Hampstead made their exit from the Amateur Cup on Saturday on the ground of Portland United, a goal scored by Matthews, the home club's centre-half, at the end of twenty minutes, deciding the issue. It was a replayed tie, the teams having played for two hours on the previous Saturday without scoring, and the fact that 210 minutes' play produced but one goal is testimony to the defences of the teams. Both are unquestionably well-served in this respect; at the same time the poverty of the scoring does not flatter the attacking lines, and we have seldom seen two consecutive games in which so many chances were missed.

The goal on Saturday did not emanate from a great shot, and Smith, the Hampstead goalkeeper, was surprised to find himself beaten. The ball was thrown in from touch to Cribb, the centre-forward, who, none too well placed, jumped over it. Matthews fastened on the ball, and with a low shot sent it into the net a few inches inside the upright.

By this goal Hampstead have lost the right to entertain Kingstonian in the next round. The promise of such an interesting and lucrative match caused the tie on Saturday to be fought with exceptional keenness, but, as was the case the previous week, keenness did not mean unsportsmanlike play, and though several players received minor injuries the best traditions of the game were upheld. The Portland crowd described the Hampstead team as one of the best and most sporting sides they had ever met.

The interest in the game was shown by the attendance, the number paying for admission (3238) being only about 120 fewer [actually 144 fewer] than the previous week. A long time before the time of the kick-off the stand was full.

Portland were able to place their full team in the field, but one change was necessary in the Hampstead side owing to Buchanan being unfit. The decision to leave him out, however, was not made until his leg had been tested on the field. J.W. Bloxham and H.W. Shearcroft travelled as reserves. The former played at left-half, Bucci taking Buchanan's place in the forward line at inside-right. This change did not materially affect the side. Bucci, by his display (he was the best forward) proved himself a most adaptable player, and after he had settled down Bloxham rendered useful service. Shearcroft was not called upon, although it was thought he might be required when it was discovered that Evans was not in the train when it left Waterloo at 8.30. He travelled later to Bournemouth, and finished the remainder of the journey of about 40 miles by motor car, the speed of which was not limited to 20 miles an hour. The Hampstead party in all numbered nearly 50, and though the result was to them disappointing, it proved to be a most enjoyable outiing.

Mr. E.J.W. Collings, of Woking, was the referee. As at Cricklewood, he showed he could keep good control without much use of the whistle. He satisfied both teams, which is saying much.

Portland's immunity from defeat at home for three years is largely attributed to the peculiarity of their ground, which has a decided slope from side to side. The curious way in which the ball curved in the absence of wind seemed unexplainable. The many occasions in which it went in a direction opposite to that intended by Hampstead was disconcerting, but we are sure they do not wish to put peculiarities of ground as an excuse for defeat. Defeat was due to the failure in accepting chances. They did not have so many openings as in the previous week, but there were sufficiennt to have brought them victory, despite an exceptional defence.

Having ground advantage in the second half, they pressed continuously, but without result. Had Lloyd not been injured (he was little more than a passenger for the last half-hour) Hampstead might have pulled through, but it must regretfully be admitted that before his injury the outside-left position was not adequately filled. It was not policy to give Lloyd so many passes (particularly when he had to kick up the slope) seeing that he was unable to do himself justice.

Portland had the choice of ends in the first half, but the early play was much in favour of Hampstead, the first dangerous movement by the home side being neatly cleared by Dean, who, throughout, demonstrated once again his resourcefulness. Corners fell to both sides, one to Portland being the result of a combined movement, and it was not long before it was shown that at Cricklewood the previous week we had not seen them at their best as an attacking force.

Offside decisions were given against Portland and then later against Evans, of Hampstead, who thus nullified some clever work by Bucci. The way in which Bucci beat an opponent time after time and then deftly touched the ball to a partner showed his versatility. Once he was fouled, but the ball was badly placed by Graves. Two of the best shots for Hampstead were sent in by Rees and Graves, who were in fine form, and with a few more like them Hillear might have been beaten. But he was too good for the milk-and-water shots which came his way. Compton, who did not find Miles an easy man to stop, did well to clear at the expense of a corner kick, and there were several occasions when his head came in useful.

The vital goal, as we have said, came at the end of 20 minutes, and this spurred Portland on immensely. Even then, however, it did not appear that Hampstead would be beaten. In midfield they were much too good for Portland, but the home backs defended stubbornly, and not often were they beaten. One of the best efforts was made by Bramley, but Hillear, taking a little risk, managed to get the ball away, a piece of work that was loudly cheered.

If Hampstead had missed chances in the first half they were even more at fault after changing ends, Butland being the first to set a bad example by heading over. It was a bad miss on his part, and no doubt affected the result.

Then came several brief stoppages for injuries, first to Bucci, then Evans did not benefit from being fouled, and limped for a time, and finally Lloyd was hurt so badly that it might have served his side better had he left the field. As it was, he failed time after time to make use of the ball when it was sent over to him.

Smith on occasions made spectacular clearances, and earned the cheers of the crowd, as did Hillear at the other end. But there was not that work for goalkeepers that might have been expected. When it was found that Hampstead could not score, and that they might as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb, it would have been good policy had Compton been allowed to shoot more frequently, as no one in the side kicks with greater force and with better direction. From one of many corner kicks Compton, with a terrific shot, almost grazed the upright. From a free kick just outside the penalty area for a foul on Lloyd came the last chance to equalise, but Bloxham sent wide.

While congratulating Portland on pulling through after being drawn away from home in the first instance, we are not convinced that they are a better side than Hampstead, who should have made sure of an entry into the next round when they were the hosts.

Failure to score in two consecutive matches would suggest that some change is necessary in the front line. Hampstead will be engaged in cup-ties for the next two or three weeks, and it is important that they should pull through against R.A.F. (Uxbridge) tomorrow and then against London Welsh, because failure would mean deprivation of home games in subsequent round of the County Cup and the Amateur F.A. competition.

The defence gives no anxiety, but goalscorers are wanted. Evans has done splendidly this season, but no club can afford to depend on one man alone.