The uncertainty of football was exemplified on Saturday at Claremont Road, Cricklewood, where Hampstead were beaten, and deservedly beaten, by Slough in the F.A. Cup by two goals to one.

Though Slough is one of the best of the Spartan League clubs, it was not expected that, playing away from home, they would be a match for Hampstead, who had the previous week beaten Barking Town in an Athenian League match by seven goals to one. On their form that day Hampstead would have defeated almost any amateur side.

We saw the reverse on Saturday in what was a more important game, inasmuch as victory would have brought Hampstead against Wycombe Wanderers in the divisional final of the preliminary competition, a match that would have drawn a large crowed either at Cricklewood or Wycombe.

The attendance on Saturday was a record for the season. Some 3,000 people were present, the takings being about £100. The proceeds are of course shared. A few such gates are necessary to keep the finances on the right side.

Both teams played as advertised. Hampstead could not put forward a plea for their defeat on the ground of representation, although Bloxham played under a handicap.

For some reason best known to himself - the decision did not commend itself to the home supporters - Dean, on winning the toss, chose to give Slough the benefit of the wind in the first half. Hampstead had a further handicap by having the sun in their faces.

Slough were not long in showing that they must not be taken lightly. Much quicker on the ball than Hampstead, whose halves were a long time getting into their stride, Slough were soon on the offensive, a hot attack ending with a fine cross-shot from Harman which almost skimmed the crossbar. Hampstead retaliated, a free kick against Slough being of no avail. J.A. Ward, at inside-left, than whom there was no better forward on the field, then came into the limelight with a good shot, this being followed by one from Harman. A tremendous amount of work was falling to Hampstead's backs, whose kicking was fairly good, but it was fortunate that Smith was on his best behaviour.

Lacking the support which invariably comes from Hampstead's halves, who were inclined to be on the defensive and none to good in that direction, the Hampstead forward line never seemed happy. Many passes went astray. Close passing methods did not pay against such a vigorous and fast-moving side as Slough, and the outside men might well have been more fully employed. Payne, Slough's centre-half, stuck to Evans like a leech, and try as he would, he could not get going. The inside forwards, Spalton in particular, were ineffective. Rowe had one excellent chance, but his shot went wide.

Thirty-five minutes had elapsed before a goal came, Morgan converting a centre from J. Ward, outside-left.

Hampstead tried hard to bring the scores level before the change of ends, their best chance coming from a free kick for hands, not far out of goal. This was taken by Bloxham, but was abortive. Dean then did well to save further disaster at the other end.

On the run of the play Slough well deserved their lead at the change-over.

Upon the game being resumed Hampstead threatened not only to recover lost ground but to forge ahead. They monopolised the play for some time, but the Slough backs defended stubbornly, and Marshall came out of many trying ordeals with flying colours. On one or two occasions it seemed that nothing could prevent a goal being scored, but luck was not on Hampstead's side. Bucci, who was late in getting into form, put in a fine shot, and then Breagan, who had not been too well fed, missed by inches.

After twenty minutes, however, from a centre by Bucci, Rowe got possession and secured the long-looked-for goal.

On level terms, it seemed that Hampstead, on the form they had been showing since the interval, had no fear of defeat, but Slough made a remarkable recovery. With Smith out of goal, they should have soon taken the lead once more, but a gilt-edged chance was lost.

There was a big battle for the winning goal, first one side and then the other attacking. To the unprejudiced onlooker it was a game full of interest, but as time went on without a goalkeeper being beaten thoughts were turning to a visit to Slough in midweek. For some time Slough were a man short, but Hampstead could not take advantage of this weakness on Slough's left wing. About five minutes from the end bad kicking in Hampstead's defence led to Morgan scoring what proved to be the winning goal.

It was suggested that Morgan was in an offside position, but there was no strong protest on the part of Hampstead, although the incident, we understand, was the subject of discussion in the dressing-room later.

In the closing minutes both sides had chances. Slough almost got through again, the ball striking the post, and Breagan was a trifle too slow in taking advantage of a left wing pass, the corner kick which followed being wasted.

Slough deseerved their victory, unexpected though it must have been. Hampstead were much below form. With the exception of Smith, no home player could feel that he had done himself justice. Those who were seeing Hampstead for the first time this season - and there must have been many - went away dissatisfied, but the players ought not to be judged on this match alone. They are capable of much better things, and at the next home match it is hoped that there will be a crowd equal in size to Saturday last.