The fact that Golders Green were without three usual first team men against Nunhead on Saturday at Claremont Road is some excuse for their defeat by three goals to none in the London Senior Cup-tie, but hardly sufficient to account for their weak display, which came as a great disappointment. Nunhead were superior in practically every position. They played as a team and not as eleven individuals, and had it not been for some exceptionally good saves by Godding, the visitors' score might easily have been doubled.

Had Hodge turned an easy chance to account in the first few minutes we might have had to tell a different tale. He had the goal at his mercy, but hooked the ball over the top.

No more easy chances of the kind came the way of Golders Green. They put up a very good fight in the first half, and within the space of three minutes three free kicks, not far from the penalty line, were given against the visitors. Nunhead, however, have in Mulley one of the best goalkeepers in the South, and it required a much stronger attack than was seen in this match to beat him.

Golders Green were without A.J. Breagan, T.E. Edwards and T.E. Evans in the forward line.

Two of Nunhead's players were formerly in Golders Green's [reserve] team, and both seem to be making good. Holton did well at left-half, and at outside left Denis Compton, particularly in the second half, was a thorn in the flesh to the defence, and received a good cheer from his old-time admirers when he got the second goal.

The withdrawal of the captain, G. Bucci, from the half-back line weakened the defence. Joyce, who is always willing to fill a gap, was not up to the form needed against a strong team like Nunhead, and at right-half it was evident that White had not fully recovered from a groin injury. Weakness in these two positions placed an undue amount of responsibility on Broadis and the backs.

Drainage work carried out during the week had improved the playing pitch, especially in the goalmouth, and as the day was finer for football than we have had for some time we expected a match that would satisfy the fairly large crowd. But, as we have indicated, most of the good play came from the Nunhead and not the Golders Green side.

The early stages of the game did not foreshadow such a heavy defeat for Golders Green, as apart from the chance given to Hodge, to which we have already referred, they were often in the vicinity of Nunhead's goal, Drinkwater being the man most likely to be successful. There was every promise, too, that Evans might show some of the form that brought him International honours, but though he worked hard he had little luck.

On the other hand, Nunhead had not only a live line of forwards, but the half-backs were responsible for some good shots.

From a free kick, well placed, Hodge just failed to head through, and then, at the end of thirty minutes, Nunhead scored the first ggoal through Alflatt, who headed the ball into the net after Godding had been drawn out of position.

Godding was almost beaten soon afterwards by a centre by Staiano, a really live wire who gave Richardson no end of trouble.

However, nothing further happened until the interval, and although a team one down at change of ends need not be depressed, the play shown by Golders Green did not hold out much hope of success.

We had the same weak exhibition, even more so, in the second half. Before long Compton, who was some time in showing his true form, worked his way into the centre to score a good goal.

Following came a bombardment by Nunhead, with splendid work by Godding, danger coming largely from the right wing with Staiano prominent. This onslaught was futile, and then we had a bright interlude by Golders Green. Drinkwater sent across some good centres, Evans made one of his characteristic runs which led to a fruitless corner, and there were one or two other bright pieces of play by the home side that helped to lift the gloom which had been thrown over the earlier play. But try as they would, Mulley was not seriously troubled.

Just before the end Alflatt scored Nunhead's third goal after a very determined effort without requiring assistance.

Thus Golders Green have again done badly in the London Senior Cup. They had previously beaten Hounslow by 4-0, but that reflected no great amount of credit on them, as Hounslow are a lowly-placed Spartan League club.

We must hope for a better show this weekend against Enfield in the Amateur Cup.