Hampstead, for the first time this season, failed to score on Saturday. Barnet, playing at home, scored four times, and thus Hampstead made an inglorious exit from the F.A. Amateur Cup.

Hopes ran high that this season Hampstead would go far in the competition, and though it was recognised that with Barnet as opponents it would not be an easy matter to enter the second round of the competition proper (both have been excused the qualifying rounds), never before had the Hampstead players visited the Barnet ground with greater confidence than they did on Saturday. They had not been beaten since the middle of October, Barnet being numbered among their victims.

But though changes in the team were few, the tables were completely turned. Barnet well deserved their win, as did Hampstead on the previous occasion, but in neither match should the result have been so decisive.

Barnet on Saturday played a much faster game than Hampstead. Though winning the toss, Jones, the home captain, chose to play against a strong wind in the first half. During that period Barnet scored once, through Morris, so that the position looked rather hopeless for Hampstead. In the second "45" Barnet scored three goals (two by Richardson and another by Morris) without reply, and if play had run another hour we doubt whether Hampstead even then would have scored. Rowe was the pick of a poor line of forwards. There were no outstanding players on the Hampstead side. Bloxham, Bucci and Dean were the pick of the basket. Bloxham had to face Finch, the finest forward on the field, and came out of the ordeal with considerable credit.

The gate was disappointing. The takings, we understand, were well under £100. Until a few minutes from the start the field seemed rather bare, although most of the seats in the stand were occupied. The comparatively small attendance must be attributed to the early kick-off (it was timed for 2.15, but was 12 minutes late) and the bitterly cold afternoon. When Barnet had secured a substantial lead hundreds left the field for a warmer spot.

Hampstead were on the field most promptly, and spent some time in potting at goal. But there were no signs of the officials or Barnet players, and in view of the bitterly cold wind Trainer Wilson wisely recalled the Hampstead men back to the dressing room. When the home side, followed by the officials, came into view there was ironical cheering.

Playing with the wind through the good offices of the Barnet captain, who had choice of ends, Hampstead started in most promising manner. Hughes and Garrett appeared none too safe, and the latter gave Evans a great opportunity, but he shot over the bar. A little later he repeated the performance. Others made good attempts.

Bloxham was keeping Finch well in subjection, but he might have made better use of his passes. Breagan had few opportunities. Knott, on the other wing, had many chances, but failed to use them. One of the best followed a miskick by Hughes. This left Knott with no one but Jones to beat, but he shot sky-high. Spalton, Knott's partner, gave Jones a real teaser, but such shots were few.

Of the Barnet forwards Pullen seemed the most dangerous man, and he must have felt he was badly served when he saw several of his centres go right across the goalmouth. Pullen kept Richardson very busy.

Considering the chances that came to both teams, it was surprising that no goals were scored until near the interval. Then, from a free kick just outside the penalty line, taken by Martin, Morris, with his back to the goal, found the net. It was the work of an expert.

There was a strong concensus of opinion that the free kick should not have been allowed. Much graver offences had been allowed to pass unnoticed.

Both Evans and Knott were in turn injured, but fortunately were able to resume after treatment. In the case of Evans, there was one occasion when he seemed to be rather badly treated by an opponent.

Desperate efforts were made by Hampstead to equalise while they had the benefit of the wind, but the Barnet goal bore a charmed life.

During the interval some of the Hampstead players expressed the opinion that playing with the wind was not an unmixed blessing, and on the restart it certainly seemed that this was true. Hampstead had quite a fair share of the play, but the forwards allowed Hughes and Garrett too much room. There was a strong claim for hands against Barnet in the penalty area, but the referee would not allow it.

At the end of thirteen minutes Richardson scored for Barnet, and Morris was within an ace of getting their third. At the other end a fine shot by Rowe was well saved by Jones, but this attack was but a flash in the pan, and when, exactly midway through this half, Richardson again found the net, it was realised that Hampstead were hopelessly beaten.

Several free kicks fell to the visiting side, but poor use was made of them. Just before the end Morris scored the fourth goal for Barnet.

Barnet were distinctly the better side on the day's play, but from beginning to the end everything seemed to go in their favour. The reverse might be said of their previous match when Hampstead won by three goals to none.

It was felt that a good deal would depend on how the Barnet backs behaved. It must be said at once that Hughes and Garrett, both old in the service of the Barnet club, compared very favourably with the Hampstead pair, and though there was little to choose between the half-back lines, the Barnet forwards showed to better advantage than the Hampstead attack.

The left wing was particularly disappointing. Had Knott scored early in the game from one of the best chances that could possibly be given, the verdict might have been different.