There was a distinct end-of-season air about the Athenian League game between Finchley and Hampstead on Saturday. Hampstead played as if they had nothing to win and nothing to lose, as indeed was the case. Finchley pressed hard, but their forwards were very poor near goal, and they did not give one the impression of a team fighting for their place in the League. Hampstead's forwards did not show up very well when within shooting range. They passed and re-passed the ball across the goal, and when shooting was unavoidable their efforts were often wide of the mark. It seemed as if the result would be a goalless draw, but ten minutes from the end Bush, with a clever individual effort, scored the only goal with a good shot.

The defensive play on both sides was the chief feature of a colourless game. Shorland was always to the fore, and frequently stopped the Finchley forwards. Smith had one or two good shots to save, but as a rule the shots that reached him were from long range and lacked power, so that he had little trouble in dealing with them.

Wicking played well for Finchley, and was the better back, because Robinson was inclined to be erratic. Cutbush made a couple of thrilling saves, but he had long periods of idleness.

Both sides made changes. As indicated Finchley brough Cutbush back into goal, Wicking resumed at right-back, Baxter went to centre-half, Gibson moved over to left-half, and Horobin played at right-half. J.J. Williams took up the centre-forward position, and C. Garrett partnered Deeks on the right wing.

Hampstead moved Wilton up to centre-forward from full-back, and Gardner, who had been chosen to play in that position, went on to the right wing in place of Sherman, who did not play. F. Dean came in at left-back.

The opening play was even, but Finchley soon took up the attack, and from Howell's centre Deeks headed wide, and shortly afterwards Smith saved well from Williams. At the other end Butland missed a good chance for Hampstead when well placed. There was an exciting moment round the Hampstead goal when Smith was lying on the ground out of his goal after Wiiliams had beaten him in a tackle. The ball went to Deeks, whose shot was headed clear by Johnson. After clever work Bush put in a useful shot, and Smith could only punch away without properly clearing the ball, which went to Williams, but Smith made a fine recovery and effected a smart clearance.

Finchley continued to have most of the game, and when Smith missed a centre from Deeks the Hampstead goal was endangered. However, the ball hit Williams and passed harmlessly outside.

Hampstead often broke away, and their dashes were full of danger. On one occasion Cutbush had to leave his goal and throw himself at Wilton's feet as the centre-forward broke through. It was a daring save. During another Hampstead rush Moore was left unmarked, and from his centre Gardner shot well, but Cutbush saved.

There was a difference of opinion over a free kick which the referee wrongly awarded to Hampstead, and Shorland, who took the kick, deliberately put the ball into touch. The crowd were not slow to appreciate his sporting action.

At the interval neither side had scored. There was a little delay in restarting the game because the Graf Zeppelin flew over Finchley, and all eyes were turned skywards for some minutes. It was one of the brightest interludes of the afternoon.

In the second half Finchley kept up the pressure, but did not trouble Smith, and when Hampstead broke away again Moore hit the Finchley cross-bar with a good effort. Hampstead had several chances but the shooting was poor. From a free kick Deeks put in a ground shot which Smith saved, and then brilliantly cleared when tackled by the Finchley forwards. Bush, by clever work, made a fine opening for Deeks, but the winger failed through hesitating.

Although Finchley had had most of the game, Hampstead nearly scored first when Wilton got through and had only Cutbush to beat. The goal-keeper ran out and managed to touch the ball away, and it was eventually cleared. Johnson was allowed to have a clear run through, but Cutbush brilliantly cleared his shot. At the other end Howell was given an open goal from a pass by Williams, but after running close in his foot struck the turf as he shot and the ball rolled gently towards Smith.

Bush scored for Finchley after a clever piece of individualism, and then Howell was given another open goal but the ball hit the top of the cross-bar and went outside. Williams also missed a good chance.

Hampstead pressed hard after Finchley's goal, but Cutbush made another daring save from Walsh. No further goals were scored. Result: Finchley 1, Hampstead 0.

The Finchley forwards lacked penetrating power. Possibly the lack of a proper centre-forward had something to do with it, for that is not Williams's position. He did not get a great deal of support, it is true. The wings were distinctly off form. Deeks was beautifully fed by Garrett, but he made poor use of his opportunities. The same may be said of Howell. The half-backs were a fairly useful line as far as destructive work went, but their placing was poor. Gibson played a good spoiling game, and Horobin showed powers of recovery, but he left Moore unmarked too much. Garrett and Bush both displayed craft and cleverness, but they had no support.

As Hampstead were not really going all out it is perhaps not quite fair to criticise individuals. The half-back line showed up well, and Corsby played better than he did against Barnet. Gardner and Moore almost had a field day, and although they worked many openings nothing came of them. Gardner, as usual, was very clever.

The attendance was disappointing.