Hampstead's fine form this season is drawing large crowds to Claremont-road, and upwards of 3,000 people watched the match with Barnet on Saturday. Every seat in the stand (with the exception of two or three reserved for life members and officials) was occupied, and we understand it was the biggest gate of the season. The home fixture with Barnet is always an attractive one; it was doubly so this year by reason of Hampstead's win over their old rivals at Underhill the previous Saturday. If they were somewhat fortunate in winning by 4-3 on that occasion, the luck was not all on their side in the return match, and they deservedly won by the odd goal in three. The standard of football was not particularly good, neither forward line being conspicuous, but the game was not without its exciting moments. It was a fast game. The players did not spare themselves, and some of them must have been glad when the whistle went for the last time.

Barnet made two changes from the previous week, Darvill and Davies replacing Leach and Wilcox, but Hampstead relied on the team that has been doing so well, although Smy and Bucci exchanged positions. We understand that it was at the wish of Smy, who has not been in his best form, that this was done, but it did not work satisfactorily, and in the second half the captain returned to his old position.

When the Barnet captain won the toss a wag in the stand said, "that is about all they will win." He was not wrong, although Hampstead had their anxious moments. The home side took the lead at a very early stage. After Smith had been fouled in the goal-mouth in stopping a fine shot by Sutton, the Barnet goal had a remarkable escape, the incident creating roars of laughter. Moody sent in a simple-looking shot which had no force behind it. The ball hit the post and then trickled along the goal-line, and only a slight touch was required to bring about success. However no Hampstead forward was handy to do the trick. In the next minute, from a beautiful shot by Young, Shearcroft was well on the mark and although Thornett stopped the ball, he could not prevent the centre-forward putting it in the net. The opportunism on the part of Shearcroft was applauded, as it deserved to be.

The next incident of note was a bad miss by Sutton, who ought to have equalised, but the shooting of the Barnet forwards was not creditable. A similar weakness, although not quite so glaring, was apparent among the Hampstead forwards, Moore missing some good opportunities. Smy seemed far from comfortable on the right, and the best work was done on the other wing, some of Bucci's touches to Moore being very deft. Sutton and Garrett had Sherman in check, although he never gave up trying, and was responsible for one or two corners, which he himself placed with accuracy. Snaith, finding his front men impotent, did not hesitate to shoot when the opportunity came, but on one occasion he should have been penalised for handling. The referee, however, was not inclined to stop the game unless he was convinced that handling was intentional, and when at last a player was penalised it did not go unnoticed by the crowd. Smith was not greatly troubled in the Hampstead goal during the first half-hour, but afterwards he had to deal with several awkward situations, and with a less capable custodian against them Barnet must have scored. In some tussles near goal Smith emerged with credit, and evading opponents retained the ball until he could give it one of his hefty kicks, often over the half-way line. Webb and Owens also stood the test well, and at the interval Hampstead held their lead of a goal, a reward which it was generally agreed was merited.

The attack of Hampstead in the second half was improved by the transfer of Smy to inside-left, but even here he did not show that efficiency of which he knows he is capable. Like other players who have earned repute, he was closely watched, but, nevertheless, he managed to put in several good shots, although they were not well directed. He appeared to be fouled in the region of the penalty line, but the referee ignored the claim. After the Barnet goal had had a narrow escape following a free kick, Bucci hooked the ball into the corner of the net. Thornett appeared to touch it, but could not prevent it passing over the line. This goal came at the end of twenty minutes' play, and Hampstead appeared to have the game well in hand, but a few minutes later, from a good pass from the centre, Morris got through for Barnet, the original cause being a faulty kick by Moody, who otherwise played brilliantly. Barnet played up pluckily in the hope of getting at least one point, and things looked black for Hampstead, when Smith, in clearing, was hurt in the mouth. Apparently no one was to blame, as the referee bounced the ball, and it was got out of the danger zone. At the other end Shearcroft netted, but he was palpably offside. Towards the end it was difficult to follow the game closely, but the Hampstead defence held out, and whatever may happen during the remainder of the season, they will be able to look back with satisfaction to the winning of four points at the expense of one of their strongest rivals.

Hampstead have again to thank the half-back line largely for their victory, although the defence as a whole left little to be desired. Young is playing splendidly at right-half this season, and he can take credit for the first goal. The forwards as a line were disappointing, Sherman being too closely marked to show his usual effectiveness. Shearcroft again found the net, and it is worthy of note that in the three matches he has played since his return to the first team he has scored six times.

On the Barnet side there was no better man than Snaith, who at centre-half was good both in attack and defence. Sparrow was not so prominent as usual, and while he was responsible for many good movements, age is beginning to tell upon his work. On the form shown in the two games with Hampstead, Barnet are not so strong as in previous seasons, and from what has been seen in the second eleven matches, one or two of the Reserve players might well be promoted.