Barnet won their return Athenian League game with Hampstead at Barnet by two goals to one. The home side fully deserved their victory but the decisive goal was not obtained until a few minutes from the end. Hampstead held the lead at the interval, Evans scoring for them after 25 minutes' play. The equaliser came when play in the second half had proceeded for fifteen minutes, Richardson succeeding with a penalty kick awarded against Young for handing the ball. It did not look as if Young acted deliberately.

This goal had a great bearing upon the result. Hampstead's defence came out of a severe ordeal in brilliant manner, their captain, Smith, playing one of his finest games, and many had come to the conclusion that the result would be a draw when Morris, from a pass by Finch, got a good goal, which gave Barnet full points.

Considering the amount of pressure that was exercised in the second half, Barnet might well have complained of ill luck if they had not won, but as they had previously beaten Hampstead by five goals to one at Claremont Road, it would seem that either they have deteriorated or that Hampstead have distinctly improved. We are inclined to think the latter is the case, although the manner in which Hampstead are prone to fall away during the latter stages of a game is disquieting. This was noticeable particularly in the cases of V. Gardner and H. Mead, who again played instead of F. Sherman and G. Bucci. It was known that the latter was still unfit, but the absence of Sherman was disappointing.

Both substitutes, if we may so call them, although they have played in quite a number of matches this season, did exceptionally well in the first half. Gardner put in quite a large number of centres of which better advantage should have been taken, and Mead surprised many by the skilful manner in which he looked after Morris, Barnet's much-boomed centre-forward. He was not so effective later, and although Morris sustained an injury to his ankle, he was responsible for the winning goal.

Barnet were without R.E. Wright and W. Gatland at centre-half and outside-right respectively, while Hampstead fielded the side that beat Oxford City.

Hampstead lost the toss and were soon in difficulties, weak kicking by the defence causing anxiety. Butland was an exception. Barnet, however, could not press home their advantage, and as time went on Hampstead began to give a most satisfactory exhibition. They forced several corners, and those entrusted to Moore were well placed. Combination was noticeable among the forwards, and the same remark applies to the Barnet front line, but for the most part the shooting gave little anxiety. Mead put in a number of shots, and indeed his work was surprisingly good.

After one of the best bouts of passing in the match, Richardson shot over the bar. Finch, upon whom it is expected honours will be showered, hardly came up to expectations, although Dean had to be very wary lest he should get into a shooting position. Shearcroft, as usual, proved more dangerous with his head than with his feet near goal, and from one of Gardner's corner kicks he almost beat Bloyce. With a shot high up, Evans opened the scoring at the end of twenty-five minutes from a pass by Moore, who had snapped up the ball from Butland. It was work well worthy of reward.

Barnet, surprised at the turn of events, were not content to play second fiddle, and for the remainder of the first half they were, so far as midfield work was concerned, the better side. But they had to reckon with Smith, who was on top form - bearing in mind what had happened against Oxford City, he was not prepared to take risks. One of his best saves came from a free kick. Richardson was a dangerous man, but although Hampstead had to concede several corners, which were invariably well placed, they were able to keep a clean sheet until half-time. But it must not be understood that they were entirely on the defensive. Walsh tried desperately hard to add to Hampstead's score, and although some were inclined to think he would have done better by distributing the ball more, it was recognised that there is no more dangerous shot in the Hampstead team.

Barnet had the better of ground conditions upon changing ends and opened well, Ives being within an ace of getting through. For Hampstead, Evans made a bee-line for goal from almost the centre of the field, but was handicapped in the danger zone.

After a quarter-of-an-hour came the penalty kick to Barnet which brought the equalising goal. It was hard luck for Young, who, though perhaps not quite in his best form, had played a wonderfully good game.

The next point of interest was the claim for a goal from Moore's shot, but the referee would only grant Hampstead a corner kick. From thence Barnet were undoubtedly the stronger side. One marvels how the Hampstead goal escaped downfall. While admiring the sterling qualities of the defence, Smith in particular being in the limelight, disaster could not have been adverted without a modicum of luck.

[From here, much of the left hand side of the copy is difficult, if not impossible to read, and it is felt that it is better to omit passages rather than guess at them, with the likelihood of being wide of the mark and possibly completely altering the tone of the report. Several sentences, however, can be assumed from the context of what can be read.]

In a scrimmage Smith was hurt, but after treatment was able to continue. A nice pass from Walsh gave Moore a chance, but he delayed in getting in his shot, and chances were missed by other forwards. With five minutes to go Finch gave Morris the chance he had long been waiting for, and Smith was in no way to blame for letting the ball pass into the net.