Golders Green met with their first League defeat this season at Bromley on Saturday, the Kent side winning by three goals to two, thus avenging their 5-0 defeat at Claremont Road a fortnight earlier.

Golders Green, however, put up a much better fight than Bromley had done in their first match, and, although they were two goals down at the end of 20 minutes, might have won had they not made some unaccountable lapses in the second half, during which no goals were scored.

Bromley were somewhat handicapped by an accident to Clark, their left-back, but a report that he was off the field most of the first half was a gross exaggeration and hardly fair to Golders Green.

Golders Green disappointed their many supporters at the match. With perhaps the exception of Kimber, W. Boston, Broadis and Browne, all failed to reach top form, and in one or two cases the display was decidedly below that usually given. A weakness on the part of the wing halves had its effect upon the forwards. F. Boston had few chances in the second half; Breagan, on the other hand, had the ball placed to him times without number, but he shot wildly. Passes into the centre must have brought goals.

Green, the centre-forward, though not a glowing success, distributed the ball well; he performed fewer acrobatic feats than in his previous match. He shot well on occasions, but once, with only the goalkeeper to beat at close range, he shot wide. A goal at this stage would probably have meant victory. Browne stood out conspicuously; apart from scoring a goal, he gave his wingers good openings, and his clever manipulation of the ball earned warm applause all round the field.

Golders Green were playing their new back, R. Hayward, from Hertford Town, and on the whole he gave a creditable performance. To replace C.V. George (now gone North) at left-back was a big undertaking, but he did sufficiently well to give hope that he will not weaken the defence. He kicks strongly and with judgment, but on Saturday he was inclined to get too far up the field - a dangerous practice against speedy forwards. He was involved in one unpleasant incident, but Broadis acted as peacemaker. Kimber was subjected to severe pressure in the opening stages, and we are not inclined to blame him for the defeat. Bromley's three goals was the heaviest score against him this season.

Bromley played a much better game than they did at Claremont Road, Wade (right-half) and Coulson and Reece (forwards) doing particularly well. They did not play Fallon or Weeks (two old Golders Green players who appeared in the game at Claremont Road).

Golders Green had to play with the wind and sun against them in the first half, and there was a sensational opening, a nice touch by Green to the left wing giving Boston the chance to send in a hot shot which Bartaby did well to save at the expense of a corner. Another good pass into the centre was made by Boston, but after that Bromley took up the running. The first attack was repelled by W. Boston, but within ten minutes they opened the scoring, COULSON netting from Holbrook's pass.

This goal was somewhat against the run of the play, but no one can say that Bromley's work did not merit their second goal, which came ten minutes later. Between these goals they attacked persistently. On one occasion Green was fouled when getting dangerous, and one or two movements by Bucci promised results, but there were palpable weaknesses in the attack. Bromley's second gaol came from a corner, HOLBROOK giving Kimber no chance.

When the outlook seemed decidedly black F. BOSTON reduced the lead with a long shot, the ball striking the post and going into the net. Whether Boston meant to shoot or pass into the centre we must leave him to say. It was a " soft " goal, but it counted.

Soon afterwards WILKINSON scored for Bromley from a pass by Reece, but there was a prompt reply from Golders Green, a movement started by Bloxham ending in a goal by BROWNE.

Half-time came with the score 3-2 in favour of Bromley, a lead which on the play they well deserved.

There were no goals in the second half, but as we have said, Golders Green ought not only to have drawn level but taken the lead had the attack approached anything like it had been in previous matches. F. Boston was literally starved, and Breagan was prone to kick too high and wide. Though Bromley had fewer chances they were decidedly more dangerous, and Kimber made several spectacular saves.

It was feared at one time that Clark would be compelled to leave the field, and this would have greatly prejudiced Bromley's chances of saving the game, but happily he was able to resume after a brief absence, and helped in giving his side full points.