Beating Hampstead by four goals to none on Saturday, Leyton took full revenge for a defeat at Claremont Road a few weeks ago. Hampstead on Saturday were soundly beaten by a side superior in almost every department and they could not put forward the plea that they were not fully represented. Their team was identical with that which had gained several League successes, and strong hopes were entertained that, as was the case last season, they would pick up points on the Leyton ground. Had they done so, there would have been a chance of heading the table.

When, after having the benefit of the wind in the first half, Leyton led by only one goal, many fancied Hampstead's chances, but although they kept up their end for a time, there were few occasions when the forwards were dangerous, and long before the finish the result was never in doubt.

The forwards have never been seen to less advantage. A blow on the head with the ball at the start might have affected Butland, but we do not think it was entirely the reason for his failure. He was the weakest link in the line, but we cannot speak highly of the others. There was little or no cohesion. Evans found it very difficult to master Armitage, whose presence in the team greatly strengthened Leyton's half-back line. His generalship had much to do with Leyton's success, while H. Graves, at right-half, was much too good for Hampstead's left wing.

Of the Hampstead players, Bucci, Rees, Dean and Smith did well. Compton was most unlucky. He had the misfortune to handle the ball in the penalty area, which brought about Leyton's first goal. He also conceded their second by turning a shot from Davis into his own net. Such bad luck was enough to break his heart, but in the latter stages he played in quite his best form.

Smith came out of the match with flying colours. We recall the fact that it was against Leyton that he played his first game for Hampstead, and on several occasions he has shown them a taste of his ability. By discarding much of his fancy work he is more effective.

For some reason best known to himself Bucci, though winning the toss, gave Leyton the benefit of the wind in the first half. With this advantage they kept the ball almost entirely in the Hampstead half, and it was rather fortunate for the visitors that Leyton's shooting was rather wild, Sparrow sending the ball sky-high two or three times. Once Evans got into a shooting position, but was rightly given offside.

Compton was a long time in settling down, and twice the ball went between his legs. At the end of fifteen minutes he handled the ball in the penalty area, thus enabling [H.] Graves to open Leyton's account. Smith made a brave but unsuccessful attempt to save.

The run of the play may be judged from the fact that half-an-hour elapsed before Hampstead got their first corner. Their chances to score were few, but Lloyd, who had the best openings, was disappointing. Just on half-time Hampstead's goal had a narrow escape. Smith missed his punch, and one of the other players (we believe it to be Rees) headed out under the bar.

The score of 1-0 against them at the interval undoubtedly flattered Hampstead. It was felt that Leyton should have been at least three goals up, and there was considerable confidence in Hampstead's ranks that the tables would be turned. At the beginning they certainly had more of the play, Bramley being called upon to take two or three corners, from one of which Buchanan, who had been inconspicuous, made a good effort.

Then came the second reverse for Hampstead, Compton putting the ball through his own goal, and as may be imagined this had a dispiriting effect upon the visiting side. Their only salvation lay in the fact that bad light would prevent the match being played to a finish, but no true sportsman likes to see a game abandoned, and though it was very difficult for those in the stand to follow the ball, the conditions did not warrant the cessation of play.

Bucci, following a corner kick, put in one of the best shots of the match, but Henderson made a brilliant save. It was a pity he was not troubled by a few more of the same calibre. Sparrow, the old Barnet centre-forward, scored Leyton's third goal, the ball striking both uprights before entering the net, and Radford then netted from a partial clearance.

Leyton played a much better game than they did at Claremont Road. Like many other clubs, they have had to make many changes in their team, but the present eleven should, on Saturday's form, put the club among the top sawyers in the League.