Two valuable Athenian League points were dropped by Hampstead Town on Saturday as a result of the visit of Barking Town to the Cricklewood-lane enclosure. As will be seen by the table in another column the position for second honours is full of interest. Hampstead met Barnet last night (Thursday) and still have to play Barking Town and Bromley away and Barnet and Enfield at home. Much may happen between now and the end of the season.

In the first minute of the game Young, in attempting to get the ball from the visiting goalkeeper, injured his knee and had to retire. Although he made a reappearance, his injury was so bad that eventually he left the field altogether. Hampstead, with only ten men, made a plucky fight, but the disorganisation was heavily felt.

In the early stages of the game it seemed as if Dame Fortune was with the Barking team, as somebody's head, leg, or body seemed to get in the way whenever Hampstead attempted to shoot - and that was frequently. Midway through the first half Barking's centre-forward sent in a shot which Goodwin did well to clear at the expense of a corner. From the kick and a melee in front of goal Barking scored. At this stage Hampstead adopted the one-back game, Rowe coming forward and Iles going into the half-back line. The Hampstead forwards thus had a much better opportunity of showing their worth, and at the interval they were pressing.

The second half opened in sensational fashion. From a miskick by a Barking back Wise scored with a splendid shot. Shortly afterwards the Barking goalkeeper was penalised practically on the goal-line, but after two attempts with the free kick Wise sent over the bar. Unfortunately for the homesters Iles handled just outside the fatal area, and from a grounder Barking scored. They quickly followed up this success by notching another point. Rowe, however, managed to lessen the score by scoring with a beautiful shot. From now onwards a ding-dong battle took place, but although Hampstead pressed, the loss of Young made a great difference to the team, and they were unlucky to lose by the odd goal in five. Brazier at back played finely and often trapped the visiting forwards to get into offside positions.