Those who did not witness the Athenian League game between Hampstead and Redhill on the Surrey club's ground on Saturday may, judging by the score, think that Hampstead did fairly well in merely losing by the odd goal. But the score does not give a correct impression of the play. Hampstead were losing by 3-1 when the referee glanced at his watch, but with the last kick of the match Hampstead scored again. We have to admit that Hampstead were soundly beaten; beaten, moreover, by a club occupying the last place but one in the League table. Redhill have only won four games out of 18, but they have taken three points from Hampstead, as they drew at Claremont Road earlier in the season.

That the defeat was not heavier was due to the exceptionally good defence established by Smith, Dean and Richardson. As a trio they have given no better show this year. Dean's work at times has been patchy, but in this match he both tackled and kicked well. Richardson was alike good. He enhances his reputation week by week. Smith had not the slightest chance with any of Redhill's three successful shots. The number he saved that looked like scoring we lost count of.

There was an improvement in the half-back line, but we cannot say it reached a particularly high standard. Of the three we preferred Bloxham.

The forwards again disappointed. Their passing was bad, and for the most part shooting lacked sting. It was in this department that Redhill were top dogs. Tomlinson was a capital leader, and though he made many bad shots he did not lose opportunities. This cannot be said of Evans, particularly in the first half, when his old fault of getting on to the wings to find an opening and then losing the ball, was constantly seen. Later he made some really good efforts, but by no means had a happy day. Spalton got both goals, but one would not place him on a pinnacle for this alone, and while Breagan put in some useful centres, we cannot fail to note that he is not showing early-season form. For a long time Knott would not get work; when chances came his way they were not used profitably. Rowe was a plodder, and more than that cannot be said.

Within two minutes of the start Tomlinson had scored for Redhill, with a remarkably good shot, and it was soon evident that he was a man to be carefully watched. On the day's play he was too much for Rees. It was a long time before Hampstead got really dangerous. They had a few corner kicks, from one of which Breagan headed by, and from another Rees shot over the bar. One of their best shots came from Knott, who until then had seldom touched the ball. Smith dealt very cleverly with a shot by Saggers, the Redhill captain, at inside-right. Offside decisions were given against both teams, Evans being the offender in Hampstead's case.

A corner was on the point of being taken by Hampstead when the whistle blew for half-time.

On the run of the play Redhill deserved their lead of 1-0, but it might be pointed out that Hampstead had been handicapped by the sun.

From the play at the opening of the second half it looked as though Hampstead would soon recover lost ground. The Redhill goal had some lucky escapes. Five minutes from the restart Spalton brought the scores level, and then there was every hope that from the way Hampstead had been playing more would soon follow.

These hopes, however, were falsified. Hampstead had chances, but they were frittered away. On the other hand, only superlative defensive play kept out the Redhill forwards, who were playing an open game and were much faster than the visiting attackers. From a corner Lister scored Redhill's second goal, although it looked as if Rowe was fouled in this attack. A minute or two later Tomlinson scored again after another scrimmage.

In the closing stages Hampstead had another spurt. Sherman made good saves from Rowe and Evans, and just on time was beaten by Spalton.