Hampstead have repeated their performance of last season by taking three Athenian League points from Barking. It will be recalled that in October Barking sustained their first League defeat of the season at Claremont Road; and it was an equally good performance on the part of Hampstead to draw, as they did last year, on Barking's ground. The one point was invaluable to Hampstead, as it keeps them well in the running for the Athenian League championship.

Incidentally it may be mentioned that they have now scored 50 goals this season, the half-century being reached when Bramley scored Hampstead's third and equalising goal at Barking.

Hampstead, fortunate in being able to play their usual team, had hard work in holding their own in the closing stages, but a draw was a fitting result, and both teams deserve credit for playing so well under bad conditions.

As one travelled to Barking there was dense fog in places, and upon reaching the ground it was difficult to see from one end to the other. The teams, however, were anxious to play, and the referee decided that the time should be limited to 40 minutes each way. By dispensing with the interval for refreshments it was possible to finish the match, but we doubt if play could have proceeded for another ten minutes.

It is difficult to give an extended report of the match, because from the stand it was impossible at times to distinguish the players. Owing to similarity of colours Hampstead played in white shirts, and this alteration led one supporter of the visiting side to cheer when, as he thought, Hampstead had scored the first goal. The goal was Barking's! It came at the end of five minutes through Carter, Barking's clever outside-left, who was continually troubling Hampstead's defence. Before long, however, a nice movement by Lloyd, Butland and Evans resulted in the last-named equalising the score. Barking were unfortunate in being a man short for some time owing to an injury, but Hampstead well deserved their second goal which was obtained by Buchanan shortly before the cross-over.

Many good movements by Hampstead were upset by Barking withdrawing Sheppard from left-back to assist in the attack until the injured man returned.

The second half proved particularly exciting, both sides putting forth every ounce of effort to secure a win. There were several free kicks for infringements, but it would be a stretch of the imagination to call it a rough game.

Ten minutes after changing ends Carter scored a second goal for Barking, and then once again the home side took the lead, Mackay finding the net.

If, however, they tought Hampstead would be easy victims they were mistaken. Barking conceded a penalty kick for hands, but Dean, who naturally was entrusted with the kick after getting four goals in succession in this way, failed to beat Hunt. This was a great disappointment to the visiting players and to their few brave followers but in the gloaming Bramley equalised with what appeared to be a thoroughly good shot.

This ended the scoring. The fog may have been a handicap to the forwards, but infinitely greater must have been the drawback to the goalkeepers, and both Hunt and Smith must be congratulated on making some remarkably good saves.

Outstanding among the Hampstead players were the half-backs. While it may have been difficult to fill certain places in the team, Hampstead have invariably had sound halves, but we think it would be difficult to name a more dependable three than the present players, Bucci, Rees and Graves.