Having lost eight matches in succession, it can be imagined that Hampstead's win by ten goals to love against West Norwood on Saturday in the Athenian League has caused a big stir in the football world, the London newspapers having devoted a good deal of space to this feat apart from prominent headlines. On the first Saturday in December Hampstead lost to West Norwood, who are at the foot of the league table, by 5-3, at Mitcham; but the tables have been turned with a vengeance. While giving credit to Hampstead, however, for their double-digit victory, it would be foolish to place too much value upon it; a score of 5-1 would give a better representation of the merits of the teams. There are occasions, as Hampstead know full well, when everything goes against a side, no matter how hard they try. On Saturday West Norwood were in this position, and apparently Hampstead could do nothing wrong. In H.P. Jones West Norwood have one of the best goalkeepers in the Athenian League, and he is often chosen for representative games. Notwithstanding the blot upon his book in this game, he saved many fine shots, and as captain of the side may be complimented upon the very sporting way in which defeat was taken. F. Tolhurst, the visitors' centre-half, was one of the best men on the field, but the men who did the damage in the first match, F. Vince and W. Warnes, were too closely watched to be effective, R. Wardlaw, the home captain, stopping the speedy right-winger time after time.

Hampstead made three changes to their team. Clarke was unable, owing to an injury received in the Southall match, to play at right-back, his place being filled by W. Tarrant, a reserve player. The fact that the visitors could not score shows that Tarrant, who has been on the edge of the first team for a long time, did not let his side down. In fact he played a very serviceable game.

Cecil Wise was prevented from playing owing to the serious illness of his wife, his place at inside-left being taken by J.E. Harvey, and E.R. Applebee, another reserve player, was preferred to F.T. Dowse at inside-right. Applebee was largely responsible for the result, and on his form in this game the inside-right position should give no further cause for anxiety. Not only did he score three goals, but he contributed largely to the scoring of others. In too many matches this season Hampstead forwards have frittered away their chances, but on Saturday they were always on the target. With the backs often shaky under pressure Jones had a trying time, and he could in no way be blamed for the defeat.

Three goals were scored in the first half, the first coming at the end of five minutes through Applebee, who also had a share in the second, as it was from his pass that Deeks was able to send in a beautiful centre which Shearcroft converted with his head. For some little time West Norwood played one short, Williams being injured, but soon after his return Applebee scored Hampstead's third goal from Howell's centre. Chief danger to Hampstead's goal came from the right wing, Warnes endeavouring to cut through on several occasions, but Parsons played a sound game, and Brown was not unduly troubled. Pease, at centre-half, kept Vince well in hand, and, following his custom of late, did not hesitate to shoot whenever he spotted an opportunity. Some of these long shots wouuld have beaten a less skilful goalkeeper than Jones. In heading the ball Pease was injured, and had to leave the playing pitch for some few minutes, but his subsequent work showed that he was suffering no ill-effects.

In the second half Hampstead scored no fewer than seven times, and yet the play was not so one-sided as we have often seen it with the goalkeeper beaten less frequently. Shearcroft, who did many surprising things, his football being unorthodox, scored the fourth and fifth goals, the first of these being from Deeks' centre, and the second being headed into the net following a shot from Anderson. Howell then came into the picture, one of his many good shots striking the post and beating Jones. Pease scored the seventh; the next came from a scrimmage, Harvey giving the finishing touch. Shearcroft got the ninth and then one began to hear clamorous calls for double figures. Time was getting short, and it did not seem likely that the demands would be satisfied, but from a remarkable run down the field after Brown had smartly saved a penalty kick, taken by Warnes, Applebee scored the tenth goal, and incidentally his third.

It was a victory in which all of the players can rightfully claim a share of the credit, and after the long spell of ill-luck it should inspire confidence in the team. Unfortunately it will not be possible to place a full team in the field for the Christmas matches, and it may be difficult to garner more League points until the New Year, but having only four away League engagements and no fewer than eight at home it is hoped that at least a fairly respectable position in the table will be occupied when the curtain is rung down.