Leyton's chances of winning the Athenian League for the second year in succession were considerably enhanced by the defeats sustained by Hampstead and Barking on Saturday against the two lowest clubs in the table. Cheshunt beat Hampstead by three goals to two, and Barking fell before Uxbridge by two goals to love.

Hampstead seven days earlier, under somewhat similar conditions to those prevailing on Saturday, had beaten Cheshunt by five goals to one, but the two or three changes made in the composition of the Cheshunt side made a tremendous difference. Tong, who came in at inside-right, was one of the best forwards. His two goals before Hampstead could settle down had a material bearing on the result. Another enterprising man in the vanguard was W. Codling, who got Cheshunt's third goal. Considering that Hampstead had been playing uphill and against the wind, the outlook for them at the interval, when the home side was leading 3-1, was not too black, but Cheshunt's defence was very sound, and although Bucci scored one goal, the leeway could not be made up. Chilton, the Cheshunt goal-keeper, made some remarkably fine saves, but had to thank his backs for great assistance. Warren and Black tackled and kicked with much power, and, as a pair, we preferred them to Webb and Parsons, who were often in difficulties, and made more mistakes than are expected from such seasoned players. Bucci did very well at half. It was a good goal that he got, but Young's work was below the usual standard, and it would seem that the playing of matches in midweek is sometimes not conducive to tip-top form on Saturday. A club likes to see its players honoured, but there is another side to the picture. Hampstead's first goal was obtained by Gardner from Sherman's corner kick, and little fault could be found with these two men, while Butland, at inside-left, did nothing to cause the selection committee to regret his inclusion, but Potter and Cooper were not so effective as in the previous match, and it will be well when Moore is once again able to resume at outside-left.

Allowing that Chilton was at his best, the Hampstead forwards should have made the issue safe even when playing with conditions against them. From the stand some of their misses seemed inexcusable, and caused the few stalwarts from the Hampstead connexion who never miss a match, no matter what the weather might be, to virtually squirm. Smith had as much to do as Chilton, but apart from the shots that took effect he was not troubled very severely. The two goals scored early in the game acted as an inspiration to the Cheshunt side, and by taking advantage of their opportunities must be congratulated on getting their first brace of points.

Cheshunt started the scoring within five minutes. From a free kick the ball went off Butland's head across the touch-line, and following the corner kick, nicely placed by Marchant, Tong drove the ball into the net with his head. He was injured in doing so and was off the field for a time. After Hampstead had had chances to equalise, which they were slow to accept, Tong got a second goal from Marchant's centre, this being quickly followed by one from Gardner from a corner taken by Sherman. It was a really good goal, because from Gardner's position it looked difficult for him to beat Chilton. Cooper should have equalised, but he was not the only culprit, Marchant, at the other end, missing an equally good chance. Excellent combination on the part of Hampstead gave Cooper yet another chance, but Chilton seemed to exercise a spell over him. Sherman, Gardner and Young tested Chilton severely, and the first-named was rather badly fouled when he was getting well away. The referee had occasion to talk to a Cheshunt man for his attitude towards Sherman, whose capabilities are recognised at Cheshunt. At the end of thirty minutes Codling, from a pass by Groves, got a third goal for the home side, and despite great efforts by Hampstead, they maintained the lead of two goals until the interval. Play was limited to forty minutes each way.

Renewing, Hampstead opened strongly, and found the net, but Potter, receiving from Butland, was adjudged offside - one of many like decisions given against both sides. Bucci, however, reduced the lead with a shot that first hit the cross-bar, and then it looked long odds that Hampstead would pull the game out of the fire. Cheshunt, however, concentrated on defence, the backs kicking well, notwithstanding a tendency to play for keeps. In a final push Butland made a superhuman effort, but Chilton got the ball away for a corner.