By one goal to love - a brilliant goal by Wise when the second half of the game was well advanced - Hampstead Town beat Barnet on Saturday at Cricklewood-lane in the semi-final of the Middlesex Charity Cup, thus earning the right to meet Botwell Mission on Saturday, May 8th, on the ground of Brentford F.C. for possession of the trophy, which they have held once previously.

On May 13th, 1922, in this competition, Hampstead Town beat Botwell Mission, at Brentford, by two goals to one, and of the men then appearing for Hampstead Wise is the only one now in the team. In the previous year, when the same clubs also played in the final, Botwell Mission won by three goals to one.

There was a crowd of about 3,000 on Saturday, which is testimony to the great interest taken in the meetings between the clubs. This was the fifth of the season, and Hampstead have the pleasure of winning the rubber. It may be said that the last of these five games was as good as any. The fight was keen, but play was scrupulously clean, there being no infringements of a serious character. It is pleasing to find that hostility often shown in the past has been dropped.

Hampstead again made changes in the side, and for Barnet Sparrow usually appears at centre, but it was felt it would be for the good of his side and for himself if he took up a position where he would not be so closely marked. In the second half, however, the old formation was reverted to.

The game was throughout of a fast character, and for no period did either side for long overrun their opponents. Both goalkeepers were in remarkably fine form, many shots that would have beaten less able men being tipped over the bar. There were more corners in this match than we have seen for a long time, but the placing as a rule was not good. At the outset Barnet took up the offensive, and Tarrant, a newcomer in Hampstead's first eleven, came into the picture by using his head in saving from a corner kick, and after Wise had tested Burr with a good ground shot Snaith made a single-handed run which ended in the ball being sent high over the bar. From a corner, forced by Rowe, Barnet's goal was threatened, and then Goodwin had to put forth his best efforts to defend his charge, a bouncing ball almost deceiving him. One of the deadliest shots Burr had to deal with was from a free kick, taken just outside the penalty line. The combination on both sides was good, and while the Barnet line seemed the cleverer the finishing often left much to be desired. There was one occasion when it seemed certain that Sparrow must score, and there were cries of "Oh!" as the ball went wide. Some of Hampstead's best work was on the left wing, Rowe settling down very well in a new position, while on the other wing Cousins tested Burr severely. Ashby kept his line well together, distributing the ball judiciously, but at the same time he made several individual efforts which promised well. Towards the end of the first half Barnet exercised a great deal of pressure, and while every credit must be given to Hampstead's defence, Clarke making magnificent clearances, the visitors richly deserved a goal, Williams, a speedy winger, sending in one of the best shots of the match.

If Barnet had proved the slightly superior side in the first half, the balance of play was in the same degree in favour of Hampstead upon the change of ends, although it must be admitted that for some little time it seemed that Barnet would carry away the spoils. Sparrow, in the old position as leader of the forwards, made desperate efforts to get through, and the fact that Pease was not quite on tip-top form (he has had a good deal of strenuous work in recent games) made his task easier. However, there were others to thwart his efforts, and the work of Tarrant was quite commendable. Towards the middle of this half Hampstead played up remarkably well, and they had hard luck in not scoring from a scrimmage in front of goal. Rowe immediately after sent in a good shot, but Burr was in quite his best form. At last, however, he was beaten by Wise, who, receiving from Thorlby, drove the ball into the net at a remarkable pace. It was one of the best goals Wise has ever scored, but a share of the credit is due to Thorlby, who placed the ball so nicely at Wise's feet. After this Barnet tried hard to equalise, and there were many occasions when it seemed they would succeed, but the Hampstead defence prevailed. It was, however, a source of relief to the home supporters when the whistle blew for time.

Had Barnet won it would have fallen to them to meet Botwell Mission on successive Saturdays at Brentford in the finals of the Middlesex Senior Cup and the Middlesex Charity Cup. It is well, therefore, that honours have been shared.