The dropping of M. Fallon from Golders Green's side in the Amateur Cup-tie at Northwich on Saturday was a questionable step. Fallon, like all players, has his faults, but as Golders Green had won six Cup-ties in succession, was it wise to upset the combination. E. Duffield, who took his place at inside-left, may be an equally good player, but the change, which was, we hear, not made known to the team until the eleventh hour, did not make for a good understanding. Duffield, of course, had to obey orders, but his position was an unenviable one.

Otherwise Golders Green were at full strength. G. Bucci, the captain, absent from two matches owing to injuries, had been pronounced fit, while A. Broadis must have persuaded his employers that his place in the team was of vital importance. Though he did not travel with the players, he was at Northwich in good time, and apart from scoring with a penalty kick, he was one of the best men on the side.

Interest in the game was shown by the fact that Golders Green drew a record gate - just over 2,000 - but as the takings were under £50 the match will not bring much grist to the mill.

Included in the crowd were some 100 or more followers from Golders Green, and we congratulate the Supporters' Association upon arranging an excursion at very reasonable rates. It was unfortunate that their members did not see a better display by the team they had come to cheer.

Northwich fared better than many places in the matter of weather. On the journey into Cheshire the conditions were mixed - sunshine being followed by rain and snow, but they found the ground in capital condition, and the only drawback was a lack of stand accommodation. Cover was found for two or three hundred people, but only a few privileged visitors from Golders Green could have seats.

Golders Green, who entered the field first, had a warm reception. By losing the toss, Bucci had to set his side to play against the wind in the first half, but it was not so strong as to be a big handicap.

Last week we commented on the fact that Kimber, in the match against Clapton, had been out of work, but in this game he more than made up for lost time. From the start he was never long idle, and it may be said at once that he was in no way responsible for the defeat. So persistent was the Northwich attack that a less experienced player would have been beaten a dozen times, because the backs were quite unable to stem the torrent.

Much quicker on the ball and with much more thrust than Golders Green, the home side attacked almost incessantly, and on the few occasions that Golders Green got away they did not look really dangerous. One of Kimber's best saves was from a free kick.

Now and again Golders Green's forwards would show signs of being something beyond five units, but the home defence prevented those combined movements which we are accustomed to see, and good shots from the visitors were conspicuously few. F. Boston tried hard, but was never on top form.

Fifteen minutes from the start, just after Boston had been given offside when taking a pass from Bloxham, Alkali opened the scoring through Goulding. Kimber had very little chance of saving this shot.

Fifteen minutes passed before Goulding scored again, and in the meantime the Alkali forwards gave their opponents a lesson in the open game adopted by them. Their quick-time passing was a contrast to the methods by Golders Green, and no one could say their second goal was not deserved. Their head work was remarkably good.

From this point until the interval, Golders Green were seen to better advantage, and if they could have maintained that form the result might have been different.

Broadis reduced the lead with a penalty kick for an offence which did not look very serious, and a few minutes later it looked as though another penalty would be granted when Evans was brought down in a tackle, but only a kick from the corner was given.

To show the run of the play, it may be noted that it was close upon the interval before Golders Green took a kick from the corner flag.

The second half brought little or no improvement in the play of Golders Green. Although the halves, Broadis and Bloxham in particular, struggled hard to stave off the attack, the Alkali wingers seemed to have more than a full share of opportunities, and good use was made of them. In the centre they had a live wire in Hough, and it was he who, after the crossbar had been struck, gave Alkali their third goal, which was soon followed by a fourth [from the same player].

Golders Green were now a thoroughly beaten side, but ten minutes from the end Evans made the score more presentable by beating Lees.

The remainder of the play went in favour of the home side, Kimber continuing his fine work until the last minute.

It is a matter of regret that one cannot speak very highly of Golders Green, although in fairness to them it must be said that Alkali provided stronger opposition than they had been led to expect. We hardly expect them, however, to defeat the Casuals (at home) in the next round.

Kimber, Broadis, Bloxham and Browne were the pick of Golders Green, though none save Kimber can be said to have shown exceptional form.