Hampstead well deserved their victory by three goals to one over Barking Town at Claremont Road on Saturday. They were one down at the interval, but were much superior to the Essex men after changing ends, despite the fact that the wind was an obstacle to them. As a matter of fact, Hampstead were handicapped by the wind practically the whole time. Although many chances were missed, there was a distinct improvement on their play against Southall.

Barking were without R.E. Gibbs and J.W. Stannard, who were helping Essex to defeat Hampshire, but on the other hand, the absence of F.P. Evans, who watched the game from the stand, owing to an injured rib, was a loss to Hampstead. His place at centre-forward was filled by G. Bucci, and P.A. Rees came in at centre-half. There are few more versatile players than Bucci, and the fact that he scored one goal and had a finger in the pie when at least one of the others was obtained, indicates that in some degree Evans was not missed from the forward line; but, though Rees did very well on his first appearance in the first eleven, he was not so effective as a pivot as Bucci.

Barking scored through Jarvis at the end of twenty minutes, and by this goal they led at the interval, although Hampstead had had perhaps even more of the play than the visitors. They might have done better if more chances had been given to Morton at outside-right instead of trusting so much to Moore. Moore, who has lost some of his pace, certainly made some good efforts, but far too many shots went wide. Potter was conspicuous throughout, and it is fortunate that while there is no vacancy in the half-back line, to which he is best fitted, he should prove his worth as a forward. Walsh also did well at inside-right, although there were occasions when it seemed he might have passed to others with advantage. One of the narrowest escapes for Barking was early in the game, when Bucci just failed to get his head to the ball when it was sent over from the right wing.

Soon after the second half had opened Hampstead equalised through Morton, some excellent work by Bucci leading up to the shot that took effect, and a few minutes later Walsh gave Bucci a gem of a pass which led to Hampstead being in front. At this point the Barking defence seemed to be wavering, and one of the backs almost put through his own goal.

The result never seemed in doubt after Hampstead had got their second goal. The backs were playing splendidly, and on the few occasions that they were pressed they showed remarkable coolness. Bucci, receiving from Morton, looked to have a gilt-edged chance of running clean through and getting Hampstead's third goal, but ended up by striking the upright. However, some good work by Butland - as energetic as ever - led to Morton, who had worked his way towards the centre, snapping up a chance, the ball entering the net at a terrific pace well out of James's reach.

An injured thigh caused Dean to be off the field for a short time, Young dropping back, but the visitors were kept at bay. Just on time Smith made a magnificent save. The ball was tipped over the bar, and the resultant corner was abortive.

It was an interesting game between two teams very well matched, and but for the fact that Hampstead now have a most dependable pair of backs the result might have been 3-1 for Barking instead of against them.