Upwards of 2,500 people watched the A.F.A. Cup-tie between Cambridge Town and Hampstead at Cambridge on Saturday. No goals were scored, and the match has to be replayed at Claremont Road tomorrow at 3pm.

In view of the severe weather, it was surprising to find such a good attendance on Cambridge's well-appointed ground. The stand, which holds some 900 people, was quite full, and in the centre were quite a number of Hampstead's supporters, to whom distance seems to make no difference.

Goalless draws are not popular, though the matches are often interesting. Frankly speaking, this game failed to arouse enthusiasm, and the play was not up to the standard seen in previous cup-ties. We did not regard Cambridge Town so strong as Hastings & St Leonards, who were well beaten by Hampstead in the previous round, and it can therefore be gathered that on Saturday Hampstead were quite off form. Those who emerged with credit were decidedly few. Apart from Smith, whose clean sheet is a testimonial in itself, we think only Bucci, Richardson, and in a lesser degree Bloxham and Breagan deserve mention. An injury in the first half prevented Rowe from maintaining his early form, and in the second half Knott was a passenger, lameness being again the trouble.

On the programme Hampstead were referred to as "distinguished visitors," and local opinion seemed to be that Hampstead would pull off the match. The fact that they were kept from scoring was regarded as a big achievement, but we do not fancy Cambridge will do so well in the replay. It is difficult to conceive that Hampstead forwards can for the second week in succession show up so badly.

There was some robust football, but it did not call for so many free kicks as were given for unfair play, and the referee (Mr. C.J. Kimber, the old Midland Bank goalkeeper) might well have used his whistle less frequently. It is difficult for us to recall a game when there were so many stoppages, and there was not that happy atmosphere which prevailed in previous games in the competition.

Following his usual practice, Frank Dean, the Hampstead captain, on winning the toss, gave the opposing side the benefit of the wind in the first half. And it was a real benefit! It is difficult to account for Dean's action, but perhaps he thought conditions would get worse instead of better. But, as events proved, it was not a wise move.

At the beginning, despite the handicap referred to, Hampstead looked the better team, some clever work by Rowe being noticeable. Offside spoilt a very good effort. Early on it was seen that Cambridge were a bustling side, and for an offence against Rowe they were penalised. From a pass by Breagan - he and Rowe were doing most of the attacking - Spalton had a good opening, but he failed, as he did several times later when equally good chances came his way.

Cambridge showed no better shooting form, and though as time went on they had more of the attack, they were never really dangerous. The fact that 20 minutes elapsed before the first corner was taken - it was taken by Cambridge - showed that defence was a strong feature of the game. Richardson was doing surprisingly well.

Breagan seemed to be the man most feared in the Hampstead line, and Barker, at outside-left, was the best raider for Cambridge. He had a good turn of speed, and he was well plied with passes. Evans worked hard, but with no success. He met more than his master in Flack, said to be a 16-year-old International.

With a huge kick a Cambridge defender almost beat his own goalkeeper, and Clements also had to deal with shots emanating from Breagan's corner kicks, but he was in a sound mood. The same remark applies to Smith. He had far more work to do than Clements, mainly due to the wind, and the constant kicking from goal must have imposed a heavy task.

He began to be twitted by the crowd for wasting time. Without charging him with this offence, he was certainly giving no points away. Ultimately the referee thought it wise to give him some homely advice.

Hampstead's chances were prejudiced when Rowe went lame, and though he did not leave the field he was unable to do himself justice. Knott also developed lameness, which seems to be no uncommon event, and so one can imagine the plight Hampstead were in. Nevertheless, thanks to the defence, they had a fair share of the play, although in the last ten minutes before the interval Cambridge were definitely on top.

Just on the point of retiring for a breather a corner from Cambridge's left wing was tipped over the bar by Smith for a similar kick on the right. Smith pushed the ball away, there was a hectic scramble, and Defago dahed in to let drive fro five yards' range. The ball entered the net, but it was no goal, the referee having blown his whistle for half-time after the ball had left Defago's foot but before it entered the net.

This was a stroke of real luck for Hampstead, although some who kept an eye on their watches were of opinion that the whistle should have gone two or three minutes earlier.

There was no better play in the second half. Hampstead failed to benefit by the wind, and some of their finishing was most exasperating. On occasions Knott seemed to make light of his injury when the ball came his way, but no doubt he was in pain. He was a real trier. Cambridge worked desperately hard to save a visit to Claremont Road, Barker taking the ball on the run and almost beating Smith. In the closing stages Hampstead forced several corners, but had no luck.

To forecast results of cup-ties is dangerous, but we fancy Cambridge Town have lost their chances of winning the cup this year. They were holders two or three years ago, as is evidenced by a notice in the dressing room, and Hampstead, who are competing for the second time, hope that success will come their way. It will if the forwards will only get going.