Hampstead were well beaten [by 5-1] in their Athenian League game with Barnet on Saturday at Claremont Road. The attendance numbered 2,400. It was the biggest gate of the season, and it is a pity that Hampstead failed to give their old rivals a much closer game. Barnet were distinctly the better side, particularly during the first half, although in this period they scored but one goal.

They were stronger in most positions, but particularly in the forward line. The Barnet quintette worked with clock-like precision, they were quick on the ball, and if their shooting had been equal to their other qualities Hampstead might have had double figures registered against them. The defence had a gruelling time, even Young, the pick of the halves, having more than he could comfortably manage in coping with Barnet's left wing, Finch and MacDonald, who were splendidly supported by Martin.

This match proved a real test for the Hampstaed backs, Dean and Elwell, and despite the score against them, we think they are deserving of praise. They kick strongly and cleanly, and when their tackling has improved they will not discredit the club.

Despite the fact that he had been suffering from an injured arm, which kept him out of the previous week's Cup-tie, Smith proved wonderfully good in goal. Even if one or perhaps two of the shots might have been saved - that is a matter of opinion - there were at least a dozen occasions when he saved what promised to be goals. For the first half-hour his periods of leisure were few and exceptionally brief.

Bell came into the half-back line in place of Robinson, and showed himself to be a player of considerable promise. Mead was weak as a pivot. He was far too slow in his methods, but he must not be discouraged. He will have to face few teams as strong as Barnet, and with a little more experience should be worth his place.

What Hampstead is most in need of is a centre-forward who can not only control the front line but be capable of finding the net himself. In this match Evans stood down for Gardner, but there was no improvement, indeed, we should say Evans is the better man. Gardner showed a hesitancy in shooting: he seemed afraid to trust himself. He went to the right wing after the change of ends, where he did better work. It was from one of his fine centres that Butland was able to head the ball into the net. This was a few minutes from the end, when it looked as if the Barnet defence would not be beaten.

Walsh's work was not up to the standard of the previous game: the same might almost be said of the other forwards. The left wing was the stronger pair. Butland makes mistakes, but he is a real trier, and that counts for a good deal. No match can be uninteresting when he is on top form. Moore put across many good centres, but there was no one to snap them up. A clever centre-forward would have made all the difference to the result.

One gratifying feature was the desire of the Hampstead side to do well. They never gave up trying, and throughout there was a determination to make good any loss of strength that at the moment is apparent by forced changes in the team.

In justice to Barnet it must be said that they were not at full strength. Morris (centre-forward) and Wright (centre-half) were playing for the Southern Counties against the Northern Counties at Stamford Bridge. Richardson and Snaith were also unavailable. But Barnet have strong reserves, and from the opening there was no question as to which side would win. In Garrett and Hughes they have a pair of backs who have served them in good stead for many years, and they show no signs of falling off. Some may recall that for a short spell Hughes played for Hampstead.

Following the lead given by the Football Association, there was silence for two minutes immediately preceding the kick-off as a mark of respect for those who had lost their lives in R101. The teams, with officials, stood at attention in the centre of the field; the Last Post was sounded by members of the Child's Hill Band.

Gardner kicked off and Hampstead got the first corner from Butland, who took the ball from Sherman, but before the end of five minutes Barnet had taken the lead through Finch, who put in a long shot which Smith caught, but when he was evidently over the line.

Hampstead then realised they were up against the smartest club seen at Claremont Road this year. Barnet's backs well held the home forwards, whose attacks were spasmodic and lacked sting. The Barnet forwards, on the other hand, made sweeping rushes down the field, the ball passing from man to man in a manner which always boded danger. Finch was a dangerous customer; so, too, was Gatland, and one began to wonder how long Smith would be capable of keeping up his end. Once he fell in the goal-mouth with the ball, but managed to bring off a good save.

Of the few good shots which reached Bloyce was one from Walsh, who, however, was not showing much power, and there seemed little hope of Hampstead making any impression upon the Barnet defence, in which Garrett was conspicuous. Just before the interval Barnet looked like getting through, but Sherman stepped into the breach with a fine clearance.

Upon leaving the pitch for the interval Smith came in for an ovation. Never was it more deserved. The score of 1-0 in favour of Barnet was in no way a criterion of the run of the play, although during the closing stages Hampstead had given promise of better things to come.

Taking the field again, Walsh went to centre-forward in place of Gardner, who later migrated to outside-right. This brought about some improvement, but changes of position are indicative of weakness, and there remained a distinct weakness in Hampstead's attack.

After Butland had failed to convert a beautiful centre from Moore, Williams scored No. 2 for Barnet. He showed good ball control in working his way through the defence. Immediately afterwards Ives headed another goal from a run up and centre by Gatland, and this put the result beyond doubt. For a considerable time, however, the score remained unaltered, and hereabouts Hampstead had a fair share of the game. Sherman, in a new position, sent in some good shots and Moore was clever on the extreme left. Walsh also improved, but the experience of the Barnet defenders stood them in good stead. It was not until near the end that Bloyce was beaten, Butland heading into the net from Gardner's centre. Before this goal was obtained, however, Ives had scored his second from Gatland's centre, and MacDonald had scored Barnet's fifth with a long shot which Smith appeared to misjudge. It went into the net high up at the corner.

The game thus ended in a win for the visitors by five goals to one. In the League game last season at Claremont Road the result was a draw, which means that Hampstead are down one point.

A.G. Potter, who did good work for Hampstead at left-half in the early matches this season is entering Middlesex Hospital this Friday morning to undergo an operation for cartilege trouble. All will wish him a speedy and complete recovery.