Hampstead ran up an unexpectedly big score against Romford at Claremont Road on Saturday, and their win enhances their chances of winning the Athenian League championship. They now take second place, being one point behind Barking Town with one match in hand. Barnet are fourth.

Hampstead's three previous matches with Romford (they did not enter the Athenian League until last season) had all been drawn. When they met at Romford on New Year's Eve Hampstead were fortunate to get a point after establishing an early lead.

In the match on Saturday both clubs were well represented, although Romford were without Lumm, and Hampstead had to do without the services of Bloxham at right-half owing to a strained leg. This gave Seeney another chance, and he played a most useful game. The week's rest seemed to have benefited both Evans and Knott. Evans scored three goals and Knott one. Knott's was by far the best of the seven credited to Hampstead.

The ground was in a bad state owing to continuous rains, but overhead conditions were good, and there was quite a large crowd to witness a match which was more closely contested than the score of 7-1 would suggest. Three of the goals came late in the game. Of these Rowe got two. Until this time he had not been particularly successful, although he was, as usual, a hard worker. Hampstead do better on heavy grounds than the majority of teams, and this was clearly evident in this match.

Romford faced the sun in the first half, but started promisingly, Patterson, at outside-right, making several raids. Within five minutes, however, from a movement by Bucci, Hampstead opened the scoring through Evans after a scramble in the goalmouth. Knott had a good chance of getting another, but his shooting was weak. Bucci then gave the right wing a chance, but the visiting defence was sound. When in difficulties they did not hesitate to kick the ball back to their goalkeeper.

Romford forwards played an open game, trusting largely to their wingers, Patterson and Skinner, who had not to plough through so much mud as the inside men. Hampstead's defenders had much work to do, but one could not fail to notice that Dean was kicking much more strongly and accurately than he had done in some recent games, while his partner Richardson was also difficult to pass.

After a time Knott found the net, but was given offside, not the only time by any means. Other forwards were similarly penalised. Later Knott seemed almost certain of getting a goal after running a good distance, but a back worried him, and his shot went wide.

Smith was not greatly troubled, although he was kept fairly busy with goal kicks. In most instances he sent the ball well over the halfway line.

Romford's best chance came from a well-placed corner kick, and it was just a case of missing by inches.

With half-time fast approaching Hampstead scored their second goal through Evans from a centre by Knott. Evans was slightly injured in the tussle, and it looked as though Rowe, who was in a good position to score, was fouled.

Hampstead continued to press, and after Rees, from a free kick 20 yards out, had skimmed the crossbar, Evans broke through only to be stopped by the goalkeeper, whose clearance was one of his best pieces of work. However Spalton managed to beat him with a header from another pass by Knott, the interval score being 3-0.

Soon after the restart Evans scored again, and then came Romford's only success, Patterson converting a penalty given against Richardson. It was not a grave offence.

Romford, encouraged by this goal, then played a much stronger game, and had Hampstead's defence not bveen exceptionally sound they must have scored. One did not forget how Romford had upset the calculations of Hampstead in their last game, and there was a determination to prevent a repetition.

After a nice centre by Breagan - one of many - had been wasted, Knott, receiving from Rees, completely beat Peart, who touched the ball but faailed to stop its progress. It was a first-timer and easily the best goal of the day.

At this stage Knott was a constant source of trouble, and had the Romford defence not set themselves to place him offside there would have been many more goals from that wing.

Following a free kick Rowe at last got through to score a well-deserved goal, and just on time he brought Hampstead's total to seven.

The substantial win was gained by all-round excellence, and it can again be said that the half-back line was a dominant factor. Seldom has Rees been seen to better advantage, and the absence of Bloxham was not greatly felt.