No more interesting game than that between Hampstead and Hayes on Saturday has been played at Claremont Road this season. Hampstead won by three goals to two, but we are not prepared to say they were the better side. Both League games last season finished on level terms, and a draw would have been a fitting result to Saturday's game. Hampstead led by two goals at the interval, up to which time they had been playing against the wind and with the sun in their eyes, but not long after change of ends they lost that advantage, and Hayes promised to take the points until Evans got through to score what proved to be the winning goal. This goal was disputed on the ground of offside, but after consulting a linesman the referee ruled in Hampstead's favour. With only four minutes to go Hayes then had little hope, but during the short time that remained there were thrills. Hayes forced a corner, and from some parts of the field it was thought they had equalised, but such was not the case.

There have been occasions when Hampstead, after playing well, have dropped points. In this case Hayes may feel that the score did not do justice to them. There has been no better side than Hayes at Claremont Road this season. Though Holding, their veteran goalkeeper, did not seem happy early in the game, and was at fault in allowing Hampstead's second goal to be scored, the visitors were well served by their defence, while in their forward line Knight and Rowe worked cleverly together on the right wing. Though his shooting was sometimes at fault, Knight played splendidly; in fact, he was the finest forward on the field.

There was a distinct improvement in Hampstead's display on that in previous games: had there not been Hayes would have romped home and Hampstead's chances of winning the League would have vanished. But three changes in the team - one an eleventh hour change - made all the difference. The new men were J.W. Richardson, late of Uxbridge Town, at left-back; A. Cole, the old Summerstown player, who has been playing for Columbia, at outside-left; and W. Minter at inside-right. It is many years since Minter began his football career. It was largely due to him that St. Albans, for whom he did yeoman service, became prominent in Isthmian League football. He has not yet lost his cunning, and though some may not agree with the policy of getting men who are reaching the veteran stage, on Saturday's form Minter satisfactorily filled a weak spot. The introduction of Cole was also a success. He manipulated the ball cleverly, and did not hesitate to shoot when occasion offered. Constituted as it was in this game, Hampstead's attack was immeasurably srengthened. Richardson, at back, kicked strongly, but he had some difficulty in dealing with Hayes's clever right wing pair. With an improvement in his tackling, he should be very helpful.

Richardson was soon brought into action in dealing with Hayes's right wing, and it was from this side that Hayes got their first corner. Cole had bad luck in falling when he received his first pass, but it was not long before he showed effectiveness, Maskell finding him difficult to hold.

The manner in which Hampstead's forwards went down the field was encouraging. Bramley found he had a good partner in Minter, and there was also co-operation between Cole and Butland. From Bramley, Holding punched out well, but there seemed hesitancy on his part in dealing with some shots. Afrer 15 minutes' fairly even play Evans scored from a pass by Bramley. It was a fine shot which gave Holding no chance.

A minute or two later Hampstead were two up, Cole, after cleverly outwitting an opponent, being the successful marksman. It was by no means a sharp shot, and Holding cannot be exonerated from blame.

With two goals in hand at this stage Hampstead were naturally elated, but they soon found that Hayes were capable of playing an uphill game. From a nice touch by Minter, Evans just failed to beat Holding, and there were cries of "Play the game!" when this enterprising centre-forward was fouled when there was a prospect of his adding to the score. Happily, though stoutly contested, no spirit of bitterness entered into the match.

Evans has been forced to do so much on his own in recent games that he may be pardoned in robbing Cole of a chance to shoot when he was well positioned, but after that he did not neglect his wings. Minter did not put in many shots - one of his best hit the side of the net - but he passed with exactness and showed he has lost little of his skill in beating an opponent.

On the run of the play Hampstead deserved to lead at the interval.

A change came over the scene in the second half. For fifteen minutes Hayes monopolised the play. Rowe scored with a shot which left Smith hopelessly beaten. So insistently did Hayes attack that it would not have been surprising if he had been beaten two or three times. Happily he was in tip-top form, and dealt successfully with shots from all angles. He kept a cool head just when it was most needed, and though he had to run out with the ball several times, he took no unnecessary risks. Several times he tippped the ball over the crossbar, and his methods suggested those of a juggler.

After this hectic time, during which Hampstead were fortunate not to lose their lead, the home attack got going, but it was not easy to pass Maskell and Gower, and Holding had much less to do than in the first half. From a corner kick there was a desperate struggle in the Hampstead goalmouth, but though Smith emerged victorious, he was subsequently beaten for the second time by Rowe, the scores thus being equalised.

The remaining ten minutes' football was most exciting. It was chiefly marked by the efforts of Evans. Holding was fortunate in taking the ball off his foot almost on the goalline, but his attentions were persistent, and four minutes from the end he burst through to give Hampstead their third goal, which meant two points. As we have said, there was some doubt about the validity of the goal, and a cheer went up when the referee, after consulting a linesman, pointed to the centre.

It was a game played under ideal conditions, and one which could be thoroughly enjoyed. Hampstead needed a victory after two cup-tie defeats, and their position in the League should result in big attendances at the remaining home matches.

Though Dean was not too well, he played a good game. Once again we have to commend the work of the half-backs, a trio of which the club can be proud.