After the victory against Barnet in the F.A. Cup it was hoped that Hampstead had definitely turned the corner, and that their League position would be improved by a home match with Cheshunt, against whom they had obtained both points in September, but visitors to Claremont-road were treated to a very unsatisfactory display. A draw of two goals all was the result, after Hampstead had led by one goal at the interval. Had the Hampstead forwards been at all accurate in their shooting they should have been leading by at least three goals at the change of ends.

Smy and Shearcroft returned to the Hampstead team, D.E. Levy retaining his position at outside-left to the exclusion of Howell, who, we understand, did not take kindly to the decision that he should stand down for the match, and has left the club.

Cheshunt started well, Goodwin making a fine save, at the expense of a corner, from Halfhide, who proved one of the best outside-rights seen on the ground for a long time. However, Cheshunt were mainly on the defensive in this half. At times the movements of the Hampstead forwards were very skilful, but near goal there was a decided weakness, and there were groans when Levy missed two fine opportunities. He was not the only player who seemed to imagine that the cross-bar had been raised for this match, there being a decided tendency to sky the ball. Reinke was very pushful, if lacking in polish, and he made one or two good attempts, as did Shearcroft, one of whose shots went into the far corner, and was only saved with difficulty by Miles. Hampstead had reason to think fortune was on their side when the cross-bar was twice hit with Goodwin well beaten, but Cheshunt were denied the fruits of splendid attacking work.

At the end of twenty-five minutes Young, with a good centre, enabled Reinke to open the scoring and Hampstead, encouraged by this success, continued to attack, but failed in close quarters, Pease being one who might well have got a goal. Reinke hit the cross-bar with a head shot, and although Cheshunt were also unfortunate with some of their shots, they must be considered to have done reasonably well in being only a goal down at half-time.

Things did not improve from the Hampstead standpoint in the second half. Soon after the start, from a corner kick, Miller put Cheshunt on level terms, and they would have gone ahead but for a fine save in the goal-mouth by Anderson. Hampstead regained the lead following a free kick. The ball was handled in the penalty area and Smy easily converted. For some time Hampstead were well on top, but Miles was very safe in goal. On one occasion he was warmly cheered for the manner in which he punched out single-handed one of Anderson's specials. Cheshunt were not too scrupulous in their methods, and unfortunately Hampstead paid a heavy price for a foul on Smy. This offence had apparently not been noticed by the referee, who allowed the game to proceed, and Shearcroft headed into the net from a pass by Levy. Everyone thought that the goal would be counted, seeing that the official pointed to the centre of the ground, but upon appeal the point was disallowed. After that Hampstead went to pieces, and their position was not improved by an injury to Young. From another corner kick Warren got a second goal for Cheshunt, this being the end of the scoring. The light was very bad towards the end, and it was difficult to follow the ball.

There was a great falling off in the standard of Hampstead's play, and while it was chiefly seen among the forwards the defence was not so brilliant as in the Barnet match. Barracking, however, will not improve matters. There was far too much of it and from a quarter where it was least expected.

Dodd, at centre-half, was a tower of strength to the Cheshunt side and Halfhide was a continual source of trouble to Wardlaw and Parsons.

While Levy missed one or two good chances, there is no doubt that he is a young man of promise, but the selection committee must realise that they have not yet secured a forward line which will take the club far.