Goals by Butland and Evans, scored within the first twenty minutes, gave Hampstead the pleasure of inflicting the first defeat on Barking Town in seven League games played by them this season. The play of the visiting team justified their position near the head of the League table, and they were a little unfortunate in not opening their account. They had, prior to Saturday, averaged 3.5 goals per match in League games. It was an exceptionally good performance by Hampstead's defence to maintain a clean sheet - for the first time this season, by the way - considering that L.H. Compton was unable to appear at left-back owing to a boil on his foot. His place was taken very creditably by A.H. Elwell, who has appeared on several occasions in the first team. Unlike a good many footballers, Elwell possesses the real club spirit, and does not feel he has a grievance when he is asked to act as reserve. Any piece of good work on his part was met with encouraging applause. In the absence of his regular partner, Dean seemed anxious to take on extra duty, and we are glad to say that he did so extremely well. Smith, in goal, also played with his old-time assurance, some of his saves in the second half being reminiscent of days when he alone has stood between Hampstead and defeat.

The work of the half-backs was sound. Graves, who has taken the place of Freddy Young, now endeavouring to bring success to Hendon, of which club he is captain, improves weekly, and as for Bucci. the left-half, it is contended that there is no better man for the position in London amateur football.

Though chances were missed, the forwards gave a good display, working in unison. A much more open game is now being given, the outside men - Lloyd and Bramley - having more chances. It was good to find that hard worker, Butland, score a goal, a thing he has not been guilty of since the second week in September. It looked as if he was given the chance by Evans, who was himself well placed. By scoring the second goal Evans brought his tally for the season up to 14. He has found the net in every competition match save against Walthamstow Avenue and Southall, and in these two games all the other Hampstead men failed.

Barking have a good eleven this season. Most of them are young players, and with a seasoning of experienced men they proved to be as good a side as has been seen at Claremont Road this season, despite the fact that there were two or three last-minute changes.

Playing delightful football, Barking looked as if they would carry all before them, and Elwell soon had a testing period. He did not fail his side, although he cannot yet resist the temptation to get far forward and sometimes to send the ball, without warning, back to the goalkeeper. Once he nearly gave Barking a goal. The first exciting period followed a free-kick for Hampstead, the ball crossing the goalmouth two or three times. Bramley experienced disappointment in not putting through.

With the game only eight minutes old, Buchanan enabled Butland to score, and with this encouragement Hampstead took up the running strongly, the Barking goal being stormed. Buchanan shot just over the bar, and a long dropping shot by Graves, something like that which scored a goal last week, was a fine effort. From one of several good centres sent across by Bramley, Evans got Hampstead's second goal. Hunt stopped the ball but could not clear.

This was the end of the scoring, but subsequent play was interesting. Hampstead, until the interval, had a big share of the game, but when the Barking forwards got away they were always dangerous. On one occasion Smith had to judge between running out and staying at home. Had he remained between the posts probably he would have been beaten; by coming out he gave Barking a chance, but it was not used. Just on half-time Hampstead had a free-kick just outside the penalty area, but before it was taken the whistle blew.

In the second half Barking showed up more prominently, and had there been the slightest weakness on the part of the defence they must have scored. Smith and Dean came out of a trying ordeal successfully, but we must not forget the work of the halves, Graves earning much commendation. Lloyd found the net for Hampstead, but he was given offside, as was also a Barking player who thought he had scored. There was an unusual interlude when first-aid men were called to a linesman, who was in the wars, but in a minute or two he was on duty again. Barking never gave up trying, and they would have got no more than they deserved if they had scored once. Their shooting, however, was not quite up to the standard of the midfield play.

It was an interesting game throughout, and once more there was a good attendance, although without much effort a great many more could be accommodated.