Finchley were fortunate in gaining a 3-2 victory over Golders Green last Saturday in the semi-final of the Middlesex Red Cross Cup. A doubtful penalty for hands, which the majority of referees would certainly not have given, put them on the road to victory. The Green fought back with dogged determination, gained the lead and held on to it for a long time, Finchley's winning goal coming one minute from the end.

Golders Green played the better football, but there was a lack of punch in front of goal, and a weakness on the left flank of their defence : Mitchell and Bucci were outstanding for much clever work, Sealey, though playing under the handicap of an injury received the previous day, was in fine form, while Fisher and Sale did all that was asked of them.

Finchley's play, by contrast, was rugged and forceful, but at times crude; they relied much on long kicking.

Fifteen minutes had gone by when Finchley were awarded a penalty for hands -- an accidental offence if ever there was one. F. BOSTON scored from the spot.

Golders Green replied vigorously ; within three minutes Mitchell put the ball to Pulling, who lobbed it across for BUCCI to equalise with a fine shot.

Six minutes later, the Green had a free kick; Willis intercepted the ball but headed it to Bucci, who again headed across the goal for GOODCHILD to run in and give the Green the lead.

After the interval Finchley had the advantage of slope and wind, but the Green held them in check. Mitchell for Golders Green and Hanwell for Finchley both hit the crossbar with good efforts, but Hanwell's shot rebounded to F. BOSTON who put in a fine drive to equalise with 20 minutes left for play.

Roberts had to be nippy to stop a header from Pulling from Goodchild's centre, while Stroud nearly converted a pass by Mitchell, the ball going just outside the far post.

Finchley gained several corners, but these were all cleared; then, with barely a minute left for play, Baker got away down the right wing and centred for RAYNOR to head the winning goal, Rogers making a gallant but unavailing effort to divert the ball as it flew into the net.