Hampstead improved on performances in recent years by winning their opening Athenian League game by two goals to one, but Uxbridge Town, who are not looked upon as front rankers, gave them a fright, and were somewhat unfortunate in losing both points. Their play was full value for a draw: not that they are an exceptional side, but because the Hampstead team had a number of weak spots, particularly in the forwards.

Of last year's players, S.J. Moore (at outside-left) was the only forward available, and but for the fact that after he had settled down he gave a good display, Hampstead would have gone under. Moore got little help from the other forwards. Something must be said in extenuation. They were all on the young side, and while evidences of cleverness were seen now and again, experience was lacking. Unfortunately competition in football is so strong that a club cannot afford to experiment too long, and some more ripened players will be necessary if the club is to maintain its reputation. Hampstead's programme for the opening month calls for a much better team than was placed in the field last Saturday. The youngsters, however, need not be discouraged, and if they do not mind having a spell in the reserve section, they may later be scoring goals galore and assisting in bringing the Athenian League championship to this locality.

The "gate", while encouraging, suffered by reason of the fact that the weather was too summer-like, and we are not surprised that many preferred taking part in playing or watching other games than patronising football. The weather must also be held responsible for the standard of play being so low. Long before the end the majority of players were feeling the effects of the heat. The ball was altogether too lively for bringing out the best work, and time and again the ball was put out of touch from the half-back line when under ordinary conditions it would have been placed at the feet of a forward.

There were no fewer than six new men in the Hampstead side, two of them, Wilton and Morton, being last year's Hendon Town players. Wilton came in at the last moment in place of G. Bucci, who had not recovered from an injury in the trial match. It was making a big call on Wilton to fill the shoes of Moody, last season's pivot, and while he was responsible for much good work in breaking up attacks, he did not place the ball to good advantage, and the forwards suffered thereby.

Uxbridge had an advantage in being able to call on most of last season's players, among whom were three old Hampstead men in Goodwin, Harris and Reinke. They were naturally anxious to do well and succeeded in putting up a good show. Reinke was equal to any forward on his side : Harris, as most Claremont-road supporters know, prefers mud to a light ground, but still proved useful : while Goodwin, although troubled less then he has been in previous matches against Hampstead, made many fine saves, and is well up to Athenian League standards.

The game at the outset ran in favour of Hampstead, Goodwin having to deal with a number of shots, though they lacked sting. Several corners were conceded by Uxbridge, but Hampstead failed to make good use of them. One of the best shots came from Young, and it was from this half-back, who has given such good service, that the first goal of the season came at the end of fifteen minutes' play. It emanated from a corner, taken by Gardner, Simmons having failed to shine with previous place kicks. Young put in a fine shot from a good distance out, and although the ball had apparently crossed the line, Moore made doubly sure that Hampstead's account had been opened.

The subsequent play until change of ends was not desperately exciting. Smith seemed to have difficulty in getting rid of the ball on several occasions, and once he was penalised for taking it over the touch-line. Later a free kick was given to Uxbridge because Smith ran too far up the field with the ball in his hands, and for a time Goodwin seemed the more effective of the goal-savers. It was some time before there was anything like unison between the Hampstead forwards, and as a line they compared unfavourably with the visiiting quintette. Moore had reason to complain of support ; seldom did he get a pass which was at all helpful. The Uxbridge right wing proved a useful pair, Reinke showing he retains a good turn of speed and good ball control. They were well fed by Harris, who just before the interval was injured, the Hampstead first-aid man going to his assistance. He resumed after a short rest amid the cheers of his old friends.

At the interval Hampstead led by one goal to love, a state of things which did not cause the home supporters to be over-confident.

Upon the change of ends we saw much better work on the Hampstead left wing, where Moore showed much of that brilliance that marked his early days with the club. Morton became more helpful as the game advanced, and seeing the ineffectiveness of the other wing, it was well that Moore was in form. A number of his centres were well on the mark, and although the kicking of the Uxbridge backs was powerful - so much so that Smith, the Hampstead goal-keeper, seemed to be filling the role of a cricketer in the long field rather than a goal-keeper - Goodwin was kept busy. The game, however, was by no means lopsided. Hampstead were fortunate in the extreme when, with Smith out of goal, Shorland headed the ball into a place of safety, a creditable piece of work ; and later on there would have been a mishap but for the timely intervention of Young.

From a free kick for hands Ashby struck the cross-bar with a fine shot, and there were several occasions when it seemed that Uxbridge must score. Thanks to the defensive work of Webb and Shorland, however, the Uxbridge forwards were denied any reward until after Hampstead had got their second goal. This came from a beautiful shot by Moore, which completely beat Goodwin. To many it seemed that the intention of Moore was to make a pass instead of endeavouring to find the net. Soon afterwards Reinke reduced the lead. There was a mild protest, as when the shot was made Seddon was lying injured near goal, but the referee was firm in his decision.

Uxbridge continued to play an enterprising game, and no surprise would have been felt had they equalised. Happily, Hampstead's defence held out.

Young, Webb and Moore were the outstanding players on the Hampstead side, but Shorland made a very useful partner to Webb, although he is seen to better advantage at right-back. Of the new men Gardner and Seddon showed promise. The greatest weakness was at outside-right : with Sherman in that spot Hampstead would probably have won with ease. Seddon has the build of a half-back, and we shall, no doubt, find him a regular player.