By scoring three goals in the space of about ten minutes, Harry Shearcroft, the popular centre-forward of the Hampstead club, contributed largely to the defeat of Enfield in the Athenian League match at Claremont-road, on Saturday. Three other goals were scored, two by Moore and one by Graves. Enfield found the net once through Webster, and thus the result of the game at Enfield in December was exactly reversed.

Hampstead were the better team throughout, but it was not until the second half was well advanced that victory was certain. At the interval the score was 1-0 in Hampstead's favour, but Enfield got an equalising goal before the home side started on their triumphal march. Having regained the lead, goals came quickly.

This was the first match since Moody took over the captaincy. He started well by winning the toss, although it was no great advantage, and then proceeded to give a brilliant exhibition of half-back play. He was naturally very pleased with the result, which goes to strengthen Hampstead's position at the head of the League table.

Enfield were not so strongly represented as in the first match, but with the exception of A. Owens, who was unfit although on the ground, Hampstead had their best side. The vacancy at left-back was taken by G. Bucci, who seems able to play well in any position, and Cecil Graves came in as partner to Moore. The crowd seemed pleased that Graves ("Little Tich" is his pet name) was given another chance, and he did not lack encouragement.

Hampstead opened promisingly, the work on the left wing soon giving Dyson trouble, and Shearcroft, from a centre from Moore, just headed outside. From a nice pass by Bucci, Sherman also missed. A corner to Enfield having proved unfruitful, although Anderson's shot was commendable, Hampstead returned to the attack, but Shearcroft missed a good chance by shooting instead of sending out to Moore, who was favourably placed. A fine run by Sherman was the prelude to a hot attack, but after Gibbons had made two or three good saves he seemed to be deceived by a shot by Moore, the ball passing into the net close by the post.

Except for brief spells, Enfield were kept on the defensive, and but for an exceptional display by Gibbons, Hampstead would have piled up a big score in the first half. The forwards have seldom done better, but goals would not come, some exasperating luck being experienced. They thirsted for goals so much that they were inclined to get offside, Shearcroft being the principal offender, but the Enfield backs - two cute men - trapped them into offending. Gibbons tipped over the bar a fine shot from Shearcroft, and three corners fell to Hampstead. Although well placed, Enfield's defence prevailed.

Pinnuck failed to accept a chance by shooting over the bar when well positioned, and for a few minutes Enfield gave signs of equalising, but Young made one fine clearance by giving a corner. Graves also conceded a corner kick, but Smith was sound in goal.

From a centre by Moore, Sherman did a surprising amount of work on the right wing, but some of his final efforts were not good. He had really hard luck, however, on two or three occasions, Gibbons showing much cleverness in dealing with high shots. At the interval Hampstead led by one goal to none, which far from represented the true position. The forwards have often showed less virility and scored more goals.

The second half opened in Hampstead's favour, a hot attack on Enfield's goal ending with a free kick against the home side for some infringement. A foul on Graves as he was getting away on the left was unfortunate for Hampstead, but they continued to keep Gibbons busy. At last came the bolt from the blue. Stredwick, who had been prominent several times, got away on the left wing, and sent in a cross-over which Webster converted. An appeal for offside against Stredwick was disallowed.

Encouraged by an unexpected goal, Enfield played up determinedly, and for some time it looked as though Hampstead would have to be satisfied with one point. But it has been before revealed that the fighting instinct is strong in Hampstead, and it was so in this match. With twenty minutes to go Shearcroft put Hampstead ahead; a minute or two later, from a beautiful pass by Prestwich - a pass which showed the newcomer's cleverness - he scored Hampstead's third goal, and following combination which we have not seen equalled on the ground, Harry headed another goal from Sherman's pass. This brought the score to 4-1, and Shearcroft was deservedly cheered for doing the hat trick, although the credit must be shared.

Although there was now no doubt about the result, Enfield never slackened, and Smith made one fine save while on the ground. Hampstead's defence, apart from Smith, was sound, Webb and Bucci putting in some fine kicks, while the half-back line tackled well. Sherman in this half was at his best, and from one of his centres Graves scored the fifth goal; and, from a nice touch by Shearcroft, Moore got the sixth and last.

There was just a hope that Hampstead would be able to go one better than Enfield had done at Christmas time, but the defence held out under pressure.

Thus honours are easy. Hampstead got a much easier victory than was expected, one or two men, including Green and Howe, who did the damage for Enfield in the first match, being missed; but it must not be forgotten that on that occasion the Hampstead team was all at sixes and sevens. Prior to this match the Enfield defence had only been beaten 19 times in 13 League games.