Hampstead won their replayed A.F.A. Cup-tie with Cambridge Town on Saturday at Claremont Road by four goals to one, and thus earned the right to meet St. Albans City in the semi-final on neutral ground. Last season Hampstead threw St. Albans out of the competition by winning 2-1 at Cricklewood, but fell in the following week, on the same ground, to Hitchin Town, who won the trophy. Hitchin are not competing this year.

A crowd of about 1,500 watched Saturday's game, a surprisingly good number considering the conditions. Had the weather been fine 3,000 could have been expected. Many football grounds were unplayable, but things were not too bad at Cricklewood, although several men on either side were dead beat at the end.

On the whole the football was good - much cleaner than at Cambridge. The visitors played in robust style, but found themselves up against a much better balanced side, and although they played pluckily, they were quite outclassed in the closing stages.

There were two changes in each team. Hampstead's were in the forward line, Evans and Knott giving place to Broadis and Porrett. In the visiting side Geary replaced Stearne at left-back, and Wordingham came in at left-half for Culpin. Mr. C.J. Kimber was again referee.

We should like to say at once that the two reserves in the home team did creditable work. The ground was in that condition which would have well suited Evans's play. He revels in the mud, and had he been in good condition he might have done better than Broadis, some of whose shots lacked power. But he knew the value of ball distribution, and as he scored a fine goal he can feel that he did not let down his side. Porrett made a good substitute for Knott. He combined well with Spalton, and though in the first half he scarcely made full use of his opportunities, the change of ends revealed him in a much stronger light. He has good ball control, he is speedy, and he put across many good centres.

It is well when one can attribute success to good all-round play. It is so in this case. Naturally there are one or two who deserve special mention. Of the forwards we liked Spalton most, although he was run closely by the right wing pair. Breagan was in his element in the second half, and led his opponents a merry dance.

It is seldom that we have to speak in other than flattering terms of the half-backs. We can only repeat what we have said on many occasions this season ; that Bloxham, Rees and Bucci were a formidable trio, not only as defenders, but in constructive work. We doubt if there is another line in the Athenian League to equal them. Hampstead were also served well at back and in goal, Richardson once again proving a great asset.

Cambridge were not weakened by the changes, Geary doing well at back, and Barker was the most dangerous forward. They played a good open game, relying largely upon the wing men, but their finishing was often weak. Hampstead were fortunate in losing only one goal in view of the many opportunities that came to Cambridge.

Guided by experience, and maybe influenced by the kindly criticism that has been offered him, Dean, the home captain, took advantage of winning the toss by playing with the wind in the first half. Within three minutes Hampstead had scored through Rowe, Broadis and Breagan sharing the hoonours.

Broadis was within an ace of getting another with his head, and Bucci gave Clements a grand shot which was cleverly dealt with. The goalkeeper, however, was well beaten at the end of ten minutes' play, when Rees, taking a free kick about 20 yards out, sent the ball into the net without another player touching it.

Until this time the Cambridge men had been entirely on the defence, and a runaway victory for Hampstead seemed the only possible end. Gradually, however, the visitors settled down, their first good effort coming from French. Midway through the half they reduced the lead through Barker following commendable work on the right wing.

There was no more scoring in this half. Although Hampstead did most of the attacking Clements defended splendidly, and the backs got through a gruelling time with credit. Just before the change-over Bloxham saved a certain goal, Smith being out of position, but if they were fortunate then Cambridge were lucky when Rowe just failed to head into goal from a free kick taken by Bloxham.

Having regard to the fact that the wind had been in their favour and that they had established an early lead, Hampstead could not feel entirely satisfied with the interval score of 2-1, although their play inspired confidence.

Play had been in progress seven minutes after changing ends when a strong attack by Hampstead led to Broadis scoring their third goal, and this practically settled the issue, because the heavy ground seemed to affect Cambridge much more than the home players. Clements was kept busy, Spalton playing a particularly skilful game. He was responsible for the fourth goal from Rowe's centre, though Breagan, who was in top form this half, must be given credit for initiating the movement. Just prior to this goal Smith had dealt cleverly with a free kick taken by Defago, the Swiss player. Again, from a free kick taken just outside the penalty line, Bloxham's head came in useful.

There was no further scoring, and for keeping Hampstead's total down to four Cambridge have to thank their goalkeeper, who received a rousing cheer from the crowd. It was well deserved. The game was played in a much better spirit than the previous one, and while there were rather more free kicks than is usual for a match with Hampstead, the referee penalised for incidents which others would have passed unnoticed.