For several seasons past Golders Green have opened the programme with friendly games, but this year their first engagement was at Southall, where they created a surprise by winning the Athenian League match by five goals to two. Last year they did not win a match unitil the last week in September.

Saturday's victory was surprising by reason of the fact that there were last-minute changes to the team. Apart from the absence of G. Bucci, who is not quite fit (he was injured towards the end of last season), A. Broadis, the centre-half, was unable to get away from business; and C. Drinkwater, the outside-left, was at Birmingham in the hope that he may be asked to join the ranks of Aston Villa. Under the circumstances Golders Green had an unfamiliar half-back line, and the attack was weakened.

Southall had practically a new team. Of those chosen no fewer than eight were newcomers to the side. Two of the remaining three started playing for Southall only towards the end of last season. The only "regular" was A.R. Eagles, and he appeared at outside-right instead of his accustomed place at centre-forward. In that new position he did not do himself justice, and in the second half, when Southall were endeavouring to make up lost ground, he reverted to his old place as leader of the line. Most of the newcomers hail from Park Royal, champions of the Premier Division of the London League for the last three years.

Considerable improvements have been made to the Southall ground during the close season, and a big effort is being made to restore the club to the position it formerly held. It was unfortunate for them that Golders Green should put a spoke in the wheel so early, but evidence was given that Southall promise to be formidable opponents.

F. Boston, who took the place of Drinkwater, is a brother of the right-back. He has played for the team occasionally, but is expected to turn out regularly this season. On his showing in this match he is a distinct find. Curtis and Walker, two other newcomers, did useful work, although on the day they were not up to the standard of that expected in the Athenian League.

A pleasant feature of the match was the infrequency with which the whistle was heard. During the first half there was only one offence, and that was for offside. There was nothing approaching foul play. In the second period the referee had rather more work, but it was one of the cleanest games it has been our privilege to watch. May there be more like it.

Golders Green, by losing the toss, had to start with the wind against them and with the sun in their faces, and under the circumstances it was not surprising that Southall had slightly the better of the exchanges for a little while. They secured several corners, and once their centre-forward had the easiest of chances, but happily Miles was in good fettle. At the other end Breagan was not long in providing evidence that he was in form, and he put across a number of well-judged passes which with a stroke of luck might have been turned to account. In one onslaught the ball struck the post with terrific force.

The opening goal came at the end of fifteen minutes through Willshaw, who throughout was a live wire iin Southall's attacks. Golders Green were by no means unperturbed by this reverse and taking up the attack again Breagan took two corner kicks, both placed with judgement. These were saved, but a minute later we saw Edwards make a good run, only to find F. Boston given offside when ready to shoot. However, after the game had been in progress 25 minutes, Walker equalised, the way being paved for him by F. Boston and Edwards. A goal so early in his career for Golders Green must have proved a tonic to Walker, who comes from Tottenham.

It also proved a source of encouragement to the team, because they continued to press, but the shooting was not so good as it might have been. Breagan had hard luck in seeing one of his shots go right across the goalmouth, and from a corner taken by F. Boston, Bloxham shot over.

Eight minutes before half-time Southall regained the lead through Willshaw. Miles dived for the ball, but saw it pass the line as he lay on the ground.

For a time it seemed that Golders Green were a beaten side, Southall attacking strongly, but fortunately W. Boston, at right-back, was conspicuous in defence. His pace enabled him to stop many shots in the nick of time.

Just on the interval, from a pass by Breagan, F. Boston neatly headed the ball into goal, thus equlaising the score, 2-2.

On the run of the play Southall had reason to feel disappointed that they were not leading.

In the second half, however, we saw a sparkling display by Golders Green, who scored three more goals without reply. They stayed the pace well and were going strongly at the end. The removal of Eagles from outside-right to centre-forward came too late to be of service to Southall.

For the first ten minutes of the second half Southall quite held their own, but then came an unexpected goal which proved to be the turning point in the game.

Following a corner kick the ball came to Evans, who was somewhere near the half-way line, and he sent the ball into the net under the crossbar to the surprise of all.

Southall played up pluckily, and one of the visiting side almost put through his own goal, but it was not long before Fallon brought Golders Green's total to four. Left unmarked, he dribbled the ball to the goalmouth and then tapped it over the line. Southall were at fault in easing up, apparently thinking Fallon was offside.

The last goal was scored by Evans with an even better shot than that which had previously taken effect. The goalkeeper might have been troubled by the sun, but all the same it was a gem of a goal, and his double success brought loud cheering by the not inconsiderable number of Golders Green supporters.

Southall struggled hard but vainly to reduce the lead, and their non-success brought from disappointed supporters some facetious remarks about the playing of so many old Park Royal men to the exclusion of several [of] last season's players.

To sum up, it may be said that the display of Golders Green gave every hope that they will have a good season. Miles played well in goal and deserved preference over Godding, who, it is said, has resigned from the club. Richardson was evidently short of practice - a honeymoon has interfered with his training - but W. Boston has soon got into his stride. He was in large measure responsible for keeping Southall's score down to two.

Bucci and Broadis were missed in the half-back line, but credit must be given to Evans not only for scoring two goals but his keenness in agreeing to play in a position other than that to which he was accustomed.

The outside forwards were the pick of the line. There is need of another really good sharp-shooter in the centre, and if Drinkwater returns to the side then it might be advantageous to play F. Boston in the centre or at inside-left. On Saturday's form he cannot well be left out.