Having played 16 Athenian League games with the loss of only 6 points and 15 goals, the defeat by six goals to one sustained by Hampstead against Enfield on Saturday caused a big surprise in amateur football circles, but there is some valid excuse for the result. Not only were they up against one of the smartest sides they have met this season, but they were handicapped by the absence of Shearcroft, Moody and Wardlaw, three players who have played a big part in many victories this season. Shearcroft, owing to end-of-the-year business pressure, could not get away in time for an early kick-off; Moody has not recovered from his injury in the Maidenhead match; and honeymooning has led to Wardlaw's absence through Christmas-tide. Until just before kick-off the constitution of the Hampstead team was unknown, and when a start was made it was found that several players were in unusual positions.

The return of A. Anderson to the Hampstead fold (he was transferred from Barnet during last week) was very timely in view of the injury to Moody, but it was unfortunate that he could not take up his usual position as a wing half. The introduction of Young at centre-forward was not a success, and in the second half he reverted to his normal position at right-half. The change might well have been made earlier, seeing that Thorlby was quite unable to hold his wing. Had the usual half-back line been available, Enfield's forwards would not have been allowed so much freedom. While Anderson was most useful, Potter and Thorlby did not play football of the standard we have been accustomed to see from Hampstead this season. It must not be forgotten, however, that Enfield has a much stronger side this year than for some time past, and the team that did duty on Saturday would have beaten most Athenian League clubs. They have a remarkably smart line of forwards, and though Smith was beaten half-a-dozen times, he did not sully his reputation as a goal-keeper. Some of his clearances were first-rate, and one from Howe in the second half will not readily be forgotten.

Hampstead at no time gave the impression that they would return with both points, although it fell to them to score the first goal. This came at the end of 27 minutes, from Sherman, who made a smart run on the wing, and beating his man deftly, put in a good shot that was far too good for Miles. Some questioned the validity of the goal on the ground of offside, but the referee had no qualms. Previously Sherman had made other good runs, and was perhaps the best of the forwards. Smy worked hard, and put in one or two powerful shots, but Moore was not so helpful as usual, and while Young is a player who, like Bucci, seems capable of playing in almost any position without letting his side down, one missed in the centre those taps with the head which have produced so many goals this season.

Just after Hampstead had opened the scoring an incident occurred which had a big bearing on the result. A penalty for handling was awarded to Enfield, and with a terrific drive Dyson equalised, and from this point the home side never looked back. In the next minute Radford headed through from a nice pass by Irons, and at the same time Owens was involved in a collision which made it necessary for him to be carried off the field. Young went from centre-forward to left-back, and while Hampstead fought gallantly with ten men, Moore giving Miles a difficult shot, while Smy forced a corner, Green put on two goals for Enfield from centres by Stredwick. The interval came with the score 4-1 in favour of Enfield.

Owens was happily able to appear in the second half, but play had been resumed only a few minutes before Enfield's total had been raised to six, Howe finding the net twice with rasping shots that would have beaten most goal-keepers. It was then that Smy, the Hampstead captain, deemed it wise to place Young at right-half, and this had the effect of stopping many of the movements of Stredwick and Irons. As a matter of fact, Hampstead had quite a fair share of the game, but the forwards were never impressive, the absence of a centre-forward who could make use of work by the wings being badly felt. Sherman was unlucky in seeing some of his passes go straight across the goal-mouth. Thanks to Smith, Enfield could not add to their score, although they had many fine chances. At one time there was certainly a prospect that they would run into double figures, but happily such a catastrophe was averted.