In beating Windsor and Eton by two goals to none in the Athenian League at Windsor on Saturday Hampstead Town brought off a pleasant surprise for their supporters, who had been much disappointed in the performance in the previous week against Cheshunt, and the result of the match should bring together a big crowd to-morrow at Cricklewood-lane to witness Hampstead's return League match with Southall. There is an old score to wipe off, Southall having won the previous match by two goals to one, but on that occasion Hampstead lacked the services of Pease, Brazier and Barnes. Barnes is still unfit to play, but his substitute, Thorlby, is putting up some good performances.

Hampstead's win on Saturday was distinctly creditable inasmuch as Windsor and Eton had not been beaten for some weeks, and in no previous match this season had they failed to find the net. That they did not score on Saturday was mainly due to an exceptional performance from Goodwin, who has never played a better game since he joined Hampstead. We understand he was particularly anxious to shine against Windsor, his old club, and right well he succeeded. He came in for much cheering, which appeared to be ironical, as he entered the field, but he was not in the least perturbed.

In view of recent heavy rain - it fell mercilessly as the Hampstead players approached the Royal borough by motor - the teams put up a fine display. Naturally, there was some miskicking, but the players triumphed wonderfully over the conditions, and the pace was hot from start to finish. Hampstead had not forgotten that on their last visit to the same ground they were fortunate in effecting a draw after having had three goals in hand, and they were determined that if they could gain a lead it would not be lost.

Taking the play in the first half, there was little to choose between the teams. Windsor were the first to get going, Norris, the demon scorer, soon taking shots at goal, while Dawson, the centre-half, sent the ball over the bar. Thorlby was the first to test the home goalkeeper, and then Pease shot wildly. Clarke, upon whom Hampstead has depended so much, soon showed he was in excellent form, the manner in which he stopped McKeown when he was getting dangerous deserving commendation. Thorlby also rendered good service when Goodwin was lying on the ground and a score seemed inevitable. Wise tested Fardell with a shot that nearly sent him into the back of the net, and Goodwin then did well to get rid of the ball from a free kick at the expense of a corner. At the end of twenty minutes Cousins met with reward for good work by scoring a beautiful goal from a pass by Ball, the goalkeeper having no chance.

Cousins continued to show that he is entitled to an established place in the team, another shot resulting in a corner kick. Had it been an inch or so lower it must have scored. Windsor's forwards were by no means inactive. Norris found Pease a great stumbling block, but now and again he managed to get through, and but for the slippery state of the ground Goodwin must have been beaten. On one occasion the ball traversed right across the goal while the Windsor players were slithering about. There were several melees in front of goal, but Goodwin was invincible. He seemed on the ground quite a long time hugging the ball surrounded by his own side and opponents, and the situation was not relieved until the referee awarded a foul against Windsor. Just on half-time Howard, who had played a very tricky game, and had proved a good partner to Cousins, had the satisfaction of scoring Hampstead's second goal, Fardell touching the ball but failing to hold it. Goodwin was again thoroughly tested from a corner kick, and at the other end Wise, when well placed, shot over the bar. Beautiful work on the right wing led to Reinke heading into the goalkeeper's hands, and after an unproductive corner for Hampstead the whistle went for half-time.

Hampstead could not complain of their luck in holding a lead of two goals, but in the second half they were even more fortunate as Windsor had the lion's share of the play without getting any tangible result. The play might have run on more even lines had not Wardlaw developed knee trouble, causing him to leave the field for some time and then taking the position of outside-left. While of some service, his play naturally suffered. Just about the same time as Wardlaw went off Clarke was also hurt, and Thorlby was quite dazed after heading the ball but fortunately they were soon in the thick of the fight again; indeed, they seemed to play better than ever. But even allowing for the fine defensive tactics of the backs and halves, Goodwin was the saviour of the side. How he cleared his lines on many occasions remains a mystery. Once it was claimed that the ball had gone over the goal line, but the referee was well placed, and refused to satisfy the clamourous Windsor supporters, who did not take the decision in good taste. Now and again the Hampstead forwards got away, and there was a desperate scrimmage in the goal mouth, Fardell doing well in preventing the visitors adding to their lead. Cousins also had a bit of hard luck. Towards the end some of the Windsor supporters realised the position was hopeless, and left the ground. Others who remained until the final whistle went showed their disappointment by speaking somewhat plainly to those who had controlled the game.

The outstanding players on the Hampstead side were Goodwin, Clarke, Pease and Cousins, but there were no really weak spots, and the team as a whole can be congratulated on picking up another couple of League points away from home. They may prove very useful. Windsor appear to be much stronger than in some previous seasons, and few visiting League clubs, we fancy, will extract the full points from them.