We were largely compensated for the unpleasant weather conditions at the new Enfield F.C. ground on Saturday by the exciting game. It was the divisional final of the F.A. Cup, and Enfield came out winners of a close and hard-fought match against Golders Green by 2-1. It was a fair reflection of the match.

A cold north wind was sweeping intermittent rain directly across the pitch and into the stand when Golders Green kicked off and began to force the ball up the touchline of their left wing. Eventually there was a free kick for hands, and Bucci crossed the ball into the centre, where it was temporarily cleared.

But for the first five minutes the visitors kept up the pressure in very pretty style, and those Golders Green fans who had braved the elements to shout for their team were sitting back and thinking: "This is all right. This is our game." The turning point came with unexpected suddenness when Browne put in a long shot which was carried wide of the goal.

Then we found Enfield pushing down to their opponents' goal, and Lister, the home team left-winger, centred beautifully with the wind. Kimber was forced to use his fists to clear.

A few minutes later Kirby was there on the right and a corner was forced. The centre dropped five yards out from the goalmouth. There was a snap shot, and Kimber was beaten. Luckily Hayward was with him and managed to kick it off the goalline. It was a lucky escape.

Now those Golders Green fans were sitting on the edge of their seats, their eyes anxious. For Enfield continued to attack. They swung the ball from one to another, and Golders Green found themselves rather at a loss, and, except for occasional rallies, unable to get the ball back to the other end.

Another corner from Kirby was headed over the top. Kimber was forced to push another shot round the upright - and the quality of the attack may to a certain extent be judged from that; for Kimber always gathers the ball if he is not too bothered.

Came a brief spell of relief with both visiting wingers trying long shots. But they were the kind of shots which give a goalkeeper a clear sight of the ball, and, with such a strong wind, were practically useless. Golders Green could not get to close quarters.

Enfield went away down their left wing and Kirby centred for Newman to shoot. Again Kimber was forced to punch it out. Kirby shot again, but the ball was blocked by Broadis's head.

By this time Golders Green were evidently getting rattled. Attempts at attack found the forwards badly out of formation, usually because they were helping the defence. The initiative definitely lay with Enfield.

However, a miskick on the part of one of their halves gave Green a chance to pass out to [F.] Boston. Boston put it in to Browne, who put it back to a closer Boston again. He shot, but Holmes - Enfield goalkeeper - though bothered by Green and Browne, managed to clear. This was really the closest the visitors came to scoring in the first half.

A second free kick for hands against Enfield was put by Broadis into the middle and Duffield put in a nice shot without any luck.

There were signs of a revival in the Golders Green team. There was another pretty movement diagonally across the field beginning in Boston and ending in Breagan, who went on a few yards and then centred. Duffield it was who shot again, and this time hit the outside of the side net.

But here it was, only four minutes to half-time, and no score. Spurred on by the cheers of the Enfield supporters, Lister made another of his dangerous dashes down the left wing and centred. His opposite number, Kirby, was there and scored with a neat shot to tye corner of the net. So the rest period came with Enfield leading 1-0.

The second half was a different matter. Perhaps because the visitors were acclimatised, there was more punch in their play, and now it was Enfield who were at a loss.

First signs of the revival came when Boston, Bucci, Bloxham and Browne all put in shots. The last-named was most likely to score, but Kinght, Enfield's centre-half, blocked the shot just in time.

Still, it was a ding-dong struggle, with Golders Green rather more on top. The issue was by no means certain, and the excitement was intense. For over 30 minutes of this half the struggle went on without a deciding move.

Then the Golders Green players switched position. Bucci went outside-left and [F.] Boston went left-half, possibly to give more push down the centre. There was an instant result.

The ball came sliding through from the left near the Enfield goal. Breagan was lucky enough to be there and unmarked. He pushed it in, so that ten minutes from the final whistle the teams were level at 1-1.

Golders Green supporters were jubilant. Surely their team could get another. Yet three times the visiting halves pushed up long forward passes for Green to snap up. And three times Green, in his eagerness, was declared offside.

When Enfield went away again, after Holmes had saved a hard shot from Browne, a Golders Green defender was penalised for some offence. The free kick went to the visitors' goalmouth, and after a moment of hesitation, when nobody knew very much what was happening, Newman managed to head in between Kimber's upstretched hand.

This, as it proved, was the decisive goal. The final whistle came three minutes later, with the score 2-1 for Enfield.

The outstanding player on the Golders Green side was Hayward, who by his reliable, and at times brilliant, form must have thoroughly consolidated his position at left-back.

The other members of the visiting team were, for the greater part of the game, at least capable. Green must watch that tendency to [get] offside. Joe Bloxham had a very bad day indeed.

How we wish Tommy Evans was back in the front line. He would give the forwards that touch of fire and inspiration they so badly need.