Although Barnet had most of the game with Hampstead on the former's ground on Saturday, it is doubtful if they were worth their victory by 4-2, for the two goals that gave them the lead had an element of luck about them. Against that, of course, must be counted the number of fine scoring shots which Smith saved.

It was not a day for good football. The ground was in a pretty bad condition before the game commenced, and a succession of heavy showers of rain and hail did not improve matters. Because of the ground the game was often fought at a slow pace, but for all that it was full of interest. Of the two teams Hampstead played the prettier football, the right wing in particular being delightful, but the close game did not pay, and on a day when the ball played tricks and miskicks were not infrequent, it might have been better policy to have swung the ball about.

It was not a centre-forward's day either, and neither Morris, of Barnet, or Shearcroft were seen to much advantage. Sherman and Gardner combined beautifully, and many of their moves were skilfully executed. Butland worked tremendously hard, first at half-back and then in his accustomed position.

The half-backs were a fairly sound line, of which Young was the outstanding player. Bucci did not turn out, and for the first ten minutes of the game Hampstead played a man short until the arrival of Corsby. During that period Butland played at half, and the forward line operated with four men.

Wilton was quite steady at full-back, and Shorland made his usual daring clearances. He was temporarily stunned on one occasion when attempting to head away a low ball. For all his dashing he was not able to get the ball away properly many times, and he tired towards the end. Smith made some wonderful saves, the first of the match being a very fine effort. His tendency to kick away shots which he could easily have got down to was dangerous.

On the Barnet side the outstanding player was Snaith. The weather suited him, and he was able to utilise the sliding tackle effectively. At one period it seemed it was a contest between Snaith and Shorland as to who could pick up the most mud. Snaith won. Bloyce, in the Barnet goal, was not at all safe, and a bad error of judgment on his part cost his side a goal.

Hampstead won the toss and in the second minute of the game Ives put in a great cross shot, but Smith made an equally fine save. Gardner and Sherman took play to the other end, but Shearcroft fell into the offside trap which Barnet set continually. Barnet kept the play in Hampstead's quarters for long periods, and Smith saved at the foot of the post from Richardson. From a corner Willmott received the ball but Smith saved his shot in fine style, and then Richardson was left with an open goal, but he shot over the bar. Barnet got three successive corners, from the third of which the ball was swung across the goal to Richardson, who scored.

When Hampstead attacked Garrett gave away a corner to prevent Shearcroft from getting through, and from the kick Butland equalised. Immediately Barnet went away and Morris regained the lead with a fine shot.

The referee stopped the game for half-time only to find that he was five minutes too soon, and the players were recalled, and during the last few minutes Smith saved well from Morris. Half-time: Barnet 2, Hampstead 1.

Early in the second hald there was another thrill round the Hampstead goal, for Smith lost the ball and was knocked over by Morris. Richardson, with the goal at his mercy, could do nothing better than shoot over the bar.

Hampstead had more of the game in the second half, and Bloyce was nearly beaten by a slow shot from Young. The ball slipped through his hands, and very nearly between his knees. Gardner and Sherman, with some clever work, opened up the attack once more, and Shearcroft, who had to shoot as he turned, put the ball wide. Another fine centre from Gardner brought no result, as Shearcroft missed the ball completely as it came across. From a centre by Moore, Sherman made a good first-time shot, but Bloyce brought off a fine save.

Butland equalised for Hampstead, Bloyce being very much at fault. Corsby, with a strong kick, put the ball down the middle, where Shearcroft worked a useful pass to Butland. Bloyce, possibly thinking that Shearcroft was going to shoot, left his goal, and Butland cleverly put the ball over his head into the net.

As in the first half, Barnet went away immediately, and Ives scored, both Shorland and Smith completely missing the ball in their attempt to kick away. Butland worked his way through the Barnet defence, but his shot was deflected and Bloyce punched away. The ball went to Shearcroft, and again Bloyce unwisely left his goal, but fortunately for Barnet Shearcroft's shot passed over the bar.

Smith, in making a clever save from Finch, conceded a corner, and the ball was not properly cleared, and Richardson tested Smith again only to find him on the alert. From another corner on the opposite wing MacDonald shot. Smith seemed to have the flight of the ball covered, but it hit Shorland and was deflected well wide of the goal-keeper.

Another error of judgment by Bloyce at the other end when he failed to intercept a centre from Moore brought danger to the Barnet goal, but Martin relieved by giving a corner. Result: Barnet 4, Hampstead 2.