For their first Athenian League match of the season, Golders Green were up against an unknown quantity, the new team from the London League - Tooting & Mitcham. Moreover they were playing on a strange ground and were without their centre-forward, D. Walker, so the loss of points, though unfortunate, was not deplorable. But with more speed and better teamwork they could have reversed the decision. Golders Green led at half time, but deteriorated after the change of ends.

In the absence of Walker, Breagan moved in to centre-forward and Leahy was brought in at outside-right. This was a slight weakening of the line, but it need not have meant defeat.

Golders Green kicked off, and in the first five minutes they lost the ball to Tooting and allowed them to break away. Twice the home attack came within scoring distance, but the ball was cleared, and a counter-move by Golders Green gave Mansfield, the Tooting goalkeeper, a shock. A good run started with a pass up from Broadis and was carried to a finish by F. Boston, supported by Browne. Boston shot, and seemed sure of his goal, but Mansfield just managed to get there in time.

Tooting attacked again after a short spell of midfield play, and eight minutes from the start of the game STYGAL had opened the score for the home team. He placed a beautiful shot right in the corner of the net and had Hill honestly beaten. It was not a simple shot to anticipate, and Hill was unprotected, the movement coming so swiftly that W. Boston and Hayward were too far up the field. They did not repeat the error, however, and when Tooting tried to penetrate a few minutes later, they found the backs ready.

Golders Green cleared the play to midfield again, but could make little or no headway, and eventually Tone made a breakaway, leading the Tooting forwards to worry the visitors' defence again.

Then Golders Green pulled themselves together and made some good attacks, but found the home defence very sound.

Golders Green obtained the equaliser seventeen minutes after Tooting had scored. It was the outcome of the third of a series of attacks. The ball was in Leahy's possession, and he centred to Browne, who headed to Breagan. BREAGAN had no time to trap the ball, but got his head to it and netted. It was a worthy effort, and credit is due to Leahy and Browne for the leading play which gave the chance.

Browne was playing a very tricky game, and on several occasions he beat his opponent by exceedingly clever footwork.

It had become evident by now that Tooting's positional play and marking were going to beat Golders Green unless their own style improved. Golders Green were inclined to be rather loose in play and the halves were not conspicuous.

Five minutes before half-time, however, Golders Green drew ahead with a goal from F. Boston. This was destined to be their last goal in the game, but they played good football to get it. Leahy again started the forward movement, and succeeded in evading the opposition until he could pass in to Breagan. The latter was too far forward, and the ball went right through to F. BOSTON, who had closed in from the wing. He found himself well-placed, and slammed the ball hard into the net.

With the change of ends Tooting and Mitcham showed a determination to allow no more points to the visitors, but a series of fast rushes proved ineffective, and play remained fairly even for a time. Then the Golders Green forwards caught the home defence out of place, but they failed to take advantage of the chance offered. Play swung from end to end until the home team took the initiative again with a rush which drove Golders Green back, and a shot from PRATT at inside-right put Tooting on level terms again. This came a quarter of an hour from the end of the game. The goal was well deserved, for the Tooting forwards wre constantly pressing and showed a speed and a wiliness which was bound to bring success.

Tooting maintained the pressure, and came near to scoring again. Golders Green replied with a likely attack, but failed in front of goal, and Tooting advanced again, ODENBRIGHT scoring five minutes before the final whistle. His goal was the result of speedy play in front of the goalmouth.

A final rally by Golders Green brought the ball to the Tooting end again, and a shot from Snazel had Mansfield beaten, but the pass had been handled and the goal was disallowed.

Further attempts on the home goal were made by F. Boston and Breagan, but both were unsuccessful.

The great point of difference between the two teams was in the way they went for the ball. Tooting were always lively and on to a pass like a flash, while Golders Green were too inclined to take their time. The tackling, too, was weak on the Golders Green side. Towards the end of the game Hayward and Bloxham showed a tendency to wild kicking, but otherwise they were pretty sound.

Golders Green must keep before them three points - speed, position and co-operation. They give every promise of proving a good team this year, and there is no reason why success should not come their way. Hill gave a good account of himself in goal, and had no need to worry over the three shots that he did fail to stop, for he held out many other attempts.