From the Hendon & Finchley Times

On Wednesday evening, at Sutton, Hampstead Town lost an Athenian League match by two goals to none.

(part of a piece under the "Hendon Paragraphs" heading on page 7 of the 25/04/1924 edition)
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Extract from the Sutton Advertiser, 24/03/1924, p. 2
(with minor corrections if required)

With only two more matches to play and with an urgent need for a few more points to make the position of the club secure, Sutton United entered into their last home match last night (Wednesday April 23) with some trepidation. Hampstead Town were still in the running for the championship, whilst the United were still in danger of relegation. A couple of points would make them secure, and a very large crowd assembled in the Sports Ground in the hope of seeing them make a bold bid for victory. Baylis and Bond were unable to play, but Walduck and Keen were available. Hampstead were at full strength with the exception of R. Wardlaw at left-half.

Gance lost the toss and United had to face the wind and slope in the first half. This was not a severe handicap, but coupled with the skill of the visitors it meant a hard fight for them to gain the ascendancy. But they were out for victory, and it was only six minutes from the start when KEEN gave the home team the lead. He received a beautiful pass from Stafford, and tricking Field he shot low and hard on McCracken's right, the ball going into the corner of the net. Encouraged by this early success the " U's " kept up a very steady pressure from which the Town men occasionally broke away. When they did they were always dangerous, but their shooting was defective, and only once was Osborne hard pressed. Then he made a fine save with the three inside forwards well in. On the other hand the Sutton forwards, ably supported by the halves, gave the Hampstead goalkeeper a busy time. Keen missed a fine chance when he drew McCracken out and then tipped the ball over the empty goal. Shots rained in, and several times he only cleared in the nick of time. Keen was passing with skill and sound judgment and the wing men were putting in some very disturbing centres. The result was that the visitors were mainly on the defensive and had to concede three corners in the first half, which closed with Sutton leading by a goal.

Eleven minutes from the resumption KEEN got the second goal. He put in a shot to the top of the net which McCracken stopped and pulled down, but the ball was going at high speed and screwed out of his hands into the net. A moment later the same player almost got a third goal, a hard ground shot bringing McCracken to his knees, but he got the ball away. In this half the home team were attacking nearly all the time, but the defence was very strong. Keen was kicked in the face when almost through and had to retire for a short time. All the home forwards joined in the attack and they were well supported by the halves, while the backs successfully dealt with any attempts of the Town forwards to get through. During the last 20 minutes the Town goal had a very anxious time and three more flag kicks were conceded. One shot by Long hit the crossbar and fell to Hayes, who tapped it outside the post.

The defence lasted well and the game ended in a win for the U's by 2-0.

The visitors commanded respect for the way in which they combined. Their passing was of a high order and at times they were very dangerous. The backs were a fine pair and the halves were good. Howell was the pick of a fine forward line. They were a good side but were beaten by the superior speedc and dash of the home men.

Keen, who is very like Drummer Macey of the Kingstonians in his methods, was the life of the home forwards. His passes were perfect and he was always lying well on the backs and dashing through the defence. He was well supported by the men on each side of him, and the only defect was the slowness of Long at times when a quick pass would have found an opening. The halves played a great spoiling game and were too much for the visiting forwards. The backs were in capital form and cleared with sound judgment, Hance being as usual very safe and reliable, while Bennett fully justified his inclusion in the team.

Mr. B. Neville, of London, gave a pleasing exhibition of the art of refereeing, and it was curious to note that not a single case of " offside " was recorded till five minutes before the match ended. The game was pleasantly played, and there were only two minor fouls.