a lot of work, but the defence kept them out and Golders Green were soon skirmishing again, mainly on the left wing, with Cochrane still playing a coolly brilliant game. Breagan was not having such a good game, but Lovell behind him was in fine form. Graves moved to centre-forward, but the change should have been made earlier, for many chances had been missed in front of goal.
There had been plenty of excitement in the first half, and after the change-over the speed was maintained, with the game swinging from end to end. Golders Green soon equalised. First Owen forced a corner off the goalkeeper with a lovely shot through, and then converted a centre from Breagan, driving neatly under the bar.