By effecting a goalless draw, Hampstead improved on their last performance at Southall, when they were beaten by four goals to one, but supporters of the visiting side were disappointed that full points were not obtained, seeing that their hopes of heading the League are jeopardised.

In the ordinary course of things it is not a bad performance at any time to draw away from home, but Southall, on their showing against Hampstead this season in League games, are not a great side. On Saturday they were compelled to make one or two changes in the team, Slade taking the place of Lewis in goal. Hampstead had their usual eleven; not that the selectors felt there was no room for improvement, but because no better men were available.

The same faults that were apparent in Hampstead's play the previous week were again noticeable, the outside wing men once more failing to rise to the occasion. Indeed, the only forward to play constructive football was Minter, than whom there was no cleverer man on the field. He must have felt disheartened when so many of his well-timed passes were not utilised, and it became evident long before the end that if Hampstead was to score it would be through the old St. Albans player.

Evans, upon whom Hampstead depend so much for goals, was not conspicuous, except when he missed a penalty kick. There seemed some hesitation as to who should take the kick, and we thought when Dean walked up the field that he would do so, as he has been more successful than others. However, to Evans fell the job, and he made one of the weakest attempts it is possible to conceive. His kick was so feeble that the ball hardly reached the upright, and then it was cleared. Evans has scored some topping goals when awkwardly placed but his luck was out on Saturday.

The fact that no goals were scored during the ninety minutes shows that defence triumphed over attack. Both sides were well served in the rear divisions. On the Hampstead side Smith had far more work to do than Slade, particularly in the first half, when Southall played with the wind. He had good fortune on his side once or twice, but on his form in this match he is still one of the best goalkeepers in the county. At right-back Dean was magnificent: we have never seen him play better. Richardson gave him good support. Of the half-backs, Rees, in the centre, was the most consistent. He did well throughout. Bucci played 50 per cent. better in the second half than in the first, and as captain made desperate efforts to pull off the match. Bloxham seemed to be upset by a decision of the referee early in the game, and was hardly up to his usual standard. It might have been more advantageous if the half-backs had concentrated more on attack than on defence when playing with the wind. There was often too big a gap between the forwards and the halves.

Having kept Southall at bay during the first half when conditions were against them, there seemed every hope that, on changing ends, Hampstead would take the lead. They were soon attacking, but for the most part shots were tame, the best coming from Minter and Rees. Southall, despite the wind, made several attacks, and one admired the judgment of Smith in running out when the odds were in favour of the home side getting a goal.

The penalty kick incident occurred after 20 minutes' play in the second half. A Southall player handled the ball quite unnecessarily, as it would have gone out of play, and therefore perhaps justice was done when Evans failed.

Hampstead continued to have slightly the better of matters, one of their finest efforts being made by Butland, whose header was well saved by Slade. The only time the ball entered the net was three minutes from the end, but the whistle had gone for a minor offence by Hampstead.

Neither side seemed satisfield with the result. Southall were bent on reversing the previous week's decision, and Hampstead wanted two points badly. Unexpected lapses on the part of others will now be necessary to give them the League championship.