Hampstead dropped two more Athenian League points at Claremont-road on Saturday, the verdict being 2-1 in favour of Sutton United. Hampstead gave a disappointing display, a decided weakness in the forward line being apparent, but this was not the only unsatisfactory feature. Hampstead supporters are accustomed to seeing their side beaten, and accept defeat with more than the usual degree of gracefulness, but the sporting instincts of the Sutton United players were not up to Athenian League traditions. They were argumentative and we feel sure that had a firmer referee been in charge one or more would have been given marching orders. When decisions are given they should be accepted, and the Sutton committee should bring before the notice of the players a sentence in the League handbook, which runs : "The referee's decision, right or wrong, is final, and argument is useless." While it cannot be said that the Sutton players were guilty of offences which deserved extreme punishment, there was an inclination on the part of the visitors to look upon football not just as a game, but as a contest to be won at any cost, and there were a number of incidents which left an unpleasant flavour. There was an unnecessary wastage of time through the ball being kicked out of play and in placing it for goal kicks.

None but very strong partisans, however, will be prepared to say that Hampstead deserved the points. The same side that beat Waltham Comrades by 7-1 was placed in the field. The programme stated that "the fact that we are relying upon the same side as last Saturday does not necessarily indicate that it gives complete satisfaction. It is, however, to be given a chance to settle down." It can be said at once that the side did not settle down, and although the changes have been rung a good deal, it would seem that further alterations will have to be made. While the defence may not be perfect, the forwards have been largely to blame for the inglorious displays up to date. It is true that there have been three victories as against the same number of losses, but the dropping of five points at home during the first month of the season will not do. Hampstead have a body of supporters of which any club can be proud, and if they could alight on a team that was capable of running into one of the top positions in the League we should be hearing of four or five thousand gates every time the first eleven were at home.

Hampstead were at a disadvantage in the first half in having to face sun and wind, and Sutton soon took control of the game. Goodwin had to save from a centre by Middleton, who was a substitute for Shillabear : and after a brief attack by the home side, which ended in Ryding shooting wide, Savage headed through from a nice centre by Long. This goal came at the end of three minutes. Sutton continued to have the better of the play, the forwards being more certain in their passes than Hampstead, and Goodwin dealt ably with many good shots, the best of which came from Middleton and Ivey. Smy hit the cross-bar from a pass by Ryding, but most of the other shots were badly-directed, and those well aimed lacked sting. Hampstead were fortunate in not having a penalty awarded against them for handling, most of the spectators being surprised that the incident passed unnoticed by the referee, but before the game ended matters were squared, the visitors being fortunate in not having appeals against them allowed. At the end of thirty-five minutes Sutton got another goal, again through Savage, owing to a misunderstanding between the backs.

The ball was put into the net by Sutton on another occasion, but a goal was disallowed on the ground of offside : seemingly a just decision, but one which led to an unseemly argument with the referee by some of the Sutton United players.

In the second half Hampstead had much more of the play, but could only score once, this goal being obtained ten minutes from the restart by Howell from a pass by Young. Bedford had previously been hurt, and after this goal was scored he had to be removed from the field, Bond taking his place. Hampstead failed to utilise their opportunities while Sutton were thus handicapped, and the exchanging of places by Smy and Ryding did not bring about the desired end. Hampstead showed a sporting spirit by cheering Bedford when he returned before any mischief had been done. A really good chance was lost by Middleton, who shot by with Goodwin well beaten, but an even more glaring mistake was made by Howell, when, towards the close, he might have equalised the scores had he shown better judgment. Only a few feet from goal, and Bedford badly placed, he shot outside. Sutton thus won by 2-1, and while there was a time when they were looked upon as easy prey for Hampstead, the Surrey men have got six points out of the last three games.

For Hampstead, Goodwin did very well in goal, although he does not deal with ground shots so well as when he served the Blue and Whites previously ; Parsons was the better back, Allwright being often beaten ; the halves were a sound trio ; and Smy was the best of a weak forward line.

On the Sutton side good work was done by Bedford, Hance, Ivey, Middleton, Savage, and Long, but the last-named was too closely watched by Anderson and Parsons to shine with his usual brilliancy.