Despite the difference in their positions in the Athenian League, there should have been no lack of local interest in the game between Finchley and Hampstead, at the Gun Station, North Finchley, on Saturday. The attendance, however, was disappointing, the inclement weather no doubt keeping many people away.

Unfortunately the game was abandoned fifteen minutes from time, as the light had become very bad. A late start was made and a full interval was taken, so it was not surprising that darkness came on before the game could be finished. At the time of abandonment Finchley were leading by 2-0, and not even the most partisan onlooker would deny that the lead was deserved. In all fairness to Hampstead, it must be emphasised that Bucci injured his knee midway through the first half, was carried from the field, and did not take any further part in the game. His injury was so severe that it was deemed advisable to remove him to Manor House Hospital. Up to that point he had proved himself a very clever pivot.

Hampstead were at full strength, the only change in the advertised team being the inclusion of J. Shorland for A. Parsons at left-back. Finchley's side was in the nature of an experiment. M.C. McCreedy played his first game for the club at centre-half, and the forward line included J. Tansley at inside-right and F.T. Ryding, from the reserves, at inside-left.

Hampstead started strongly with several nicely combined movements, but the ground was against football of their type, and Finchley were able to make a show. The home team adopted tactics that differed considerably from those shown on previous occasions. Although the short-passing game was attempted at times, there was more directness and thrust in their attack than there has been for some weeks. Hampstead played clever football, and in the early stages gave one the impression that they felt they had a fairly easy task on hand, and that they could afford to take time over getting goals. However, the Finchley defence packed well and for some time the Hampstead forwards were unable to get in a direct shot. Butland fired a great shot over the bar, and Moore missed a chance, both openings coming from centres by Sherman.

Although Hampstead were having the greater portion of the game, Finchley were by no means over-run, and on two occasions Shorland, by clever clearances, prevented Bowyer and Howell from becoming too dangerous. In fact, Shorland was a very conspicuous figure at full-back, and his daring and well-timed clearances frequently relieved the Hampstead goal. From a corner Bowyer's shot hit Webb, and then Moore made an electrical run on the left and finished with a shot which went just over the bar. The players could not retain a firm foothold, and no doubt that to some extent accounted for the erratic shooting. Butland shot over following a pretty movement between Young and Potter, and then Bowyer set Howell going with a lovely pass, but the winger finished badly.

A fine pass by Daniel to Bowyer was the start of Finchley's first goal. The latter ran on, steadied himself, and beat Smith with a rising cross-shot. After that the struggle became more intense and Cutbush saved from Butland and Moore. It seemed as though Hampstead would equalise, and two centres from Moore were misjudged by Cutbush. There was more danger in their attacks, but the Finchley defence was strong, and Butland was not always quick to shoot. Bucci was taken off, and with only ten men Hampstead were handicapped, and Finchley made good use of their advantage by pressing hard, but the interval arrived with the score unaltered.

Finchley started the second half in a happy mood. They held the lead, Hampstead were a man short, and one of the Finchley ghosts was laid. Their inferiority complex had been conquered, and they gradually assumed the ascendancy. The attack was well sustained, although Smith was not unduly troubled. He made one clever save from Tansley at close range, and as the ball rebounded from his hands Bowyer headed over. Both Howell and Gordon missed chances of scoring, and Moore also wasted a good opportunity by sending the ball behind when well placed.

Finchley's second goal started on the right wing, and Bowyer, receiving a pass from Gordon, hit the cross-bar. Howell, running in, caught the ball on the rebound and scored easily. The light began to fail, and it was difficult at times to follow the flight of the ball. It was, therefore, not very surprising when the referee stopped the game with a quarter-of-an-hour still to run.

Considering the local nature of the game, it was singularly free from fouls, and although the ground was against clever football, the game never lacked interest. The first half points undoubtedly went to Hampstead, who, during that period, showed themselves to be a clever team. The honours of the second half, however, belonged to Finchley, whose new team played exceedingly well. Robinson was the outstanding member of the defence, and invariably had the best of matters with Sherman. McCreedy showed a nice style of play and on a drier ground should be a source of strength. He was faster than he looked, and he gave out some nice passes to his forwards. Daniel gave another magnificent display. In the forward line F.T. Ryding showed cleverness and speed, Howell was not as sure as usual, and Gordon was rather overshadowed by Shorland.

The outstanding player in the Hampstead team was Shorland. He played a rousing game, and but for him Finchley might easily have had more goals. The half-backs were good, but they were inclined to press too far forward, and they left the Finchley men time to manoeuvre. Both wing men played well, but the forwards as a whole would have done much better if they had shot more frequently instead of indulging in fancy work, which was out of place under conditions as those which prevailed.