The marked improvement in the play of the Hampstead team in the last few weeks may be gathered by the fact that they have not been beaten since Christmas Day, and that on Saturday last they were able to hold their own on the Walthamstow Avenue ground, where four goals were shared. This was a remarkably good performance, as the Avenue were League champions last year and are again well in the running for honours. At Cricklewood, in December, they beat Hampstead by five goals to none, so that there is no denying the fact that Hampstead are on the up grade.

One hardly expected them to get a League point on Saturday, but their play surprised the Avenue partisans, and we must say they have not put up a better performance this season. Had they been equally good in the first half of the campaign they would have had eyes on the championship.

The return of Bucci to the centre-half position strengthened the side, although he was not quite at his best. Hampstead, however, were well served by the wing halves. It was doubtful whether Young would be able to play, as he has been on the sick list, but happily his fine record of over 150 consecutive performances remains unbroken, and on present form there is no question of his being asked to stand down. On the other wing Butland was ubiquitous, and could well afford the jibes concerning his grandfatherly appearances from some voluable ladies in the stand. He was an outstanding player.

Walthamstow Avenue have an exceptionally good forward line, and it was reasonable to suppose that they would be too good for the young and inexperienced Hampstead backs. But the game was not far advanced before it was seen that Dean and Compton were able to hold their own. They are not a showy pair, but both kick with judgment and cover one another's movements well. Compton seems slow, but a long stride is an asset, and he has the coolness of a veteran. Smith (the captain) probably feels happier with this pair in front of him than he has for a long time.

As a goalkeeper, Smith played his part nobly. While the Avenue forwards did not live up to their reputation for marksmanship he was kept busy, and the fact that he was less spectacular in his clearances than he has sometimes been was all the better for his side.

The forwards did good work, but could not be classed as brilliant. It was not until the second half that we saw the best of Walsh. Then he made several gallant attempts to get the winning goal. Once he was perilously near getting through after dribbling many yards, but fell in the penalty area. The referee, however, was satisfied that there was no infringement, and bounced the ball. A penalty kick at that stage would probably have turned a draw into victory for Hampstead.

Morton justified his selection for outside-right. On the small side, he is not lacking in pluck, and knows how to centre. Edwards, promoted from the Reserves, had the misfortune to get hurt in the first half, and this may have affected his play. For a time he exchanged places with Moore, who did not get so much work as he should have done. Evans was not quite so prominent as usual, but managed to get his name on the score sheet once again.

On the Avenue side, Vango was an outstanding player at centre-half, and should have been watched more closely. Embleton and Lewis were a fine wing pair, and in checking many of their movements young Compton earned applause over and over again. On the other wing Lucas gave Dean a good deal of trouble, but was prevented from doing serious damage. On the whole it was one of the best games we have seen this year. A draw was a fitting result.

The Avenue had the choice of ground in the first half, but it conferred little or no advantage, as there was an absence of wind. The only drawback was the threatened fog, and though it was difficult to watch the game closely towards the end, the conditions were never such to warrant an abandonment.

Walthamstow opened the game with great dash, but it was not long before Hampstead settled down to good work, one of the best shots coming from Morton, who struck the post. From a pass by Butland, Evans just failed to head through and Walsh was inclined to delay in getting in a shot. "How did he miss?" was a reasonable question after Evans, after working splendidly to get into a shooting position, bungled his chance. It was close upon half-time before the scoring was opened, Pulling, the Avenue centre-forward, finding the net following a corner kick.

Hampstead were by no means discouraged at finding themselves one down at half-time, and returned to the field full of confidence. Within a short time they had taken the lead. From a free kick, taken by Bucci, Evans was within an ace of scoring, but before regret could be expressed Morton had done the trick with a good shot.

Then came a bombardment of the Hampstead goal, the defence emerging with flying colours. Dean did not resist kicking out when danger threatened, but more skilful players have had to resort to the same tactics.

Having got over a difficult time, Hampstead again attacked, and another goal was scored, Evans getting through from a nice centre by Morton, thus giving his side the lead. Not long afterwards Walthamstow equalised with a shot by Lewis, Smith letting the ball slip through his hands. It was, however, a difficult shot to deal with.

This ended the scoring, although both sides attacked with vigour, some of Walsh's work deserving better luck.