With their match at Redhill on Saturday Hampstead completed one-half of their Athenian League engagements. Out of a possible 26 points they have obtained 20, and a continuance of that form will probably give them the championship of the League for the first time. Of the 13 games they have won 9, lost 2, and drawn 2, and it is a coincidence that the first and last of the 13 matches should have ended on level terms.

It was no mean performance to get a point at Redhill, even bearing in mind that Redhill had lost at Claremont-road by two goals to none. For several years the Surrey club has been among the leaders of the competition, and promise once again to be well in the running.

Hampstead were fortunate in placing their usual team in the field. The match was watched by quite a good crowd, but a tour of grounds shows that few Athenian League clubs have better support than Hampstead.

Losing the toss was a disadvantage to Hampstead, who opened the game with a tiresome wind against them. In the first minute there was a surprising turn, as after Shearcroft had been given offside, the Redhill forwards got away, and with what looked to be an easy shot, L. Smith beat his namesake. In justice to the Hampstead goalkeeper, it may be said he was troubled by a ray of sunshine, while a contributing factor may have been the hasty manner in which Wardlaw and Moody took the field. However, it was useless crying over spilt milk, and all that could be done was to make redress as soon as possible. Fortunately, Smith was not unduly upset by his misfortune, and it may be said at once that he atoned from that early fall from grace time after time, one or two of his saves towards the end in a dim light bordering on the miraculous.

After the opening goal Hampstead quite held their own. Moore was too well covered by G. Webb, Redhill's right-back, to be dangerous, but some nice opportunities came to Sherman, who, however, had a tendency to run the ball too near the touch-line. With advantage he might often had shot earlier. A wonderful shot - we have not often seen a better one which did not take effect - was sent in by Smy, which struck the post, and some other good efforts were made. The game was fast and of a remarkably even character, the ball travelling from end to end frequently and neither side pressing for any length of time. In defence F. Webb and Young were conspicuous for Hampstead, although in McCarthy and Wilkins, Owens had the more formidable wing to face. The equalising goal - thoroughly well deserved - came at the end of 22 minutes from combined work by Moore, Sherman and Bucci, the last-named putting on the finishing touch.

After this Redhill took up the running, and from the first corner of the match Bucci showed his versatality by good defensive work, a good header getting the ball out of the danger zone. The next exciting incident was when Smith, in attempting to clear, was charged heavily and fell into goal on his shoulder. After receiving the attention of Hampstead's handy first-aid man, he resumed, a free kick being given against Redhill. That Smith was not badly hurt was shown by his after work. Shortly before half-time Hampstead took the lead through Shearcroft, who, with one of his remarkably quick turns, hooked the ball into the net from a pass by Moore. Had they taken advantage of their opportunities Redhill would have equalised, Smith, at centre-forward, being a grave offender more than once. Further, it was open to question whether a penalty kick should not have been given against Hampstead. To many it seemed that a visiting player handled the ball near goal, though not intentionally, but the referee refused the claim.

Hampstead maintained their lead until well into the second half, although at times it seemed almost impossible that the defence could withstand the onslaughts of the Redhill forwards. Owens, however, backed up F. Webb splendidly, and although Moody's work did not reach his highest standard the halves as a whole did good service. Hampstead had their share of attacking, Shearcroft narrowly missing the goal on several occasions with head shots, while Moore found G. Webb less troublesome as the game advanced. Once he was rather badly brought down, and had to retire for two or three minutes. Rose and Smith were responsible for many good saves, both playing with confidence. Redhill equalised 27 minutes after crossing over from a free kick taken by Bennett, McCarthy finding the net. In the closing stages it was difficult to follow the play owing to the fading light. Play continued on even lines, although Smith had the more difficult shots to deal with, his effort in the last minute or two when the goal seemed at the mercy of the Redhill forwards eliciting praise all round the field.

Taking the game throughout, the result is a fair one, and does credit to Hampstead in view of the fact that they were one goal down very early in the game. Apart from Smith, in goal, chief honours are due to F. Webb and Young in effecting a draw, but a fair standard of merit was shown throughout the team, and no changes should be thought necessary.

Redhill have a good all-round team, but failure to take advantage of good openings, as was the case in this match, will not win them the championship. Both teams differed in two instances from those which took the field at Claremont-road, Shearcroft and Owens replacing Neil and Miller in the Hampstead eleven, and Cable and Monger taking places previously filled by Barber and Barnfather.