But for the fact that both Shorland and Potter were temporarily off the field through injury, Hampstead might have got at least one point in their return Athenian League game with Leyton on Saturday. For an end-of-the-season match there was a good attendance on the Essex club's new and commodious ground, but this was not surprising having regard to the fact that Leyton are having to fight desperately hard to retain the League championship, and that a fortnight earlier they had been extremely fortunate in beating Hampstead at Claremont-road.

Saturday's match ended in a win for Leyton by three goals to one, a score which fairly represents the run of the play, but apart from injuries on the field, Hampstead were handicapped by the absence of Bucci, who had groin trouble. His place was taken by Potter, who may perhaps be more serviceable in the half-back line than as a forward. Leyton had one or two prominent men away, the outside-left position, usually filled by Hawkings, being taken by C. Knight, who has played for Hayes.

Having played both games with Walthamstow Avenue and Leyton, Hampstead are of opinion that the former are the better side and deserving of championship honours. Barnet have a possible chance of getting to the top, but their defeat by 3-0 at the hands of Walthamstow at Barnet last Saturday was a big [blow?] and may prove a fatal set-back.

Hampstead's first promising movement was initiated by Butland, but Moore when accepting the pass was too far forward, and was given offside. Much headwork - and this was a feature with both teams - in front of the Hampstead goal led to a corner for Leyton, and this being nicely placed, G. Collins had little difficulty in heading the ball past Smith. This point came at the end of five minutes, and was a big set-back for the visitors.

Moore was penalised for handling as he was getting away, but a fine piece of combination on the part of all the Hampstead forwards led to Moore getting a corner through faulty kicking by Leyton's rearguard. This was not converted, but Jones was well tested by Moore. Following a free kick against Hampstead through Potter fouling - as mild an offence as could possibly be conceived - Leyton got a corner and then obtained their second goal through the enterprising Keeble. There was a claim for a penalty against Hampstead before the final kick, but the referee probably thought an injustice would be done to Leyton by allowing it.

With two goals against them in twenty minutes Hampstead were up against a big proposition, but though very good work was being done by the halves, for whom Young was outstanding, the forwards were slow in taking up their opportunities, Gardner missing at least two good chances. Moore did a lot of good work, but his shooting lacked judgment. The Hampstead goal had a narrow escape when the ball struck the upright, but relief came through Leyton being penalised for impeding Smith.

At the end of half-an-hour Hampstead got their first and only goal through Butland following up a clever movement by Sherman.

Gardner then sent in a shot - one of his best - but Jones is no novice in goal, and nothing accrued. Leyton again found the net, but fortunately for Hampstead the referee disallowed it on the grounds of offside. He was well placed to judge. The closing stages of the first half were marked by some clever goal-keeping by Smith. One of his clearances just under the bar was up to his highest standard. The resultant corner kick was also ably dealt with. Leyton well deserved their lead of a goal at half-time.

Hampstead started the second half in promising form, the nearest attempt to scoring being from a nicely-placed corner by Sherman, Shearcroft striking the bar with a head shot. But their opportunities were few and but for an exceptionally good show by Smith, Leyton would have put up a big score. Happily for Hampstead, Leyton were not too good in markmanship. Margetts (who had been hurt but did not retire) put an end to a long attack, in which Smith had to deal with shots from all angles, by heading over the bar. Shorland had to leave the field for a time, and returned limping, but he kept up his end manfully, and with Wilton kicking finely the Leyton team did not get their third and last goal until the second half was well advanced. This goal, from a lovely shot, was credited to E. Collins.

Leyton should have scored another when Smith fell after running out to clear, but Knight, who had been responsible for much good work, sent yards wide.

With Potter leaving the field, Hampstead were badly handicapped, and the fact that they prevented further scoring showed the others in a good light. Upon returning Potter played at outside-left, but could do little, and Shorland again had to receive attention from the trainer.

Outstanding among the Hampstead players were Smith and Young, but praise is due to Shorland, Wilton and Johnson, and, being in an unaccustomed position, Potter did fairly well until he was hurt. In many recent matches Butland had not been able to do himself justice, but in this game he did really good work, and we even go so far as to say he was the pick of the line. Shearcroft did nothing exceptional, Gardner was disappointing, and we have seen both Sherman and Moore in much better form.