Under conditions disagreeable in the extreme both to players and spectators, Hampstead beat Cheshunt by five goals to one, at Claremont-road, on Saturday, in the Athenian League.

Last season Cheshunt sprang a surprise by drawing 1-1 at Cricklewood after losing 6-0 at home; but Hampstead took great care that no such disaster should occur again. They scored within two minutes from the start, through Bucci, and never looked like dropping a point.

The game was limited to forty minutes each way, and there was no interval. This was a wise step. Everyone was glad when the fight came to an end. Some time before the close there were signs that the shivering players would welcome a hot bath. It was a bitterly cold rain, and the Hampstead men had this full in their faces in the second half. There were one or two brave people who watched play in the open, but even those in the stand found conditions extremely uncomfortable. Such a day meant a big financial loss to the club.

A kick sustained by Moore against Southall prevented his appearance at outside-left, and from the stand he had the satisfaction of seeing a very good understudy in F.A. Cooper. The place had been offered to W. Morton, late of Hendon Town, but he preferred to represent Standard Telephones in a London League match. With this exception the Hampstead team was unchanged, as was expected would be the case after the three-goals victory over Southall.

Hampstead had the benefit of the conditions in the first half, although the wind was not altogether an advantage. Bucci was prominent in the early stages, and the forwards must have appreciated his nice touches. From one of these a corner was forced by Gardner, who, taking the place kick with judgment, enabled Bucci to drive the ball past Chilton. A goal within a couple of minutes spurred Hampstead immensely, and for a long time Cheshunt were mainly on the defensive. Sherman put in some brilliant shots, taking occasion to do so without running quite so forward as is his custom, and in view of the state of the ground there was beautiful footwork on his part as well as several others. Bucci once brought Chilton to his knees, and there was sympathy for a man who found shots rained in upon him when it was not easy to keep one's feet. Cheshunt's attacks were infrequent and then by no means deadly. A miskick by Parsons (who for the most part played with his old-time skill) gave an opportunity to Marchant, who shot wide. Marchant, as a fact, did not live up to his reputation, and as a right winger could not be compared with Sherman.

Although Hampstead did much pressing, thirty minutes went by before the second goal came. This, again, was from Bucci, who quite deceived Chilton with a shot from a point near the centre-line.

Gardner engaged in dribbling to a greater extent than most centre-forwards, but was not particularly successful. Once he looked to have a clear opening, but at the critical moment the ball was kicked a fraction too hard. Butland, however, got a beautiful goal with his head from Cooper's centre, and Moore's deputy crowned much good work with a fourth goal. In our opinion, this was the best goal of the match. Cheshunt played determinedly, much of Lutterlock's work calling for praise, but at half-time they were four goals down.

In the second half conditions got worse, and it seemed to be doubtful whether it would be possible to finish the game. Cooper was very prominent with his centres, and even battling against a strong wind and icy cold wind Hampstead maintained their superiority. However one was not sorry to see Cheshunt score a goal, through Groves, because it was well worked for. Smith, however, was equal to all further demands made upon him. Butland scored again from a corner kick, which gave them victory by 5-1, but the margin should have been greater. While Gardner never spared himself, he missed some golden opportunities. It may be charitable to say that his mistakes were due to over-zealousness and a soddened pitch.

Butland again created a good impression, and his two goals, following one against Southall, indicates that he is not slow in snapping up opportunities. We should also like to give a word of praise to Cooper and Potter. The latter serves Sherman well, but with advantage could be a little more forceful near goal. Bucci did yeoman work at centre-half, and again justified his inclusion. On the Cheshunt side, Lutterlock and Alsford were prominent.