Following the criticism it was necessary to offer after the inglorious display at Maidenhead, it is pleasing to be in a position to sound a congratulatory note concerning the Hampstead club. By three goals to none they beat Southall, at Claremont-road, on Saturday, in the Athenian League, and the score in no sense exaggerates their superiority. Southall have fallen upon lean times, but for over an hour their defence held out. From the outset Hampstead looked like getting goals, but the forwards made the mistake of sending in high shots, and there are few amateur goal-keepers better capable of dealing with these than Holding. Later they discovered that he was not so well able to deal with ground shots.

Hampstead made several changes to their team, Shorland, Wilton, Seddon and Shearcroft standing down. Shearcroft had been chosen, but though on the ground, he did not feel well enough to play. The centre-forward position was therefore given to Gardner, who, despite the fact that he has an unsound leg, did much good work, although he was inclined to get out of position. He has been accustomed to work at inside-right. It was good to see in the field once more Wardlaw and Parsons, even though it meant the displacement, perhaps only temporarily, of Seddon and Shorland. Many thought the committee were not justified in dropping these two men, but the fact that the Southall players were unable to score bears testimony to the value of the defence as a whole. Bucci dropped back to centre-half vice Wilton, and this change was undoubtedly a wise move, as Bucci is good both in attack and defence.

A new player to the side was Butland, whose work with the Reserves justified his promotion. Apart from scoring a good goal, he showed distinct promise, and Moore has not had a better partner this season. Many of his passes, both with foot and head, were very deft. Energetic, a good shot, he has certainly earned a further trial. In the Maidenhead match the forwards never looked like scoring: in the present case their form was good from the start, and though it has to be admitted that the second half was well advanced before Holding was beaten, yet the result never seemed to be in doubt. There was an instinctive feeling that the goals were bound to come.

Hampstead started promisingly, a feature of their work being the keenness of Potter, who made many serviceable passes not only to his partner but to the left wing. Sherman got across some good centres from almost impossible positions, although he seemed inclined to indulge in too much fancy work. His opponents had to play second fiddle time after time. Supported by the half-backs better than they have been in some previous games, the forwards kept Holding continually on the move, and in several hot attacks the halves did their share. While working well in the field, Moore seemed to be unable to control the height of the ball in shooting, but Holding has had few more difficult shots than some sent in by Sherman. What appeared to be a bad foul on Butland brought Hampstead a penalty kick. Bucci shot wide - a decidedly weak effort from one who is looked on as a deadly shot.

Southall, fortunate in other respects than this, made occasional raids, but like Hampstead, they failed to utilise chances. On one occasion they had an opportunity equal in value to a penalty kick, but did not utilise it. Their forward line was nothing like so impressive as it has been in past years, and, generally speaking, Smith had a quiet time. A number of corners for Hampstead were nicely placed by Sherman and Moore, and Butland was unfortunate in being declared offside when he attempted to put the finishing touch to brilliant work by Gardner and Sherman. Gardner, who appeared to have a very good idea of the duties of a centre-forward, also had hard luck in finding himself sandwiched when forcing his way through. Just on half-time Moore, having made one of his characteristic runs, sent the ball across the mouth of goal, but found no one to give it another touch.

A blank sheet at half-time was most unsatisfactory from the Hampstead standpoint, and a Rugger enthusiast calculated by how many points the home side would have been leading had the game been under the code in which tries are of account.

Upon resuming Southall played with a good deal more dash, and one began to think that Hampstead would be deprived of any reward for their work. Nash made a good effort with a header, but gradually Hampstead again assumed the upper hand. Moore was in sparkling form, and in trying to circumvent him some of the Southall men were not too gentle. From a free kick for a foul on himself, Moore almost scored. Holding, at this time, was conspicuous with some clever punches. Following a corner kick taken by Moore, the ball was handled in the penalty area by a Southall man. After Bucci's sorry attempt there was not desire to give him a further chance, and the responsibility fell upon Moore, who made no mistake, and gave Hampstead the lead which had so long been merited.

After this Hampstead were in no fear of defeat. The manner in which they attacked was not pleasing to their opponents, and there were signs of a storm. Tempers were certainly ruffled, but fortunately the necessity for the referee to take extreme measures did not arise. Holding well maintained his reputation for good goal-keeping, some of his saves bordering on the miraculous, but ten minutes or so from the close he was beaten by Butland from a pass by Gardner, the success of the young player being well received. Another incident which gave pleasure was the scoring of a goal by the erstwhile captain, Wardlaw, after one or two others had unsuccessfully fired shots at Holding. Shortly before the close Moore was compelled to leave the field as the result of a collision.

While it was disappointing that Hampstead allowed over an hour to pass before finding the net, the work of the forwards compelled admiration, while the introduction of Bucci and Wardlaw stiffened the half-back line. It is a matter of opinion whether Shorland or Parsons is the better back. Shorland is more impetuous, and those who prefer "Safety first" would prefer Parsons, but both are capable of much good work. Smith must have enjoyed his comparatively easy afternoon after his heavy task at Maidenhead.