Hampstead's failure to score more than one point in their last two games have spoiled their chances of winning the Athenian League championship. Indeed, on recent displays, they will be fortunate in securing a place in the first four.

Inability to score against Southall and Hayes shows where the team is weak. At Hayes, on Saturday, the score of four goals to none in favour of the home team did not give a fair representation of the nature of the game. If Hayes were worth four goals, then Hampstead gave full value for two, but there was a pronounced weakness by the Hampstead forwards in close quarters, and against the Hayes defence this was fatal. We all know the value of Holding in goal and Gower at right-back. Since Hayes came to Claremont Road, where they were beaten 3-2, Harrison has been introduced at left-back. He gave a brilliant exposition. Another player on the Hayes' side who did not play in the first game was Parker, who at outside-left justified his selection.

Except for the introduction of Sear at outside-right, Hampstead fielded their usual team. Sear put a good deal of vim into his work, and was unselfish. It was good to see him swing the ball about, and he was by no means the weakest of the line. Bramley, at outside-left, was slightly better than he has been in the last few games, but his falling-off in form is most marked.

Honours in Hampstead's front line went to Butland, who had rather hard luck. Had one of his shots early in the game taken effect the game might have run a different course. Butland never spared himself, and unlike some of the players lasted the full ninety minutes.

Minter was responsible for many good movements, and some of his touches promised to be productive, but Evans spoilt many good chances by failing to realise that he was not the only forward. Frequently he hugged the ball instead of passing, and time thus wasted allowed the Hayes' defenders to get into the goalmouth. The halves played well, particularly Rees, but towards the end Bloxham showed signs of distress. A player needed to be in the pink of condition to stay the pace on such a heavy ground.

Frank Dean gave a good performance at right-back. His partner, Richardson, kicked well, but he has something to learn in tackling an opponent. It must be said that he was up against Cecil Knight, than whom there is no finer outside-right in Middlesex. With such a winger to partner Minter, Hampstead would have had the championship in sight.

Smith kept out many good shots, but he was not without fault when Hayes scored their first two goals. Had he gathered the ball instead of punching it, the situation might have been saved.

Hampstead lost the toss, but the opening movements were in their favour. There was a good effort by Butland, but Bramley, with plenty of time to shoot, sent wide. At the end of ten minutes Hayes got three corners in succession, all well placed. From the third Smith could not get rid of the ball, and following a mix-up in the goalmouth Richardson had the unfortunate experience of scoring against his own side.

After this Hampstead held their own for quite a long time. The most troublesome forward on the home side was Knight, upon whom Hayes showed much reliance. He beat Richardson frequently, but there was one occasion when Hampstead's left-back saved a certain goal.

Hampstead looked like scoring when Minter put Evans in possession, but after making ground he shot by. Some good attempts were made by Bucci, one of whose shots skimmed the bar; but generally speaking Hayes could give points to Hampstead both in shooting and combination. Just before half-time Hayes scored their second goal, through R. Brown, while from a free kick taken by Caesar they almost got a third.

Hayes started the second half in strong style, three corners falling to them in succession. Then Hampstead came into prominence, Gower making a fine clearance at the expense of a corner. From a pass by Evans, Butland missed a good opening, and though two goals down, there was for just a short time a possibility that Hampstead would not go home unrewarded.

A good goal by Hamrsworth, however, put paid to these hopes, though Hampstead never gave up trying. A fine shot by Butland - one of his best - was well saved by Holding, who put in a useful afternoon's work, and from the subsequent corner the visitors were decidedly unlucky. The persistance of Butland in trying to redeem the situation was commendable.

Brown scored their fourth goal from a well-judged pass from Knight, who a little later had to leave the field to recover from a blow with the ball. The cheering on his return testified to his popularity. He soon showed that there was not much amiss with him, and from one of his attacks Smith made a fine save.

Hampstead found the net twice through Minter, but though he was unquestionably offside in the first case, the decision of the referee in ruling Sear offside was subject to doubt.