From the Hendon & Finchley Times, 3 September 1926 :

Hampstead were unable to send a strong team to Southall on Saturday, when they played their first match of the season, in the Athenian League. The fact that several of their regular players were absent largely accounted for their defeat by 4 goals to 0. There were four or five new men, who were really on trial, and two reserves in the team. Of the former the wings, Brandom and Sear, Burwood at back, and Allen in goal, showed that they were worth their place in the side. Many supporters lamented the fact that Hampstead had lost their late custodian, E.F. Goodwin, to Barnet, but if Allen retains the form shown on Saturday the departure of the old Guardsman will not be severely felt. Hampstead's weakness lay in the half-back line; both Dimmock and Little, who filled the place of McQueen as the result of a last-minute change, were reserves. This threw a great deal of extra work on the backs, who played a splendid game. The forwards were energetic enough, and individually did quite well, but they were not used to each other's play, and combination suffered.

Southall were practically at full strength, and had all the chances in their favour. The weather, which was more suited to cricket than football, tried the staying powers of the players, who almost all showed signs of fatigue towards the end of the game. There were two very unfortunate incidents from the Hampstead point of view, the missing of a penalty by Rowe, and the scoring of a goal for the other side by Wardlaw, who was charged at the goalmouth and had the bad luck to head the ball into the net.

Hampstead won the toss, and had a slight breeze in their favour. A good left wing movement took them near the goal, but the excellent defence prevented any approach to a score. Brandom had several short, bright runs, but was on each occasion foiled by the Southall backs. The first goal went to Alford, Southall's clever centre-forward, who headed in smartly. Hampstead resumed the attack, Rowe passing out to Sear, who swung the ball to the left wing and Brandom came near to scoring; but the goalkeeper saved the situation. The Hampstead goal was heavily bombarded, and Burwood had to tackle several men in succession. Southall eventually got through, Rice heading in from a pass. Allen was kept busy in goal, and made splendid saves. Half-time saw Hampstead two goals down.

Southall took up the attack, and a shot that skimmed over the crossbar was followed by one that glanced off the post. The first corner of the game went to Hampstead and was taken by Brandom, who made a fine kick; but the backs cleared easily. Brandom being tripped in the goalmouth gave Rowe the opportunity to score from the penalty kick: he misjudged, and the ball went outside the posts. Three consecutive corners went to Hampstead, who came near to scoring. Close play round the visitors' goal led to a goal by Wardlaw, at left-half, for the other side. After Southall had gained their fourth goal, which was scored by Rice, the play became uninteresting, both teams appearing fatigued by the heat.
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From the West Middlesex Gazette, 4 September 1926 (including teams) :

Southall opened the season in fine style on Saturday, when they defeated Hampstead at Western-road by 4-0. In spite of the hot weather, the game was well contested, and a large crowd was treated to some excellent football. The home forwards displayed brilliant form and were so much better than the visitors that had all the chances materialised the score would have been much heavier.

There were four changes in the home attack, and the new players all did well and proved a clever combination. Alford, without reaching his best as a leader, made some characteristic dashes and was unfortunate with some hot shots, while both wings were particularly strong. McKinley, who came in for Sullivan at outside right, was a pleasing winger, ...

[here there is a gap of five or six lines which are unreadable on the British Newspaper Archive copy due to shadow etc. caused by a fold across the page in the printed original.]

... Payne was a smart and [?] winger, who had an able colleague in Rice, a clever young player with an ability to use his feet and head with equal adroitness. On its first showing the new forward line was a distinct improvement on last season's, and with Webb, a new back, making a very reliable partner to Buttery in a resolute defence, Southall has an extremely well-balanced team that should have a successful season.

Southall had the best of the game throughout, though Hampstead were always keen tryers and Holding had to display alertness in dealing with some dangerous attacks. But he had far less to do than Allen, the new Hampstead goalkeeper, who was frequently in demand and got through a deal of work with credit. Southall opened the scoring after ten minutes, Alford with his head deflecting out of the goalkeeper's hands a centre from Payne, and thirteen minutes later Rice headed a beautiful goal from a centre by McKinley. In the second half, after Rowe had shot wide from a penalty for Hampstead, the visitors' goal had several narrow escapes, Alford twice hitting the upright, before Burwood headed through his own goal to increase Southall's lead, Rice adding the fourth with a cool shot six minutes from the end. Result: Southall, 4 ; Hampstead, 0.