The majority of those who watched the Hampstead v. Northampton Nomads match at Claremont Road on Saturday must have left with the impression that Hampstead had at last secured a good forward line. The club won by six goals to none, a big score, but one that did not over-represent their superiority. Moreover, it was not brought about by super-experience on the part of any one man. It was due entirely to team work, and seldom have we seen better combination. Few passes went astray.

G. Bucci, the vice-captain, was unable to appear owing to an injury sustained the previous week at Barking, and this enabled W. Tibbett, from St. Albans City, to retain his place. He is a useful player, and the reputation of Hampstead for being able to produce strong half-back lines promises to be maintained.

This was the first home match of the season, and notwithstanding the unsettled weather there was quite a good attendance. it was a pity that Northampton Nomads could not put up a better show. They never looked like holding Hampstead. It is true that they came without two of their advertised players: K.K. Goffery (inside-left) and K.J. Rymill (goal), but B.W. Gillett, substituting for the latter, was certainly not to blame for the heavy defeat. He played a wonderfully good game, and was cheered again and again for some clever saves.

As a matter of fact, he had to face an attack, the strength of which was a revelation to those who had not seen previously Hampstead's new forwards. There was an entirely new right wing in A.J. Breagan (late of Southall) and R.G. Rowe (Hayes). F.P. Evans, who has served Hampstead so splendidly for several years, was again in the centre, and J.G. Spalton (another old Southall man) made his debut at inside-left. His partner was W.H. Butland, who, as we mentioned last week, is never quite sure where he will be asked to play, but prepared, as any good club man should be, to obey orders. Frankly, he was not a conspicuous success at outside-left, though one could not say he was not given opportunities. A popular player, his colleagues were no less anxious than he was himself that he should shine.

Evans was responsible for two goals. Supported as he was, he could hardly fail to find the net, and with a continuance of that support, he should not have to do so much work as has often fallen to him. Rowe scored twice, and while not so showy as others, one could not fail to trace his influence upon the line. Breagan worked in perfect harmony with Rowe. While fast, he has good ball control, and can make full use of corner kicks. Spalton was always in the picture. His shots were well on the mark, and on his form Hampstead look as if they have obtained an inside-left who will fill a position that has for a long time given trouble.

P.A. Rees, absent from the match against Barking Town, was once more at centre-half, where he was remarkably successful at breaking up the visiting attacks. Rees follows a distinguished number of men in this pivotal position. The absence of Bucci was not greatly felt owing to the work of Tibbett, and on the other wing was Joe Bloxham. We found that Bloxham's form had not suffered through the recess. Hampstead's rear division is unchanged. F.H. Dean showed that the responsibilities of captainship has not affected his play. His tackling has improved immensely since he joined the club, and his kicking is strong and marked by judgment. Some have feared that Richardson was hardly equal to the calls made upon him and has somewhat suffered when comparisons with other players have been made, but while recognising that he had not a difficult wing to handle, his play in this match did him credit.

In regard to the goalkeeper, S.R. Smith, who was last season brilliant and uncertain in turns, has, temporarily at least, been replaced by E.G. Cornell. Whether Cornell retains his position remains to be seen. It is in his favour that he has kept splendidly for the Reserves. In a way it was unfortunate that he was not tested to any extent on Saturday, largely because the Northampton forward line did not live up to their reputation. Seldom have we seen a club of such prominence show such poor form in attack. Cornell had less than half-a-dozen shots to save, and none possessed sting. A useful purpose wold have been served had he been bombarded.

Rain was responsible for a little miskicking in the early stages. After some play on the left wing, Butland being responsible for the first effort of note, Hampstead scored their first goal, at the end of about five minutes, through the combined efforts of Bloxham, Butland and Rowe. Bloxham sent the ball well across to the left, where Butland was in waiting, and from his nice pass Rowe had no difficulty in heading in to goal.

This was the prelude to many determined attacks upon the Nomads' goal. Hampstead were much more dashing in their movements, but at the same time passing was well-timed. The three inside men were a constant source of trouble. Evans hit the post from a pass by Rowe, and corners taken by Breagan always looked dangerous. While Cornell stood idly watching the game between the uprights, the Nomads' goalkeeper had to be constantly on the look-out. One of his smartest saves was from Evans, who was assiduously nursed by Spalton and Rowe. Offside spoilt several movements by Evans. He worked hard, but did not shoot as quickly as some thought he should do. Evans, however, was better able to grasp the situation than some of his critics. Some twenty minutes had passed before Cornell handled the ball, but the visiting attack was short-lived, and shortly afterwards Spalton scored Hampstead's second goal.

Nothing further of a tangible character occurred before the interval, though there were good attempts by Spalton, Evans and Breagan.

Soon after changing ends Spalton found the net with a head shot from a beautiful pass by Breagan - one of many - from the touchline. Spalton would have sadly blotted his copy-book had he missed converting. Gillett was more fortunate in saving from the same source later, an effort which earned for him a rousing cheer. Now and again Northampton managed to get into Hampstead's half, and from a corner there was a possibility of doing something effective, but it was positively painful to see how chances were thrown away by reckless shooting.

From a corner kick Rowe, with a ground shot, put through well out of the goalkeeper's reach, and the next goal, the fifth, came from Evans. From a through pass by Rees, Evans raced from the centre of the field in his own inimitable way, and though Gillett attempted to smother the shot, he was not successful.

A few minutes before the end Evans scored Hampstead's sixth goal, the ball going into the net off a post. This was again a concerted effort, Bregan and Spalton having a part.

Northampton Nomads, regarded as one of the best amateur clubs in the provinces, put up a poor show, but in another respect they brought credit upon themselves, the game being entirely free from foul play. No referee could have had an easier task than did Mr. B.M. Neville, a popular official on the Hampstead ground, who lets it be known that he holds a whistle.