Hampstead were distinctly unfortunate in being beaten by Leyton, the Athenian League leaders at Claremont Road on Saturday. The only goal scored was of a doubtful character. After half an hour had passed, Keeble, the Leyton centre-forward, sent in a shot. It seemed as if Smith, the Hampstead goalkeeper, threw himself on the ball and put it around the upright for a corner. The referee however signalled a goal, ruling that the ball had passed over the line before being cleared.

The decision came as a surprise to many close to goal, although some admitted that the referee was correct in his decision. Smith, who captains the Hampstead side, rushed from the goal to argue the point with the referee, but he waved him back, and after consulting the linesman refused to alter his view. Both the referee and linesman consulted were some distance from the goalmouth, and as this goal was sufficient to give Leyton the vicoty, much dissatisfaction was expressed. Many people gathered round the referee's dressing room at the close, but happily there was nothing in the nature of a hostile demonstration.

Hampstead were unfortunately deprived of the services of Johnson through knee trouble and Leyton had to make two changes in the front line.

Hampstead had the wind against them in the first half, but started promisingly, Bucci being conspicuous for good tackling and some good passes, most of which went to the left. Indeed, the larger part of the play was on the opposite side of the stand, Leyton's right wing doing a good deal of foraging. An offside decision was welcomed by Hampstead, and Young retrieved a bad miss on his part. The old fault of the Hampstead front line being unable to take advantage of opportunities was soon apparent. They did well in midfield, although there was not that cohesion which marked the Leyton side, but when it came to shooting chances were thrown away. Limbrey was up against a fine centre-half in Wright, and seldom looked like getting the mastery of him. Moore got in one or two nice centres, and, in fact, closely approached his old form, but Sherman did not have the opportunities that might have been given. Hampstead's defence, however, was very sound, and although the Leyton pair of backs have a big reputation, which is not undeserved, the work of Shortland and Wilton did not fall far short of the opposition. The Hampstead halves too, were good. Young and Bucci were on top form, and Corsby, though lacking the subtlety of his compantions, did well considering he had to face a fine wing in Hawkings and Judd.

The nature of the game may be seen from the fact that half-an-hour elapsed before the first corner kick was conceded. This fell to Leyton.

Then came some exciting incidents. From a touch by Sherman, Gardner sent in a fine shot which deserved better luck; and at the other end Judd almost grazed the crossbar. This was followed by the goal to which we have already referred, and which decided the issue.

Before the crossover a corner, well taken by Sherman, furnished a chance for Hampstead to equalise, but there was no one to snap up the opportunity. Shortland was then injured, and playing one short Hampstead had difficulty in keeping up their end, Smith making one grand save from a ground shot. Gardner also limped a good deal, but kept on the field.

In the second half very good football was shown by the Hampstead side, there being occasions when the Leyton side's defence was harassed. A curling shot by Moore almost beat Jones and then came a series of free kicks for Hampstead, granted so readily that the referee was cheered, and the suggestion made that he was doing his best to allow Hampstead to equalise Leyton's doubtful goal. But, of course, there was no question of favouritism. From one of these attacks, there was a terrific scramble in the goalmouth, and how Hampstead failed to score remains a mystery. The tension was relived by a free kick for Leyton, either for offside or for charging the goalkeeper. Leyton returned the compliment by a spell of aggressive work, and thanks are due to Corsby for a fine clearance in the goal region. A free kick against Hampstead for hands was sent sky-high, this being by no means the only instance of wild shooting by Leyton.

Hampstead then had a penalty kick, a Leyton man handling the ball but the offence did not seem intentional. To Bucci was entrusted the kick, but he shot direct at Jones, who had no difficulty in clearing. Moore has the best reputation for taking penalty kicks, and we wonder why he was not given the chance to equalise.

Hampstead continued to have a big share of the game, but the forwards never gave one the impression that they would score. Moore and Sherman seemed to have roving commissions, and both made desperate efforts to score, perhaps the best shot of the match being that by Sherman with the last kick.

Leyton must be considered lucky in taking away two points, and we imagine they will have a hard job in beating off Walthamstow Avenue and Barnet, who are pressing closely upon their heels for the Athenian League Championship.