Whatever chances Hampstead had of winning the Athenian League championship were considerably reduced on Saturday. While Leyton, their closest rivals, were handsomely defeating Enfield on their own ground, Hampstead found goals hard to get on the ground of Windsor and Eton. They scored at the end of ten minutes, but this was their only success, whereas Ledger put on two for the Royalists. The dropping of three points in a fortnight against lowly-placed teams has proved serious, and if Windsor and Cheshunt cannot be beaten, there seems little hope of many points being picked up at Southall, Kingston, Sutton and Leyton.

At one time Hampstead revelled in heavy ground, but the present players are slow in adapting themselves to the conditions experienced during the past few weeks.

On Saturday Hampstead were greatly handicapped by the absence of Moody, the captain, who was unwell, while Fennell was also unable to fill the position allotted to him. Moody's place at centre-half was filled by L. Barber, who, we are informed, had been doing well with the Millwall reserve team, but although he started promisingly, there were times when it was realised what a loss the absence of Moody meant. Had he been in the team the verdict would probably have been different. Graves, who returned to inside-left, was not a success, and things were not improved when he got crippled. The forward line has seldom been less effective, and the only man of the five who came out of the match with credit was Bucci, who, thanks to the return of Owens, was able to take up his old position at inside-right. Even he failed at critical moments. By far the greater amount of work was done on the right wing. For some reason or other there was a tendency to starve Moore. It was almost a quarter-of-an-hour before his feet touched the ball, but even when he had some work to do he did not make the best use of his opportunities. Windsor's forwards were equally at fault, and much must be attributed to the vile condition of the ground. Hampstead have not played on one to equal it this season.

The game, in which kick-and-rush tactics predominated, was disappointing in other respects. In control was one who was very fond of blowing his whistle, and we cannot remember a game in which there were so many stoppages for alleged infringements. Some of the appeals might well have been ignored.

Both teams had reason to grumble, but in particular Hampstead towards the end of the game, when the referee ended a hot attack on goal by deciding to throw the ball up. Those who were near the goal-mouth aver that Hampstead should not have been prejudiced by the tactics of Taylor, Windsor's goal-keeper.

Although winning the toss, Windsor kicked up the slope in the first half. The home defenders did not inspire confidence at the start, and Hampstead soon got their only goal. Taylor and Shearcroft had a tussle for possession, but the goal-keeper unfortunately slipped and Hampstead's centre-forward had the easiest of chances. A goal at this stage seemed promising, but gradually the Windsor forwards got going, good work being done on the right wing. Their shooting was often open to criticism, but at the same time they put more punch into their kicking than Hampstead, and the defenders also kicked strongly. Sherman made some good runs, but could not get in his usual centres. One of the best chances fell to Bucci, who, receiving a pass from Shearcroft, had a clear run. Despite cries of offside the referee allowed Bucci to proceed, but unfortunately he shot wide of the net.

A free kick taken by Wardlaw for hands gave Hampstead another opening, but Windsor had a sound goal-keeper in Taylor, who did particularly well in saving a ground shot from Shearcroft. At the other end Smith was kept busy, despite the great amount of work put in by Webb, the deputy captain, who used his head in timely fashion. At the end of just over half-an-hour the scores were equalised. Smith ran out and made a grand save, but before he could return to his position , Ledger drove the ball into the net, despite an effort by Young, who flung his arm up, thus risking a penalty kick.

After this success Windsor pressed heavily, and Hampstead's defence did well to prevent further scoring in this half. Adams sent in a shot which almost grazed the cross-bar, and Smith had to deal with other dangerous movements. There was just a possibility that Shearcroft would have scored had he gone through instead of passing to Moore, while Young tested Taylor with a good shot, but Smith had infinitely more work to do in the closing fifteen minutes of the first half than his vis-a-vis.

Upon returning after a welcome rest, Hampstead got going, and forced several corners, which, however, were not too well placed. Taylor made a fine save when Sherman ran down and a goal seemed almost certain, and there were other occasions when Hampstead had real reason for complaining that their luck was out. Sherman improved this half, and put in some good shots, and on one occasion Shearcroft was hustled off the ball just as there was hope that he would find the net. Owens had a fine wing to handle, and he developed at times a rashness which boded ill. It was from this wing that the winning goal was scored. After Smith had saved from Ryding, Ledger again sent the ball home. A minute or two later Adams narrowly missed getting a third goal for Windsor.

Towards the end Hampstead set up a persistent attack, but it was found impossible to penetrate the Windsor defence, and they retired defeated by two goals to one.

Windsor deserved the spoils on the run of the play, but, as we have said, the absence of Moody made a great difference to Hampstead's strength, and ground advantage was certainly worth more than a goal to the home side. Conditions have often been bad when Hampstead are at Windsor, but they have seldom played on a worse pitch. Of the Hampstead side, Smith, Webb, Wardlaw and Bucci might be selected for praiseworthy mention. None of the others showed their real form, and there is no doubt that at the moment the loss of Smy is being felt.