S.R. Smith, the Hampstead goalkeeper, has had some unkind things said about him because of his failings in recent games, but the most severe of his critics had to admit that he was largely responsible for staving off defeat on Saturday.

Romford, new to the Athenian League this season, drew at home in January, and the return game, which closed the home programme this season, again ended with honours easy. Each side scored once, Webb first netting at the end of thirty minutes from a pass by Patterson, and Minter equalising soon afterwards. He headed through from a free kick taken by Bloxham. It was fitting that Minter should score. A few minutes before this goal was obtained he appeared to have been fouled, but the referee did not see fit to penalise Romford.

A draw was a fitting result, as the sides were well matched. The game was somewhat spoilt by the vagaries of the wind. Romford had to face it in the first half, and upon crossing over did not get that benefit from it that might be expected. Some of the players also showed an end-of-the-season feeling. The number of matches during the closing weeks is too many except for those highly trained.

Hampstead were unfortunate in being without Rees (injured in the match with Hendon) at centre-half. Bloxham took that position, and Butland was brought from inside-left to right-half, the vacancy in the front line being filled by McCarthy. Butland did not let his side down - in fact, opinion is divided as to whether his proper position is at half or forward; while as a newcomer McCarthy showed promise. Unfortunately the extreme wingers, Sear and Lloyd, did not improve upon previous performances, and therefore the attack did not compare favourably with Romford, although some of their work was not in any sense brilliant.

Evans was too well watched to be dangerous, but he might have had a better day had the wing men given him proper support. Minter was the best forward, and though he is not so fast as of old, it is seldom that he fails to beat an opponent. Lloyd's only good centre came just before the end, and with a bit of luck Evans would have got the winning goal.

Bucci has seldom done better work than he did in this match and did not compare unfavourably with Anderson, Romford's right-half, who is an amateur international. Dean also did splendidly at right-back. Smith was favoured with a little luck at times, but some of his saves were reminiscent of his best days. He had no chance with the shot that scored.