Barnet had a surprise on Saturday at Cricklewood-lane, where Hampstead Town won the first of their Athenian League games with the Hertfordshire team by two goals to love. "Much better form will have to be shown to-day if Barnet are to be sent empty-handed away," was a phrase used in the Club notes on Saturday's programme. The form shown by Hampstead was certainly a little better than that displayed in previous games, but while it was not entirely satisfying, Barnet were below par, their much-boomed line of forwards failing to penetrate the Hampstead defence. G. Sparrow, the Barnet centre-forward, from whom so much is expected, and often received, found Pease a very great stumbling-block. The tussles between these two brilliant men were a treat to witness. Fortunately for Hampstead, Pease was at his very best, and though beaten at times, may be said to have won on points.

The inability of Wilkinson to play, owing to injuries, caused Hampstead's front line to be re-arranged. Batchelor, a junior player from Hampstead, was making a first appearance, and on the whole he filled the position satisfactorily. On the other wing there was a weakness. Elderton, who usually figures at half in the reserve team, had to be drafted into the team side at the last minute, and an injury during the game affected his play.

For a time the game ran on even lines, a feature of the early stages being the manner in which Burr shot out his hand and cleared a magnificent shot. The Barnet line of forwards seemed the cleverer, but the Hampstead inside men, Wise, Reinke and Harris, were very thrustful, and worried the opposing backs a great deal. Batchelor, at outside-right, made several nice movements, but left his partner to do the shooting. Two well placed corners to Barnet boded danger, but Pease's head came in very useful, and then, at the other end, Hampstead came within an ace of scoring from a free kick nicely placed by the ubiquitous centre-half. Led in clever style by Sparrow, the Barnet forwards were often in the danger zone, and once Clarke saved the situation when Goodwin seemed certain to be beaten. Clarke is not a showy player, but he is fast and tackles well, and does not hesitate to put the ball over the touch line when no other way of clearing seems possible. There were cries of foul when Batchelor used his weight, but while such a charge is seldom seen his action was quite legitimate, and the referee took no head of the appeal from Barnet supporters.

Hampstead were fortunate in clearing their lines from a desperate scrimmage in front of goal. The ball hovered in front of Goodwin, and it was either punched or kicked away quite half-a-dozen times. In the melee Goodwin was hurt, and though he soon resumed, he appeared in the second half with a bandaged wrist. Corners fell to both sides, and although the defences were sound, Fletcher in particular doing yeoman service for Barnet, the forwards allowed many gilt-edged chances to go abegging. Sparrow made one splendid effort, the ball just tipping the bar; and at the other end combined work by Reinke, Harris and Batchelor was worthy of success, while Elderton was at a disadvantage through lameness. Batchelor, the other extreme wing man, improved considerably as the game progressed, and was of real service to his partner. Just on the stroke of half-time Hampstead's efforts were rewarded, Burr being quite helpless in dealing with a shot by Reinke, who snapped up Harris's pass. On the run of the play the lead of one goal was well deserved.

The quality of the play deteriorated in the second half. Within five minutes Fletcher handled the ball almost on the goal line, and Pease converted, much to the chagrin of some of the Barnet players, particularly Burr, who had made no effort to save the shot. It is said that he did not hear the referee's whistle sounded for the kick to be taken. But Barnet did not mean Hampstead to have the spoils without a struggle, and spurred on by their supporters, Goodwin had to save many times. Hampstead's halves, however, never wavered, and largely through their excellent work the result from this time onward was seldom in doubt. Sound in defence, the halves, by tactful placing, gave the forwards endless opportunities, but Burr proved himself a brilliant goalkeeper. Surprisingly good was his save from one of several corners that fell to Hampstead. A long shot by Pease again tested him severely. Batchelor beat three or four men, but unfortunately delay in shooting rendered his work abortive. Towards the end Hampstead were peppering the Barnet goal, but could not beat Burr, Wise, amongst others, skimming the bar, but there was no further scoring. During the game there were several minor casualties, but the teams left the field with full numbers, if slightly weakened in physical strength.

Evidently Hampstead have nothing to fear so far as the defence is concerned, but the forward line give cause for anxiety. The committee are alive to the situation, and it is quite possible that in the course of a week or so some prominent players, including a Welsh amateur international in Joseph, will be available.