Hampstead atoned for their defeat by Sutton United in the Amateur Cup by winning the first of the Athenian League games at Claremont-road, on Saturday, by four goals to two. It was a stern struggle, and if Hampstead were a bit unlucky to be thrown out of the Cup by the Surrey club, the boot was on the other foot in this League match, Sutton twice holding a lead which they could not retain. In the first half they had a large share of the game, and but for the fine form by Hampstead's goal-keeper, S.R. Smith, would have had two or three goals in hand instead of being on level terms. After the change of ends Sutton again took the lead, but, like Sutton in the previous game, Hampstead came with a wet sail, and thanks to one of the younger players, F.A. Cooper, who scored twice, two valuable points were secured.

The result was very creditable to Hampstead, seeing that they were below strength. Influenza kept Moore out of the side, his place at outside-left being taken by Cooper. For a long time a weakness at this point was felt, but in the second half there was a welcome improvement in the youngster's play, and his last goal was the best of the match. Sherman was happily able to re-appear at outside-right, and had a new partner in R.C. Prestwich, who has played for Thames. The heavy condition of the ground did not suit his style, but he gave evidence that when he gets accustomed to the side and the ball is easier to move, he will be of value. He is tricky, and knows when to pass advantageously. George Bucci was transferred to inside-left, where he did well after a moderate start; indeed, there was no better forward on the Hampstead side.

Hampstead's defence was sound, as usual. Had it wavered in the first half, when Sutton, aided by the wind and rain, pressed strongly, there would have been no points to be placed to the credit of the blue and whites. Smith, in goal, did wonderfully well under pressure, the whole line of Sutton's front rank being very incisive. Not the least effective were two erstwhile Hampstead players, G.H. Smith, at inside-right, and D.E. Levy, at outside-left. Well as Webb and Owens played at back, they had their equals in the Sutton pair, who kicked strongly and seldom made a mistake until towards the end. Defensive work was not easy with the ground heavy. Hampstead's halves came out of the ordeal very well, Moody shining as the pivot, and many will be pleased to hear that he is succeeding Smy as captain. If standard of play counts for anything, then he is worthy of the honour.

The heavy rainfall kept the size of the crowd down to moderate dimensions, but the stand was practically filled. With a fine day, records for League games would probably have gone by the board.

Winning the toss, Sutton naturally seized the chance of playing with the wind and rain at their backs in the first half, and Hampstead found it difficult to get going. They forced the first corner, but it was a mere flash in the pan, and though Webb tackled well, Sutton scored at the end of five minutes through A.T. Mason, at inside-left, from a pass by Levy. In further attacks Mason was prominent, and for some time T. Bedford, the Sutton goal-keeper, was very quiet. Sutton were not too scrupulous in their methods, Nightingale, at centre-half, being an offender. Having regard to the fact that Hampstead's left wing was not particularly impressive, it is surprising that greater use was not made of Sherman. The right winger was not given many opportunities, and the crowd was not slow to cheer him when he made a dashing run. Tricking opponents nicely, he passed the ball towards the centre, but when it was returned to him he was pulled up for offside. Thus a good movement was wasted.

Having missed a chance to score for Hampstead, Bucci almost put the ball into the net in attempting to clear at the other end, and all recognised that he was striving hard, and atonement came when, from a pass by Wardlaw, he equalised the score with a fine kick after half-an-hour.

In the remaining quarter-of-an-hour nothing further was scored, although with an injured player Hampstead had some difficulty in keeping their end up, H. White showing to advantage at outside-right for Sutton. Taking all things into consideration, Hampstead may account themselves fortunate in being on level terms at the interval.

In the second half there was a marked improvement in Hampstead's play, but Shearcroft was prone to get offside, and some chances were lost. A wonderful difference in Cooper's play was noticeable, and he sent across some nice centres. Fine defensive work by E.L. Mason and Hance saved the situation. Then Baldwin, the Sutton centre-forward, from a pass by Levy, again put the visitors ahead, and would have scored again but for some grand saves by Smith, one from Levy being particularly good.

Cooper then obtained his reward for clever work by getting Hampstead's second goal, and after that Hampstead never looked back. From a free kick, taken by Moody, Searcroft gave the home side the lead for the first time with a header. Desperate appeals were made to the referee to disallow the goal on the ground of offside, but he refused to yield. With less than ten minutes to go, Cooper, keeping the ball well under control until he saw an opening, completely beat Bedford, and as Sutton could not respond, Hampstead left the field victorious by four goals to two.

Hampstead have had few harder games this season, and while the score did not accurately represent the run of the play, they must be congratulated on winning seeing that apart from the absence of Moore, one or two of the other players had not escaped sickness and were scarcely fit for such a strenuous match.