The long-delayed match in the first round of the A.F.A Senior Cup between Hampstead and Old Malvernians took place on the ground of Ealing Association F.C. on Saturday, and, winning by five goals to one, Hampstead qualified to meet London Welsh at Claremont Road in the second round, several matches in which have already been decided.

Hampstead have only recently been affiliated to the A.F.A., and in meeting the Old Malvernians they came across a club of which they knew very little except that in A.F.A. circles they bore a very good reputation. As they have no settled home, an attempt was made to induce them to play the match at Claremont Road, but the overtures were not successful, and therefore Hampstead had a new experience in having to play on the ground of the Ealing club.

Except that Hampstead won by a larger margin than one expected, the match was disappointing. After the recent rains the ground was in a very heavy condition, and it required men of exceptional stamina to last the full ninety minutes. Moreover, the Ealing club have not been able to keep pace with modern requirements in regard to accommodation for spectators. There is no stand on the ground, and those who have been accustomed to attend Athenian League matches which can be watched in comfort whatever may be the weather did not enjoy watching this game from the ring-side with little or no protection for the feet. The admission fee of one shillling seemed exorbitant under the circumstances, and it is not surprising that the crowd attendance was small. The return to Hampstead will not help their exchequer very much.

The game started a few minutes late, and therefore the teams did not leave the pitch at the interval.

Apparently in A.F.A. football referees are not so strict in complying with the letter of the law as those who control the class of games in which Hampstead have been accustomed. When it was found that the referee turned a deaf ear to incidents which at other times might have led to free kicks being awarded, Hampstead adapted themselves to consequences, and we saw some vigorous but nevertheless sporting football between two well-matched sides. Except for a few offside decisions, the whistle was seldom heard.

Hampstead placed their usual team in the field.

Bucci lost the toss, but Hampstead were given the advantage - no slight one - of playing down the slope in the first half. Butland had the first good opening, but shot over. An even better chance was from a centre by Bramley, but Butland, in his eagerness to score, fouled the goalkeeper.

After a time the Old Boys got going and it was evident that in the wing men they had two fine players. It is not often that Compton meets more than his match, but he was often beaten by Picton-Warlow, and on the other side Dean found an equally good forward. Happily, however, Dean was in form. He has seldom given a better exhibition. While individually the Old Boys were clever, and indeed showed good team work in midfield, there was a palpable weakness near goal, and this mainly contributed to their own undoing. Smith had one or two good shots to clear, and the way in which he handled the ball inspired confidence, but Mears at the other end had three times the amount of work. The first goal for Hampstead came at the end of fifteen minutes, Buchanan (who was a glutton for work), from a centre from Lloyd, beating Mears with a terrific shot.

Nothing of an eventful character happened during the next quarter-of-an-hour. Hampstead were definitely on top, but could not get through a good defence. It was left to Evans, none the worse for a rest the previous week, to get the second goal from a through pass by Bucci, who was an outstanding man on the visiting side. At the interval Hampstead led by two goals to none, and in view of the ground advantage which they had held, it looked as if they might have to fight hard to keep in front.

Early in the second half, after Hampstead had had a fair share of the play, Topping scored for the Old Boys, Smith being powerless to save, and this served as a tonic to the Malvernians, who, encouraged by some vocal support, gave a dashing exhibition. But, happily, by this time Compton had ot the measure of his opponents, and thwarted their efforts time after time, while Dean continued to play at top form. Despite the heavy ground, and the fact that they were playing up hill, the Hampstead players exhibited fine staying powers and when Evans scored a third goal Hampstead seemed fairly safe. Mears just touched the ball as Evans drove it in the net.

A score of 3-1 would have been a fair representation of the play, but in the closing stages Bramley, who has justified his retention in the team, scored twice. On the first occasion the ball struck the upright before entering the net, and the fifth goal was as good as any of the six.

There was quite a good representation of Hampstead's supporters at the match, and the result afforded them much satisfaction. With a little fortune in the draw the Hampstead team, on current form, have a good chance of winning the trophy, the holders (Cambridge Town) having already been beaten.

Should Hampstead beat London Welsh at Claremont Road in the next round, they will entertain either St. Albans or Northampton Nomads in the third round.