Hampstead Town played Sutton United for the third time this season on Saturday, and followed up two victories in the Athenian League by inflicting a defeat in the London Senior Cup by four goals to two. In each of the previous games the margin in Hampstead's favour was three goals, but Sutton during the last few weeks have put in the field a much stronger team, and at several periods in Saturday's game they looked like sharing the honours. Their forwards were fast and combined nicely, and had not Goodwin been sound in goal they would have scored more than twice.

Except that R. Wardlaw, the captain, who has stood aside for two or three weeks owing to injury, returned to the half-back line, A. Thorlby thus being given a rest, Hampstead Town had the usual team.

In the early stages, in which Hampstead had a big share of the game, W. Berry, the Sutton goalkeeper, did not make a favourable impression. He appeared to "muff" one or two shots, but Hampstead did not make the most of their opportunities. Later, however, Berry showed that he is a custodian of great merit, and time and again he saved some excellent shots. Reinke, the home centre-forward, was exceptionally dashing in his methods, but his tactics did not work, and had more restraint been shown his side might have benefited. Although Hampstead had most of the play, the Sutton forwards were always dangerous, E. Tilby and C. Daily, the Surrey cricketer, being good on the extreme wings. One of their best attempts came from Bond, at centre-forward, who headed just over the bar. The first goal came at the end of half-an-hour, Howard placing Hampstead one up with a beautiful header from Ball's centre. Within a few minutes, however, Sutton equalised through Bond from Daily's centre. Following this Hampstead enjoyed more of the play, three corners falling to them in as many minutes, but at the interval the teams were still on level terms.

In the second half the teams seemed well matched, but Hampstead had the pleasure of scoring three goals to one. After Reinke had made a good effort, only to be pulled up for off-side, Cousins gave Hampstead the lead with a beautiful shot, and just about this time the Sutton goalkeeper had a difficult task, one of the best shots to be negotiated being that from Ball. It was a really wonderful save, and deservedly won the plaudits of the crowd. Wise scored the third goal for Hampstead, who then, apparently, had the game well in hand, but about five minutes from the end Baylis reduced the lead. Hampstead supporters were then on tenterhooks, the dramatic ending of the previous match, when Uxbridge equalised with almost the last kick, being remembered. Howard, however, when in a good position, placed the issue beyond doubt by scoring another goal, making the result 4-2.

While Hampstead deserved their win, Sutton gave them an unexpectedly close game. Clarke, who was at right-back, was an outstanding player from Hampstead, and while there were no glaring failures, the play was not such as to inspire too much confidence. Cousins and Howard were the pick of the forwards, but Ball gives promise of developing into a really good player. Wise is an ideal partner for a young player, but unfortunately he seems to have lost some of his skill in shooting.