In their last three gamaes away in the Athenian League Hampstead have won four points. This would point to the fact that they are well in the running for the League championship, but figures do not always tell the true story. To get a point at Southall would in some past seasons have been regarded as a good performance, but at the moment Southall are at the bottom of the table, and we should be sorry to think that Hampstead's display on Saturday last represented the highest standard of Athenian League football. A few more performances of this kind will put them out of the running.

It was a bit of misfortune that Richardson, owing to an injury, was unable to play at left back, but his substitute, R. Dean, played a useful game, and the blame must fall elsewhere than on the defence, although, if we except Bucci who was in excellent form, it did not quite reach its highest standards. The forwards frittered away their chances in deplorable manner. There was little first time shooting. Most of them dallied with the ball until the opportunity was lost. Fancy work in the vicinity of the goal may appeal to some, but it does not often bear fruit.

It is true that Lewis was remarkably safe in goal, but one would have thought that with the line of forwards which had been hailed as the best Hampstead have had for years past it would have been possible to have beaten the defence two or three times. Breagan, despite the fact that he was carefully watched by some of his old colleagues - with Spalton and Gibbs he formed part of Southall's attack last year - was again the pick of the front line. Little can be said in praise of the others, and it is unfortunate that Spalton cannot regain that form which marked his early-season work.

There was some little improvement in Gibbs's play, but there must be still more if progress is to be made. Evans was far too selfish. He may think he is serving his side best by clinging to the ball persistently, but those with a keen knowledge of the game have come to the conclusion that far more is lost than won by attempting too much, particularly as we know that others can shoot at times.

Rees has played many better games, but there was little fault to find with Bloxham, while, as we have said, Bucci at left-half was in tip-top form.

The first half of the game was evenly contested, and Hampstead did not deserve to lead by more than the goal which was scored by Spalton some thirty minutes after the start, but upon crossing over Southall fell away tremendously and seemed unable to do anything right. Here was the opportunity for Hampstead to pile up a big total. But no goals came. There were as many as half-a-dozen corners in the space of about the same number of minutes. Most of these, taken by Breagan, were accurately placed, but there was no one to give the finishing touch.

It is a somewhat rare occurrence to find two brothers at back. In this match the captain, F.H. Dean, had the company of his younger brother. Bob Dean has benefited from his experience with the Reserves, and frequently came in for a cheer from the Hampstead fraternity.

We cannot say that Smith was to blame for the goal which was scored by Southall about ten minutes from the end. It came from a free kick taken by Christie from a long distance out near the side line. The finishing touch was given by Eagles. Smith had long spells of idleness : Lewis, on the other hand, was kept going practically all the time, and had a big share in Southall's partial success.

It was one of the dullest afternoons from several points of view. The play was not only far from thrilling, but there was a drizzling rain, and though play was limited to 40 minutes each half, the match ended in semi-darkness.