Hampstead, playing against Sutton United at the Surrey town in the Athenian League on Saturday, sustained their fourth successive defeat, Sutton winning a hard-fought game, played under treacherous conditions, by three goals to one, the score at the interval being 1-1.

It would have caused no surprise if the game had not been started, as the pitch was covered with pools of water, and when the teams turned out rain was coming down mercilessly. Play also had to be carried on in the teeth of a gale. At the interval there was a suggestion by the Sutton captain that the game should be abandoned, but having played for forty minutes the Hampstead players thought it would be well to avoid a second journey, although there is no doubt that had either captain made a direct appeal to the referee he would have decided in favour of closing down.

As might be expected, the gate was seriously affected. The centre of the ground was quite deserted, the few spectators who did not use the stand endeavouring to find shelter in secluded corners. Hampstead players found themselves without support except those in charge of the team, even the faithful few who accompany the team no matter how long the journey not daring to brave the storm.

It will be seen [from the line-up below] that Hampstead had presumably the strongest side that could be chosen. Wise re-appeared at inside-left, and it may be said at once that he was by no means the weakest member of the forward line. Beyond scoring Hampstead's only goal he seemed much happier than he has been on dry grounds, stamina being of more value last Saturday than speed. In the first half he was particularly useful. The wisdom of dropping Anderson was questioned. The forwards appreciate the way in which they are fed by him, and on a bad ground he might have been more value than Houghton.

Wardlaw was unfortunate in losing the toss, and for the first forty minutes (the period of play was mercifully curtailed) they had to battle against the elements. Strange to say, they did much better in the first half than in the second portion, but this may have been because their strength was waning. At the interval the teams were on level terms, Russ having opened the scoring for Sutton, and Wise shortly afterwards notching a point for Hampstead, and a division of the spoils was a fair reflection of the run of the game. It was surprising that more goals were no scored having regard to the conditions under which the men between the posts suffered. There were two occasions when Brown seemed to be beaten, but with the ball on the goal-line Clarke rushed to his aid and cleared. Mistakes by goalkeepers on such a day were pardonable. They soon found it was impossible to bounce the ball. At the other end Hampstead were continually troubling Pikerman, although it must be confessed that as a line they suffered in comparison with the Sutton five, the inside men once again failing to complete good work done by the extreme wing men. The three halves, Pease in particular, often took aim at goal but found a sound man in charge. Wise was the only man to beat him, and when we say it was one of the veteran's best efforts it will be understood that Pikerman was helpless. Evans did not seem happy in the centre, and it was well on half-time before he sent in a shot worth noting.

There was no need for despondency on the part of Hampstead when they turned out after an interval largely spent in wringing their football shirts, there being no duplicate set, but though the game opened promisingly for them, the home goalkeeper saving well from Deeks and then from Pease, Sutton took the lead through Middleton, who was playing a fine game on the wing. Hampstead played pluckily and looked like equalising for the second time, but after Gillings had scored a third goal from a wonderfully well-placed corner by Long, there was no doubt as to the result. Dunwoody had to retire shortly before the finish, and this gave Hampstead an advantage, but Pikerman was equal to all calls made upon him.

Sutton had previously won but four points in eight Athenian League games, but they are now bracketed with Hampstead in the table, and on Saturday's form promise to take precedence very soon. Individually Hampstead seem to have eleven serviceable players, but of fifteen games played they have won only six, and two of these victories - in Cup-ties - have been by the narrowest of margins. On several occasions there has been rank bad luck, but no one can deny that ineffectiveness has been displayed in a much greater degree than in past seasons, and serious consideration to the selection of players will have to be given. Evans has shown a distinct falling off in form since he scored four times at Kingston, and perhaps if Shearcroft exchanged places with him good would result.