Barnet, last year's Athenian League champions, and the present leaders in the competition, were humbled before their own spectators on Saturday, Hampstead winning by three goals to none. This was Hampstead's best performance away from home for months. The score by no means under-represents Hampstead's superiority : in fact, Barnet could not have complained had they been beaten by at least five goals.

It is true that the absence of Lester Finch (who was representing the Southern Counties at Leyton) was a distinct to loss to Barnet ; on the other hand Hampstead had to take the field without their regular goalkeeper, S.R. Smith. Business claims are likely to keep him out of the side for two or three weeks.

In no department, however, were Hampstead inferior. Even E.G. Cornell, who took Smith's place in goal, was as brilliant as the Barnet captain, H.P. Jones, who has seldom had a livelier time in the goalmouth. The Barnet backs, Hughes and Garrett, have served the club well, but they are reaching the veteran stage, and a glance at Barnet's goal average provides food for thought. We much preferred Hampstead's pair, Dean and Richardson. The latter gave an outstanding performance - his best since he joined the club. The Barnet halves also suffered in comparison with the Hampstead trio, who were on top form. It seemed as though they wished to atone for their innocuous display against Slough in the cup-tie. While each was deserving of much credit, we think an extra word of praise is due to Bloxham, whose tackling was exceptionally good. He beat his wingers time after time. Rees, too, was the master of Morris, Barnet's crack centre-forward, who seldom got in a decent shot. Bucci was most effective at left-half, and we can trace Hampstead's easy victory - for such it was - to the strength of this line.

E.G. Gibbs came into Hampstead's side at outside-left as partner to Spalton, with whom he played for Southall. The change is for the better. Hampstead now have a forward line which, we venture to say, will compare favourably with any other line in the Athenian League. It is true that on Saturday they scored but three goals, but the slippery state of the ground was responsible for many mishaps. Rowe, a most constructive player, was in our opinion the best forward on the field.

What we admired about the game was the manner in which the Hampstead eleven co-operated. There was evident throughout a desire to sink individualism for the common good. Evans did not score, but we are inclined to think that he helped the club more than he has sometimes done when he has scored more goals. The team work was excellent, whereas Barnet were often at sea.

Barnet's supporters frequently showed their disappointment by ironical remarks. On Saturday's form Barnet have not the ghost of a chance of retaining the League championship, but there have been times when equally hard things could have been said of Hampstead. This win, however, will do Hampstead a world of good. A continuance of such play will soon give them a place near the top of the table.

The opening play was fairly even. Chief amongst Hampstead's marksmen were Bucci and Richardson, the latter taking a chance from near the half-way line ; while Pullen was for a time the most dangerous forward on the home side. Cornell made a grand save by tipping the ball over the bar, Barnet getting the first corner.

Hampstead were perhaps fortunate in not having a penalty kick given against them. The ball was handled, but not intentionally, so it seemed, and the referee allowed the game to proceed. Good work led to Breagan, a real live wire, shooting across the goalmouth, and then Spalton, who seemed very happy with Gibbs as a partner, got across to the right, where he forced a corner. Barnet cleared, but at the end of twenty minutes' interesting play Gibbs, who from the outset had shown great promise, signalised his debut in the team by getting a good goal from a right wing pass.

From that time there was no looking back on the part of Hampstead. Evans struck the upright, one of many good attempts, and from others came equally good shots. During this bombardment Jones played splendidly in goal, while one could not fail to admire the way in which the backs - two old stagers - stuck to their guns. Barnet seldom got by the visiting backs, who covered one another magnificently. Richardson never made a miskick.

Just before half-time two corners fell to Hampstead. These were cleared, and in a last minute rush Pullen got down on the right only to shoot wide.

Hampstead therefore led at half-time by 1-0 : a score of 3-0 would have better represented the run of the game until this time.

The effects of a hard game told more upon Barnet than the visiting side, and as play progressed several of the Barnet players showed signs of distress. Their work did not improve, and the frequency with which the backs sent the ball to Jones showed that they were in difficulties.

Barnet were seldom dangerous. Early in the second half they had a free kick just outside the penalty area, but they did not profit from it.

After about fifteen minutes from the change over Rowe headed through from Bucci's pass ; a minute or two later, from a pass by Breagan, Rowe scored Hampstead's third goal with a terrific shot.

These two successes disposed of any hope Barnet might have of saving the match. It is true that against Bromley the previous week they were able to draw after being three goals down : but Hampstead never looked like being the underdog. Breagan had hard luck in not getting a fourth goal, his work throughout the game being excellent.

Barnet, to their credit, played desperately to open their account, but Cornell demonstrated his worthiness to be in goal, and it was fortunate for Hampstead that there was such an able substitute for Smith. Cornell was quick on the ball. He cleared the ball without wasting a second, and well deserved the applause he received.

Those who hoped to see Hampstead pile on goals in the last half-hour were disappointed, but after all a clear three goal margin on the Barnet ground is something to be proud of.