Once again Hampstead have been thrown out of the Middlesex Senior Cup competition by their Barnet neighbours. Last season, after beating Barnet in four other matches, they went under by 4-2, this time the defeat was by 2-1. The result was in accordance with expectations, but Barnet did not show superiority to the extent that the season's work had presaged. Indeed, they were somewhat fortunate in getting the lead. In the first half, playing with the wind, Hampstead had a big share of the play, but after Potter had opened the scoring Barnet equalised with a goal which was in the nature of a gift. Finch sent in a shot which struck the upright, and the ball went wide of Smith into the net. The goal-keeper made no effort to stop it. Evidently he had not scented danger. After that Hampstead seldom looked like winning, and when, fifteen minutes after the change of ends, Morris scored again for Barnet, supporters of the visiting side had reason to be confident.

Hampstead were unfortunate in the matter of injuries. Evans, in a collision with the Barnet goal-keeper, had his shoulder badly injured, but with that pluck characteristic of Hampstead players, turned out again though obviously unfit. He took up a position at outside-left, where he tried to be useful, but it was impossible to get good results from him. Shorland, who often courts danger, also needed attention from the first-aid band. These two unfortunate incidents dissipated whatever hopes Hampstead might have entertained of saving the game.

The official attendance was given as 2,674: one of the best gates of the season. But seeing the rivalry that exists between the sides and the issue at stake, it might reasonably have been larger. Barnet brought a good following, who made themselves heard.

The game was comparatively free from objectionable play, though some think Barnet should have been penalised when Evans was injured. Outstanding incidents were few, and the game will not live long in our memories.

To show how teams vary from year to year, it may be noted that of the 22 players only eight were in the sides that took the field in the Cup-tie twelve months ago. There were Smith, Young, Bucci and Moore on the Hampstead side, and Garrett, Martin, Finch and Morris for Barnet.

Butland was preferred to Limbrey at inside-right, and the change was justified. On heavy grounds following upon an injury, Butland has been unable to do himself justice, but he was by no means the weakest forward. As a matter of fact, he and Gardner constituted a strong wing. Gardner has not the skill of Sherman, but he is making a good substitute for the injured player, and one cannot accuse him of shirking work. He makes full use of his running powers, and can centre. From both Butland and Evans he received good support. The left wing was not so prominent. Moore is getting very erratic. A brilliant spell will be followed by an off day, and he was certainly not at his best in this match. Hughes kept him well in check, and even when he got the better of a duel his shooting was poor. The half-back line was the strongest part of Hampstead's team, Johnson being a fine pivot. With other divisions of the same standard, the result might have been different.

Wilton had no reason to be ashamed of his work at left-back, despite the fact that he is a stop-gap in that position. He feels he is not doing himself justice there, but is content to obey orders. Such players are invaluable to a club. Shorland was inclined to wander, but his speed served him well and he kicked strongly. Smith must have said some unkind words to himself when Barnet got their first goal, but such things have happened to even more experienced men than the Hampstead captain. He kept out many excellent shots, and is not likely to be deposed because of this one incident. But for an injury sustained in midweek when playing for the Arsenal, he would have been approaching his 150th consecutive appearance for Hampstead, and with youth on his side the club hope to have him with them for a long time yet.

While there are veterans on the Barnet side - Fletcher and Hughes have been wearing their colours for years - there is a big sprinkling of young blood, and among them Finch and Rainbow did well in this match.

The early stages of the game were conspicuous for attacks on Hampstead's right wing, Gardner, ably served by Butland, sending over a number of fine centres. Bucci made some good flying shots at goal, and others made good efforts, but Moore missed chances and Potter might well have scored with his head from Gardner's pass. The Barnet forwards were not inactive, and Smith brought off some splendid saves, but it could not be said that they lived up to their reputation. Thirty-five minutes passed before the first goal. This was scored by Potter from one of Gardner's many offers. Potter so seldom finds the net that one was glad to see him break his spell of bad luck in this respect, but it was by no means a hard task. Failure would have been almost inexcusable, so well was he positioned. An almost superhuman effort on the part of Butland to get through was the next incident of note, and this young player - he is young, despite his appearance - had many an encouraging word for his work. Then came the equalising goal from Finch, already referred to, and after Young had taken a free-kick for hands and given Moore a chance, which was wasted - the ball being headed by - the interval arrived with the score one all.

Hampstead had been playing with the wind in their favour, and to be merely on level terms could not be regarded as satisfactory from their point of view.

For a short time after the change of ends Hampstead held their own. Moore improved, and had hard luck in seeing Evans just fail to get his head to a well-judged pass. A little later Evans headed the ball against the post. Then Barnet confined Hampstead to their own half of the field, it being at only rare intervals that they could get beyond the centre line. After fifteen minutes Morris got Barnet's second and winning goal, and with Evans being assisted off the field following a collision with Bloyce, Hampstead's stock sank rapidly. However, as sometimes happen, they put in some of their best work when short-handed. Moore forsook the outside-left position, and the forwards put such vim into their work that the Barnet defence was harder pressed than at any other stage. Simultaneously with the return of Evans, Shorland got hurt, but was soon able to resume. The closing stages were not very thrilling. Evans, much handicapped, earned applause for his plucky efforts, but the forwards were not convincing as a line, and on the whole Hampstead may well bve satisfied that they were not beaten by a heavier margin.