Golders Green put up their best performance of the season -- and, indeed, of the whole war period -- when, at Western Road last Saturday, they defeated the robust and workmanlike Southall side 4-2, and so qualified to receive Acton United in the Semi-Final of the Middlesex Senior Cup.

Golders Green were at full strength, with Stroud at outside right and Bossoms at left back, while Bucci sportingly stood down for Welland, on leave, to occupy the left half berth. The side soon settled down to a hard fought and vigorous encounter, in which no quarter was asked or given. It was typical cup-tie football, thrilling and exciting. If special praise is due anywhere, perhaps Bossoms at left back, Welland at left half, and Gallacher at centre half should be singled out for it : but the whole eleven worked hard and well, thoroughly deserving their win.

The Green started somewhat shakily and after a short spell on attack, allowed Southall to hit back. SNAZEL fastened on to the ball and, after five minutes' play, gave the home side the lead with a great shot from about 15 yards out. The Green's equaliser came after 20 minutes : Brown handled, and following the free kick, Stroud passed for BARKER to open the visitors' account.

Two minutes later, Golders Green went ahead. GOODCHILD received a pass well out, ran through and beat Green who got his foot to the ball but could not prevent it entering the net.

Southall's equaliser came after half an hour's play. Briggs, a splendid worker on their left wing, sent the ball in to MORRAD who shot past McCann from short range.

The interval arrived with the scores level at two-all, and the second half was goalless ; both sides had chances, and McCann made some great saves under pressure : Green, in the other goal, had a number of busy periods. Just on time, Southall had a very fortunate escape. Following good work by Stroud, Worthington put the ball to Goodchild, but, with Green at the other end of the goal, the ball went outside the post. With the scores level at full time, the extra half hour had to be played.

The first period of extra time opened with some very even exchanges, but gradually the Green began to get on top. After 10 minutes, Worthington put Stroud well away, and BARKER converted his centre to give the Green the lead again. Almost at once, the visitors attacked and Goodchild had really bad luck with a grand shot which hit the crossbar and rebounded into play, with Green beaten. Just on the midway point of extra point, however, Stroud again gave BARKER a good pass from which the Green's centre forward notched the fourth goal.

Southall started the second quarter of an hour with a desperate effort to reduce the arrears : they gained several corners, and once McCann ran out to pick the ball from a melee of players and clear. The home side tried a number of positional changes, without avail, and gradually the pressure eased, with Southall appearing to admit defeat. The game ended with Golders green attacking.

Barker, who has now played five games at centre forward for Golders Green, registered his third "hat trick" and is the first of their forwards to reach double figures for this season.