Golders Green played a strong game at Romford and, in the first half, had a very full share of the play. After the change of ends it still appeared to be anybody's game, but the surprise goal for Romford changed the whole complexion of the match, and the Romford supporters may be said to have cheered their team on to victory. Golders Green deserved more than one goal, and it is fair to point out that they were handicapped for a considerable time by an injury to Lovell, who eventually changed places with Breagan, on the right wing.

The only change in the Golders Green team from the previous week was the dropping of Brown and the inclusion of Coppola at centre-forward. The whole team played well, though the halves were stronger in attack than defence. Graves, in the thick of it everywhere, worked hard throughout the game, and Caswell gave a pleasing display, with good strong clearance kicking.

Romford also had a change at centre-forward, Jack Wright taking the place of J.F. Osborne, who was voluntarily standing down for a rest. Dave Walker, late of Golders Green, was the centre of interest for visiting supporters, and he was prominent in most of the Romford attacks, finally moving to centre-forward when the front line was rearranged after the interval. Paviour was a grand centre-half, and Poxon, the individualist, was as good as ever.

Golders Green, who won the toss, were quickly attacking on the left, and from a throw-in the ball was worked to the penalty area, but Parrish stepped out to take it from a pass by Owen, and his clearance put Romford on the offensive. A lovely forward pass from Paviour would have provided Mudford with an opening, but he was not quick enough to seize it.

Golders Green came into action again and Coppola, taking the ball up from Bucci, passed to Ellison in front of goal, but the ball was running awkwardly and Ellison made nothing of it. Play swung to the other end and Patterson made a great effort, but his centre was intercepted by Caswell. Mudford forced a corner off Caswell, and from the corner kick Bridge hooked the ball round well, but it swerved behind the upright.

Golders Green's next attack ended with Breagan losing the ball to Sergeant after working with great promise, and Romford set up a raid on the left wing, Patterson and Walker combining well. At the last minute Patterson swung the ball across to Mudford, whose shot missed badly.

Wright was opening up the play well for Romford, but twice good work was wasted by Mudford missing open goals. At the other end Coppola had hard luck with a grand first-timer, slamming the ball just past the upright to crash against the board behind the net. Then a lovely pass from Coppola gave Breagan a golden chance, and he drove in a fine shot to the corner of the net, but Parrish was there. Next Parrish held one from F. Boston, Ellison shot a trifle too high, and Lovell, taking a centre from Breagan, also lifted the ball over the top.

Romford got going again, and a long pass forward found Patterson unmasrked. He ran the ball close in, before meeting with opposition ; then pushed it to Walker, but Dave was not expecting it and Caswell profited by the hesitation to slip in and clear. It was a third " cert " missed by Romford. Soon afterwards Wright was unlucky not to convert one of Patterson's centres.

W. Boston relieved the pressure and Bucci got the ball out to Breagan, who had the double mortification of shooting over the bar and being ruled offside at the same time, after a good piece of work. Then Boston placed the ball well for Owen, and Golders Green came very near to scoring. Parrish came out to meet the ball, but missed it. Owen fell in dodging round the goalkeeper, and Coppola was not near enough to finish off. Had Owen tapped the ball round the goalkeeper instead of trying to pass him the result would have been certain.

Bridge was injured in the next Romford raid, and had to leave the field, but was soon on again. Romford were always clever in their approach work, but there was some clumsy finishing, or they would have taken the lead close to half-time, though not having more of the play than Golders Green, who promised success with many quick raids by both wings and determined work in the centre. One of Boston's " nasty ones " taken on the run nearly beat Parrish, but he leapt into action and gathered the ball in the nick of time, just below the bar level.

Romford were pressing again when half-time arrived, but Golders Green looked in no particular danger.

After the interval Romford re-arranged their forward line. Walker moved to centre-forward, Wright going to outside-right and Mudford to inside-left. There was now more dash in the front line, and Barlow soon had shots to save. But Golders Green were unusually quick on the ball, and their chances still looked good, though Romford were more dangerous than in the first half. Golders Green survived three corners, the last being headed away by Graves, and Bucci tranferred the play to the other end, where Breagan and Ellison worked well together, but their efforts only led to a corner. Breagan centred well and Bucci only just failed to connect. From another corner kick F. Boston shot wide of the net. A third corner also failed, and from the goal-kick the Romford forwards got on the move again. Walker broke away and, when Barlow came out to meet him, lifted the ball over the goalkeeper's head. A goal seemed certain, but Graves nipped in and got his head to the ball, saving a goal at the expense of a corner.

The second half had been 20 minutes in play when Romford took the lead. Barlow had saved one shot, but PATTERSON secured the ball and dropped a rather long shot close under the bar. Barlow was out of position, but Graves was in the goalmouth and would undoubtedly have headed clear had the ball not given every promise of landing on top of the net.

This one goal sealed the fate of Golders Green. Romford, encouraged by the lead and the cheering of their supporters, pressed hard, and within one minute WALKER converted a pass from Bridge to give them their second goal. Golders Green fought back well and Coppola came near to success, but scraped the ball over the crossbar. But Romford were in winning mood, and less than ten minutes had passed when their third goal came, once again from WALKER, who was well served by Patterson and only had to push the ball over the line.

Mudford missed two chances of increasing the score, and Barlow saved well from Sergeant.

The game closed in semi-darkness, and the light had almost failed when Boston put the ball through to OWEN to prove himself an opportunist and gave Golders Green their one goal.