Although at one time they held the lead and were on level terms at the interval, Hampstead were well beaten by Wealdstone in the Middlesex Charity Cup at Wealdstone on Saturday. Wealdstone, the holders of the trophy, won by six goals to three, and thus reversed the result of the F.A. Cup-tie in September. While there was not much to choose between the elevens in the first half, Wealdstone were infinitely the stronger side after change of ends, and but for a remarkably good display by Smith, in goal - a display which would have silenced some of his critics had they been present - the result would have been more emphatic.

Hampstead were without four of the regular side, while Wealdstone suffered no such handicap. Compton and Evans were playing for the Athenian League, and Buchanan and Bucci were on the injured list. At full strength, Hampstead would probably have gone further in the competition because Wealdstone did not give one the impression of being so strong as last season.

There was a gate of about 1,700, a good number of Hampstead's supporters being present. The heavy condition of the ground militated against good play. There were many mistakes, and long before the end several of the players showed signs of tiredness.

Butland captained the Hampstead side in the absence of Bucci.

In the first few minutes Champion missed two chances for Wealdstone, while Bramley sent in a nice dropping shot which deserved better fate. Bowyer opened the scoring with a penalty kick for handling at the end of eight minutes, Smith just touching the ball as it went into the net. The punishment appeared to be severe, but Hampstead's turn of luck came later, when they equalised with a penalty kick taken by Dean for the same kind of offence. This was Dean's third success with penalty kicks in three successive games. On this occasion he shot with such force that Booker was knocked over. Between these two goals Smith had saved wonderfully well several high shots from varying angles by tipping the ball over the bar. Wyatt seemed Wealdstone's smartest forward, the others missing some good chances. Bowyer, who failed badly once or twice, gave Wealdstone the lead, the ball evidently touching a defender in transit. But Hampstead were not long in getting once more on level terms. Eagles sent in a fine shot, and there was a strong opinion that in trying to save Booker crossed the line, but the referee did not view matters in that light. Bramley, however, scored what proved to be the best goal of the match from a difficult position, Booker touching the ball but failing to clear.

Bramley would probably have scored again had he not dallied in shooting, but Hooper, receiving from Butland, put Hampstead ahead for the first time. This lead, however, was not long retained, Bowyer scoring yet another goal for Wealdstone. The ball struck the foot of the post before passing into the net.

With six goals in half-an-hour spectators were getting value for money, and some envisaged a terrific total at the end. But then came a lull. For the next quarter-of-an-hour the goalkeepers were kept busy, but they defended well. The Hampstead forwards were not too impressive, and some of the best shots came from the halves, Rees and Graves.

Wealdstone had much the better of the second half, when they kicked towards the main road and after Bowyer had completed his quartette no one doubted the ultimate issue. There was some excitement when Hampstead had four successive shots at goal, and Wealdstone were somewhat lucky in escaping, the goalkeeper once or twice falling on the ball and Hampstead hesitating to touch him lest they might be penalised.

But the times Hampstead were really dangerous were few compared with the chances open to Wealdstone. Wyatt scored their fifth goal, and with the last kick of the match Hill scored, leaving Wealdstone winners by six goals to three.

The score was in keeping with the play, but while congratulating Wealdstone on their success, it may be traced to the inefficiency of the Hampstead substitutes. While Elwell was cheered for some good work, he is far too venturesome, and often the wing men opposed to him had a clear run. He and Dean did not work together at all well, and Dean himself was not too safe at the start. He played much better in the second half. Berry was a poor substitute for Bucci, and the inside forwards were not too successful.