Friday 16 September - Reserves show good form

GOLDERS GREEN RESERVES 3, TOOTING & MITCHAM UNITED RESERVES 2. Golders Green Reserves and Tooting & Mitcham United Reserves had a ding-dong struggle at Claremont Road on Saturday, when they met for the second time in the Athenian League Reserve Section. The result was a reversal of their previous encounter, the Greens winning by three goals to two. There was a strong wind blowing along the pitch towards the pavilion, and during the first half Tooting and Mitcham had the advantage of it in their backs. Even with this, however, they could not succeed in forcing a serious breach in the defence. Right at the start of the game there was a thrill when the visitors made a concerted attack on the Golders Green goal and nearly succeeded in scoring. Noot and Pidgeon were on the spot and, helped by the half-backs, they were able to clear. The pass went to Marcantonio, on the left wing, and he took the ball away neatly. Working well in combination with Long, he passed the opposing halves, Rooney and Jarrett, and centred to Pinkham, who just failed to score. Much of the play after this was inconsequential, first one and then the other team having the advantage, but failing to press it home. Golders Green were the first to score, after about half-an-hour's play. They were able to force a corner, and it was taken by Marcantonio. As the ball came across it was cleared, but not successfully, and it went to PINKHAM, who placed a beautiful shot right in the back of the net. This had the effect of spurring Tooting on to greater efforts, and they pressed hard. This time they were able to break through, and CHAPPELL, the centre-forward, played a dropping shot which deceived Lines, the goalkeeper. He tried to fist it out, but misjudged the fall of the ball, and it slid over his hand into goal. With the score level, Golders Green renewed their attack with vigour and kept the play near the visitors' goal. Eventually they made a fast attack from the left wing, and Marcantonio made a lovely pass right across the goalmouth. This was not intercepted by an other forward, and would have passed harmlessly away, but RUSSELL. the Tooting left-back, came sprinting in towards the goal at top speed, and, before he could avoid it, he had caught the ball and sent a well-nigh perfect shot into the net. This accident left Golders Green leading at half-time, and play proceeded without much incident until about a quarter-of-an-hour from time, when the Greens increased their lead to 3-1. MORGAN, the right winger, was well placed, just outside a crowd of players in front of the Tooting goal, and the ball passed backwards to him. He was quick to take advantage of the position he found with the keeper leaving the goalmouth unattended, and placed a beautiful shot clean in the net. This left little doubt as to where the victory would lie, but Tooting did not relax their efforts, bringing the play back to the Golders Green end of the field. They pressed hard and finally they were rewarded with a goal similar to the second scored for Golders Green. A pass came across the front of goal, and PIDGEON, in trying to clear, miskicked and sent the ball past Lines. On the whole Golders Green Reserves put up a good display of football, and certain of the new men are deserving of congratulation, notably Morgan, Pinkham and Willmott. Marcantonio persisted in holding on too long. Pidgeon and Noot were sound as a defence, and Lines played well when called upon. In the Tooting team the close co-operation between the forwards and the halves was a noticeable point, and Jones made a number of good individual efforts as the centre-forward. Golders Green Reserves : A. Lines; W. Noot, W. Pidgeon; G. Marrable, R. Button, G.Bucci; G. Morgan, F. Long, A.I. Pinkham, E. Willmott, L.J. Marcantonio. (Hendon Times, 16/09/1938, p. 4)

Posted at 18:00

Friday 09 September - Ten man Reserves draw

MOLESEY 2, GOLDERS GREEN RFESERVES 2. Without a League fixture on Saturday, Golders Green Reserves arranged a friendly match with Molesey. Unfortunately, the visitors fielded a depleted side, and played with ten men, but in spite of this handicap managed to draw 2-2. The Green took the lead in about 10 minutes, a movement on the right wing giving Ponting, at right-half, an opportunity of putting Pinkham through. He gave the ball to Morgan, a new young outside-right, and the winger put over a glorious pass across to MARCANTONIO, who screwed the ball into the right hand corner of the net. Molesey equalised just before the interval, which arrived with the score 1-1. In the sdecond half Golders Green pressed strongly, and within a quarter-of-an-hour they went ahead again. Marcantonio gave to Pinkham, who put the ball back to the wing. ROWE ran into an open space close in and the ball came back to him to tap into the net. Molesey pressed hard for the equaliser, which came with about a quarter-of-an-hour to go. It was a good game, well contested, in spite of the visitors' disadvantage. Lines might have saved the home side's second goal by coming out, but on the whole he played a satisfactory game as custodian. Noot and Pidgeon performed well, while Ponting, a new player from the 'Spurs Juniors, gave a splendid display at right-half. Another 'Spurs Junior, at centre-half, Button, showed a very fine conception of the game and gace a good exhibition. Pinkham worked hard and well at centre-forward, and the two wingers, Marcantonio and Morgan, did all that was asked of them. (Hendon Times, 09/09/1938, p. 4)

Posted at 18:00

Friday 02 September - Reserves' heavy loss

TOOTING & MITCHAM UNITED RESERVES 4, GOLDERS GREEN RESERVES 1. In their opening League game with Tooting & Mitcham United Res., Golders Green Res. played well in the first half of the game, but Scott, at outside-right, was the weak link, and they were unlucky to be 2 down at half-time. Early on Pidgeon handled in the area and Tooting opened their scoring. They went further ahead when Noot was drawn out of position. In the second half the Greens were outplayed, and it was only the sterling display of the defence which saved them from a heavier adverse score. Lines, in goal, and Ward, at right-half, were outstanding in their play. BUSTARD scored the Greens' only goal from a penalty. (Hendon Times, 02/09/1938, p.4)

Posted at 18:00