The Middlesex Charity Cup-tie on Saturday last, between Hampstead and Barnet, which had been looked forward to with much interest, proved a fiasco, bad light causing the game at Claremont-road to be abandoned early in the second half. Hampstead may be regarded as fortunate. When the referee decided to call a halt Barnet were leading by six goals to one, and there was every indication that had the game continued much longer they would have reached double figures, but no impartial person could doubt the wisdom of the action taken. It is quite true that play might have continued for another ten minutes or so without any great injustice being done, but it would certainly have been impossible for the game to have run its full course, and there was no justification for the opinions expressed by many of the Barnet supporters, who were naturally disappointed that their club were deprived of a victory which on the play was so well deserved.

At one time it seemed very doubtful whether the game would be started, but both clubs were very anxious to avoid a second blank Saturday in succession, and to enable the match to be concluded, if possible, the two secretaries readily consented to play being limited to forty minutes each way. It was unfortunate that Hampstead were a little late in turning out, as the delay subsequently gave rise to suggestions that with a weakened team they were not anxious to take the field at all, but unsportsmanship is not one of the sins that can be laid to their charge. The delay was due to the fact that last minute changes had to be made in the team, and even then Hampstead played for some time one short.

While Barnet had almost their best team (the only change from the eleven advertised was the introduction of S. Cousins for A. Morris at inside-right), Hampstead had four reserves, and when it was mentioned that they were without the services of Parsons, Anderson, Pease and Levy it will be seen that they were severely handicapped. S. Bloxham was called upon at the very last moment to fill Parsons' position, and it was not surprising to find that he was totally incapable of doing it successfully. The spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak. Centa came in at centre-half, as Pease was unable to trust his damaged ankle. W. Bishop played at right-half instead of Anderson, who has decided to play for Grays Athletic, which will be more convenient for him as he lives at Southend, and Levy had a deputy at outside-left in F.A. Watkins.

Until Bloxham appeared Wardlaw played at left-back and Hampstead relied on four forwards, and it was while they were short that Barnet registered their first goal through Richardson, whose shot gave Goodwin no possible chance. With a little luck Hampstead managed to keep their end up until they were at full stength numerically, but Bloxham, though a trier, proved no match for his wing, and it was a foregone conclusion that Hampstead were in for a sorry time. Goodwin made a fine save from Richardson, and a little later from a free kick, a movement was started which gave Watkins an opportunity of testing Jones, but it was not a severe test. Then Sparrow, who was perhaps not sorry to miss the attention of Pease, scored one of the finest goals that has been seen on the ground. In a masterful way he worked his way into the centre from the right wing, eluding several opponents, and finished up with a shot just under the bar. Those who appreciate good football, even though it comes from an opposing side, could not fail to cheer.

After this goals came very quickly, but the majority of spectators had difficulty in spotting the scorers as the light was gradually getting worse. [? (illegible)], however, elicited that Cousins (an old Hampstead player) scored the third and fifth, and Richardson the fourth and sixth, although Sparrow had a hand in nearly all of them. The Hampstead forwards were rarely dangerous, the half-backs being too much occupied in helping the defence to assist the attack. Goodwin and Shorland defended well, and although beaten six times, the goalkeeper could not be accused of letting his side down.

It was with some surprise that one found the teams leave the enclosure at the interval [after 40 minutes], but perhaps the referee had already come to the conclusion that it would be impossible to play the game to the finish.

Immediately after resuming Shearcroft scored a goal from a corner kick, cleverly heading in after Jones had punched away, and soon afterwards the referee, after a consultation with the linesmen, called the teams off he field : a decision which was received with mixed feelings.

It was some time before the crowd dispersed, but nothing in the nature of a hostile demonstration took place.

Sparrow, Richardson and Snaith were prominent in the Barnet side, and Goodwin, Shorland and Wardlaw battled valiantly against odds for Hampstead. Centa was not conspicuous at centre-half, where Pease was badly missed, but Bishop and Watkins were by no means the least effective players.