Two defensive mistakes which led to Wood Green goals, and two superb saves by Gulliver, that team's 16-year-old reserve goalkeeper, were turning points in this Middlesex Senior Cup Tie on Saturday.

The Wood Green ground, owing to a week of rain and a burst water-main, was a sea of mud, with puddles in which the ball stopped dead. Golders Green were unwise, in these circumstances, to try so much dribbling and close passing.

Griffiths worked brilliantly and tirelessly, but the Green's attack never was a forceful combination. The other star of the line was Hicks, a 15-year-old reserve, who was brought in at outside-right, as Stroud and King were not available. He should soon be a candidate for a regular place.

Wood Green, by hard, first-time kicking, exercised considerable pressure, but the Green, though with the wind against them and facing an awkward sun, had their fair share of the play. After 20 minutes, HICKS got away on the right, cut home and rammed in a shot which Gulliver touched but could not prevent entering the net. WESTLEY levelled the score 25 minutes later, and then King brilliantly stopped the same player at the expense of a corner.

In the second half, 20 minutes had elapsed when Blair jumped the ball, which went to BENNETT, who promptly shot home. Then Cochrane sent in a great shot which Gulliver tipped for a corner. After half-an-hour, BLAIR ran through to score Wood Green's third. Five minutes before the end, HICKS scored the visitors' second, from an acute angle.