I just checked, and it's true that the Vampire Lord defeats the Golem. I apologize if I misled anyone. It seems that retaliatory strike and speed are very important!
However, in a battle of 210 vs. 210 (7 units of 30 creatures each), Golems win, I checked it on auto-battle.
The Golem's stats are certainly good, I must say.
Retaliatory strike is an amazing bonus! Speed is a plus, but not so significant... (there are examples where a unit with retaliatory strike won a battle, even though the priority was with its opponent).
However, in a battle of 210 vs. 210 (5 units of 42 creatures each), which gives 10500 experience, Golems lose, both in a regular auto-battle and in an auto-battle within the battle itself. :)
The Golem's stats are good, but they can't do anything against Vampire Lords. :)
Sincerely.