Those who saw the Athenian League game on the Leyton ground on Monday night had a real treat. Golders Green, against a strong Leyton side, put up their best performance this season, and were well worthy of their victory by five goals to one. They were a goal down at the interval, despite the fact that they had shown themselves to be the better side, but in the second half they overran their opponents, and after they had equalised fifteen minutes after the change-over there was little doubt as to the result.

Those who jump to the conclusion that Leyton did not take the match seriously are greatly mistaken. Although there were necessarily some changes in the team which played in the Amateur Cup final, the side contained several International players, while at no time was there evidence that they were not putting forth every effort to win points. Right up to the end they battled bravely, but were up against a much cleverer side.

Golders Green's team underwent two changes, Spalton and Evans standing down for Joy and Couchman, members of the Casuals F.C.

The introduction of Joy gave Broadis an opportunity to play at centre-forward, in which position he put up a creditable show.

In the early stages Breagan was prominent, and from one of his centres Knott had a splendid opening, but hit the post. A little later Knott again failed after he had secured from a suspiciously offside position and made a good run. This was rather discouraging, but happily it had no effect on the other players, and while Leyton played well, Golders Green were slightly better, the visiting half-back line being a potent factor. The combination was excellent. Few passes went astray, and Holding had far more work to do than Smith. To Tufnell came Leyton's best chances, but his shooting was not good.

Broadis was a real live wire in the centre of Golders Green's front line. His methods were unorthodox, and he baffled Armitage time after time, but perhaps one of the best efforts was that by Rowe, who was on top form, and that is saying a great deal.

Davis, at outside-left, forced a corner off Ellis, and this brought Smith well into the limelight. The corner was cleared, but following another free kick the ball was handled in the penalty area. The offence did not appear to be intentional, but the spot kick was allowed. Smith had no chance to save Gregory's shot. The Leyton back gave Golders Green a lesson on how to take penalty kicks.

This proved to be the only goal scored in the first half, although on the run of the play Golders Green deserved to have a lead of at least three goals. Leyton's goal underwent miraculous escapes. With Holding on the ground shots were rained in, but in some uncanny manner were cleared, and after a brief interlude, during which Coates looked like adding to Leyton's score, Holding came in for another hot period, the Leyton goal being stormed. Following a free kick, Knott put in a fine shot which deserved a better result than a corner kick. Great credit must be given to Holding for withstanding such a fusillade.

But well as Golders Green had played in the first half, their show after the change of ends came as a surprise even to the most optimistic supporter.

In this period we saw Drinkwater at his best. He did not score (he seems content to leave shooting to others), but he was far too elusive for his opponents, and time and again sent the ball to his partners. Knott was ever making efforts to atone for earlier incidents, and a ground shot almost proved too much for Holding. At the end of 15 minutes the equalising goal came through Broadis, following a corner taken by Drinkwater.

After that Leyton could not hold Golders Green. Holding saved smartly from Broadis, but from the second of two free kicks for Golders Green, taken by Drinkwater, Breagan was rewarded for much clever work, his header beating Holding.

By remarkable combination, the ball passing from man to man with unerring accuracy, Golders Green kept up the attack, and at last Knott placed his name on the score sheet, after running with the ball from near the half-way line. Keeping a cool head, he brought the ball close to Holding, and then cleverly tricked him. Knott was perhaps lucky in not being ruled offside, but there was no question about the merit of his second goal, which came directly afterwards.

Except for spasmodic efforts, Leyton were a spent force, and after further commendable efforts by Knott and Drinkwater, Broadis completed an excellent evening's work by scoring from a pass by Knott.

The game was a thoroughly enjoyable one. It was free from unsportsmanlike methods, and Leyton, though needing points badly, were not slow in congratulating Golders Green upon their handsome victory. It was a victory in which every man played his part, but without wishing to be invidious, we must attribute it largely to the domination of the half-back trio over a forward line which contained players bearing a high reputation. Bucci, the Golders Green captain, has every reason to look back upon this match with pride. He has never played a better game, nor received better support from the team.