Hampstead beat Southall by three goals to one in the Athenian League match at Claremont Road on Saturday. On the day's play their win was merited, but it was due not so much to brilliance on their part as the weakness of Southall, who were nothing like so powerful a side as when they won at Claremont Road in the F.A. Cup-tie by 3-0.

As a matter of fact, the display of the Hampstead men was distinctly disappointing, particularly in the first half, when Minter, the veteran, put to shame the other forwards, who were palpably weak, none more than Bramley. In no match have we seen him better plied with passes, but he wasted his opportunities time after time. He redeemed his reputation in the second half, when he scored once and materially assisted in getting another, but on Saturday's form it is difficult to see how Hampstead can win the championship. On paper they have an outside chance, as this win puts them in third place, but, frankly speaking, their victory did not show Athenian League football to be of a high standard.

Both teams differed materially from those which played in the cup-tie, Southall making seven changes and Hampstead four.

There was no scoring in the first half, and play was for the most part uninteresting. So far as chances were concerned, Hampstead had by far the greater, but Lewis did not find it difficult to ward off the attacks. Those shots which did reach him did not possess much sting; and far too many went wide or sky high. Collett was the main attacker for Southall.
Richardson, who on the whole played a fine game for Hampstead, was occasionally beaten and once Collett hit the crossbar with a magnificent shot.

For some cause or other there was not that liveliness on the Hampstead side that one ought to expect, and time after time the forwards were robbed of the ball through hesitancy in shooting. One of the best chances came when Rees, taking a free kick, sent the ball goal-wards at a tremendous pace, but Evans unfortunately diverted it outside. Smith did well to tip the ball over the bar when a shot by Collett promised to give Southall the lead; and then some neat work by Bramley and Evans led to hopes that Hampstead would get the anxiously-awaited goal. Evans, however, headed straight into Lewis's hands.

A very unsatisfactory first half ended with "honours" even, but neither side had reason to flatter themselves upon the fare supplied.

There was considerable improvement in the play in the second half, but chiefly on the home side. The Hampstead forwards up to this time had reason to be blamed rather than pitied; but as soon as the game was recommenced more ginger was put into the attack, and it was real bad luck that thwarted them on several occasions. Evans, who had not been altogether happy, tried his hardest to break through, and at last - fifteen minutes from the restart - he achieved his end by beating three men. There was just the possibility of his losing when he faced Lewis, but, keeping calm, he drove the ball home. It was one of the best individual turns we have seen for a long time.

This success encouraged the others, Lewis being kept busy. Evans was given offside when heading into goal a centre by Cole; but Butland scored from almost the first good centre that Bramley had given. It was a well-placed kick, and the ball hit the underside of the crossbar before going through. A narrow shave!

Southall reduced the lead through Burke, who was taking Dempsey's place at outside-right, but it was one of the softest goals imaginable. We had just been thinking how much more dependable Smith was proving in goal - some of his saves from Collett were fine efforts - when he fumbled Burke's shot, and had the mortification of seeing it trickle over the goal-line.

Had Southall been the team we had been led to expect, this lapse might have cost Hampstead one if not two points, but another goal from Bramley with a really good shot settled the issue. It was pleasing to see Bramley score as he had been subjected to much criticism from the crowd.

Towards the end of the game it was apparent that both sides had had enough football. Butland could hardly raise a gallop, but this was hardly surprising considering the energy he threw into his work during the first half.

Richardson, Bloxham and Minter emerged from the game with credit, but we cannot speak flatteringly of others. Dean, unfortunately, was handicapped by an injury early in the game.