Despite the fact that two penalty kicks were unconverted, Hampstead beat Cheshunt by six goals to love in the Athenian League match at Claremont Road on Saturday. The heavy rainfall reduced the attendance to about 750, the majority of whom welcomed the stand accommodation.

Cheshunt have invariably found themselves near the bottom of the League table, and on their showing last Saturday are not likely to do much better this year. With the exception of the goal-keeper, who played remarkably well, and was never long idle, they were in no sense impressive, and Hampstead had a really good chance of making a double-figure score. Many chances, however, went a-begging. Some were lost owing to the condition of the ground, but Cheshunt suffered equally in this respect.

Smith, the Hampstead captain and goal-keeper, had an easy afternoon. He was not troubled seriously until near the end of the game, when Cheshunt were trying desperately for a goal, but this was denied them, although one shot which Smith tipped over the bar deserved better luck.

Hampstead have this season have had three chances to score from penalty kicks, and failed each time. Moore was unsuccessful against Bromley; in the present match Young, and then Elwell, the new back, disappointed. To lose goals in this way may possibly mean the loss of a Cup-tie or even the League championship. The greatest of footballers sometimes fail to convert penalties, but in the Hampstead club the percentage of failures seems abnormal.

With the exception that Dean was replaced at left-back by A.H. Elwell (Wilton being still unfit), Hampstead's team was unchanged from the previous week. Cheshunt tried a number of new players.

The first goal came at the end of 15 minutes, but with the chances that offered themselves Hampstead should have found the net once or twice before Moore, from a pass by Butland, defeated Hollowbrand with a good shot. Just before this success Young had missed the penalty by shooting straight into the goal-keeper's hands. Cheshunt's defence was unsound, Allen miskicking, and once Sherman seemed certain to get through. A superhuman effort by Marchant saved the situation.

Hampstead were interested in the display of Elwell, but were soon convinced that while he is not spectacular in his work, he is a sure kicker and plays with judgment. Early on he touched the ball back to Smith without apparently giving any warning of his intentions, and one would not have been surprised if the goal-keeper had been caught napping. Subsequently a better understanding developed, and Cheshunt's forwards were well held.

The visitors were clean in their methods, but there was a tendency to handle the ball in the goal-mouth. What looked to be a palpable offence was overlooked by the referee, but in view of Hampstead's inability to take advantage of penalty kicks perhaps this did not matter.

After Hampstead had opened the scoring Potter had to leave the field through an injured knee, and Butland dropped back into the half-back line. The absence of a man, though to be regretted, made no difference in the run of the play, Cheshunt being outclassed. Young got Hampstead's second goal after carefully seeking an opening, and seemed quite pleased with himself having regard to the fact that he had failed to beat Hollowbread at a much shorter range.

When Potter re-appeared, limping, he took up the outside-left position, but while not so useful as a forward as a half-back, he made some nice passes to Moore, who, however, was not so accurate in his shooting. After Elwell had followed Young's bad example by failing to net the ball from a penalty, Cheshunt must have thought luck was to be on their side. Their outside forwards, Peck and Toye, caused Smith some anxiety, a shot by the latter running right along the bar. From a corner which came soon after Smith made one of his best saves.

Evans made a fine run up the centre only to fail at the last hurdle, but before half-time Hampstead had got a substantial lead. From a pass by Evans, Walsh obtained the home side's third goal, the ball striking the upright before entering the net, and just before the referee's whistle went for a cessation Evans headed the fourth goal from a fine centre by Sherman, to whom the ball had come via Moore.

Play in the second half was by no means so interesting. Conditions were bad, and as the issue was safe Hampstead players did not unduly exert themselves. Moore improved in his shooting, but 15 minutes elapsed before there was further scoring. Then Evans atoned for a bad lapse by getting another goal, although to Johnson must be given much of the credit. He put in a stinging shot which Hollowbread, who had been repeatedly cheered for his work, failed to clear, and Evans put on the finishing touch.

The last goal came from Walsh, but here, again, honours should be shared, Moore taking a corner kick so well that the inside-right had not the slightest difficulty in scoring.

As we have said, many other chances were missed, but a victory by six clear goals was sufficient for Hampstead supporters to feel that they had had some compensation for turning out under very unpleasant conditions.

A feature of the game was Hampstead's team work, and a continuance of this should lead the club far. Outstanding players were Young and Johnson at half-back; and after Potter had been injured Butland proved that in an emergency he can play a useful game in a position other than his usual one as an inside-left forward.