With the team that had beaten Hayes, the League leaders, the previous week, Hampstead went to Bromley on Saturday in high hopes of getting another brace of points, seeing that Bromley had won but four League games this season. At the start anticipations promised to be realised, but it was not long before Bromley demonstrated that their position in the last place but one in the League table did not do them justice. Their win by two goals to one was thoroughly deserved; indeed, Hampstead were fortunate in not getting a much more severe defeat. Had not Smith shown exceptional form they would have lost half-a-dozen goals.

Hampstead are regarded by many of their rivals as a most fortunate team. That may or may not be true, but certainly luck was on their side in Saturday's game. Bromley did not score the winning goal until seven minutes from the end and it was brought about from a free kick just outside the penalty line, George Bucci, the Hampstead captain, who had been playing a splendid game, unfortunately handling the ball.

Had Hampstead got away with a point, Bromley would have had reason to complain of having been scurvily treated.

Bromley's team has undergone several changes since they last met Hampstead, but while some of the old hands have gone, W.T. Baird (at left-back) and W.T. Holbrook (at inside-left), to name only two, are still rendering good service. Bromley seemed stronger in defence than in attack, although their forward line was better than Hampstead's. F. Centa, the Bromley centre-half, at one time on the Hampstead books, was an outstanding player.

While there was no pronounced weakness in the Hampstead team, there was no performance of outstanding merit save Smith's. Their backs suffered slightly in comparison with the Bromley pair, and while Richardson kicks strongly, his weakness in tackling throws extra responsibility on Bucci. While the Bromley men seemed to find one another on almost every occcasion - very few passes went astray - Hampstead's front line lacked cohesion, and when opportunities did come they were wasted, Bramley being often at fault.

Evans had very few chances in the first half and he seemed bothered by the sun more than any other player. One of the best shots came from Bloxham which Irish tipped over the bar; but for every time Irish had to handle, Smith had quite half-a-dozen shots to deal with. Several times Bromley lost chances through being too slow, but no goal was more deserved than that which was scored by Coulson when the interval was approaching.

Cole was given several good passes, but frequently he might have served his side better by returning the ball to the centre instead of showing how cleverly he could beat an opponent. He was, however, much more reliable than Bramley at outside-right. Half-time came with the score 1-0 in favour of Bromley.

As time went on it became evident that unless Evans could forge his way through there was little likelihood of Hampstead getting goals. When Evans got injured hopes fell to zero. With indomitable courage, he refused to leave the field, but the value of his work was reduced by 50 per cent. He was too lame to beat an opponent when it came to chasing the ball.

Wth seventeen minutes to go Cole scored for Hampstead from a centre by Bramley. It was a good goal but all against the run of the play. When Thomsett got injured it looked as though after all Bromley might be deprived of a win, but happily he was not hurt so badly as was at first thought, and was able to play to the end.

Playing better than they had done at any previous stage, Hampstead went all out for the winning goal, Cole sending in a fine shot, while Butland made herculean efforts. However, just on time Bromley got their deserts. Bucci handled the ball, and from the free kick Marshall headed in.

There was another spurt on the part of Hampstead before the whistle blew, Evans, after a great effort, forcing a corner, but this was of no avail.