There were one or two stages when there must have been some uneasiness among Hampstead supporters as to the result of this F.A. Cup-tie at Claremont Road on Saturday, but in the end Hampstead won comfortably by five goals to two. The result was not so decisive as that of the match on the same ground two years ago. Bicester then went under by 8-2. This season they have a useful side, and provided a most interesting game.

Unfortunately the rain which started at one o'clock and continued more or less heavily for two or three hours kept the gate down to small dimensions. There were less than a thousand present : a disappointing figure for a cup-tie. Those present, however, saw excellent football despite the slippery state of the ground.

The game was remarkable for some clever footwork by the Hampstead forwards. That they scored no more than five goals was due partly to poor finishing, but more particularly to the brilliancy of Harris, the Bicester goalkeeper, who, like Redhill's goalkeeper seven days earlier, was loudly cheered at the end.

Hampstead soon gave evidence that they were the superior team. The first important movement was from Evans, who, however, could do no more than force a corner. Spalton soon followed with a fine shot, and it may be said at once that there was no cleverer footballer on the field. His shots were well directed, but some lacked power.

Now and again Bicester forwards got away, but not near enough to cause anxiety. The first goal came at the end of fifteen minutes, Bucci giving Evans a chance which he promptly accepted. Shortly afterwards Bicester equalised, though luckily. Richardson passed the ball back, and Smith, slipping on the greasy ground, failed to prevent it rolling slowly over the goal-line.

This stroke of good fortune encouraged Bicester immensely, and there were periods when they played really good football. The defence, however, seemed unable to cope with the craftiness of the Hampstead forwards, and by the end of half-an-hour Evans had scored two more goals, thus completing his hat trick. Cousins replied for Bicester, who must have thought themselves lucky to be but one goal down at the interval.

The second half's play was largely in favour of Hampstead. It was during this period that Harris served Bicester so well, one of his saves being from a penalty kick taken by Dean. Hampstead unheeded the whistle after it had been blown for an infringement by Bicester in the penalty area, and netted. The referee naturally disallowed a goal. It would have been a stroke of bad fortune had the incident led to their defeat or even allowed Bicester to draw.

Two goals by Rowe, however, settled Bicester's aspirations, and it was freely acknowledged at the close that Hampstead well deserved their victory by five goals to two.

Rowe and Spalton, who had been off colour the previous Saturday, were on top form, and Evans, after scoring three times, was content to give them chances to net the ball. Excellent work was done by the wingers. Bucci, at left-half, was strong both in attack and defence. Richardson, happily recovered from a slight injury, was disconcerted for a few minutes after scoring Bicester's first goal, but later kicked splendidly.