Hampstead's entry into the A.F.A. Cup competition has at least done one thing - it has brought them up against clubs which they would not come across except in friendlies, and friendlies in these days are few and far between. So far they have had two easy victories in this cup. By five goal to one Old Malvernians were beaten at Ealing; and on Saturday, at Claremont Road, London Welsh were defeated by six goals to one. The margin in favour of Hampstead did not exaggerate their superiority. The wonder is that more goals were not scored. But there are stiffer fights in front of them. In the next round they have to meet St. Albans, who, on Saturday, after one drawn game, overwhelmed Northampton Nomads by six goals to none. Several years have elapsed between the last meeting of Hampstead and St Albans - the Hertfordshire club dropped out of the Athenian League at the end of season 1922-23 - and the A.F.A. Cup-tie at Claremont Road promises to be one of the tit-bits of the season. The winning team will entertain Hitchin Town in the following round.

Although the strength of London Welsh was unknown, there was quite a good crowd to witness the match, but the play was much too one-sided for people to get thrilled. But there was much to amuse them. A good goal by Hampstead in the first two minutes was enough to put the Welshmen off their balance, and though now and again they gave glimpses that they had some knowledge of football, there was never any danger of Hampstead having to fight hard. The home defence was far too good for the Welsh forwards, and Smith, in goal, has never had an easier afternoon. On the other hand the Hampstead forwards at times scintillated, and nothing was more pleasing than the work of the extreme wingers, Eagles and Bramley.

A fine shot by Eagles led to the first corner kick, and taking this himself, he placed the ball in such a position that Evans had not the slightest difficulty in heading through. It was a good goal, but the second one - at the end of 20 minutes - was much more spectacular. Bucci sent across to Bramley, who, without hesitation, rammed the ball home from long range.

London Welsh played pluckily, but seldom could they pass Dean and Compton, both of whom tackled well and kicked strongly. Lewis, the Welsh goalkeeper, was never long idle. He dealt cleverly with many shots, one of the best being from Bucci. There was a fine understanding between the home players, passes reaching the men they were intended for, whereas the visitors were disjointed, and even when they got near goal were not too accurate in shooting.

Evans got Hampstead's third goal very neatly when the ball looked as if it would go out of play, and was within an ace of scoring another from a beautiful pass by Compton. The way Compton put the ball to the forwards was a feature of the match. Bramley got hurt, but within a few minutes he returned to take part in the scoring of the fourth goal. Fine tackling by Bloxham brought the ball to Bramley, who deftly touched it to Butland, and this very energetic young man, who has not been too lucky in his markmanship in the last few matches, found the net, to the delight of the crowd, with whom he is a great favourite.

The play in the second half needs little comment. It was even more in Hampstead's favour than before, the Welshmen finding it difficult to get over the half-way line. But goals did not come so rapidly, twenty minutes passing before Hampstead added to thir total through Evans with a nice cross-shot.

In a breakaway Bush scored for London Welsh and no one begrudged them a goal, for though they were outplayed, they persevered, and showed that they played football for the love of the game. Their goalkeeper was hurt, and though he did not leave the field he had to depend almost entirely on his hands to save shots. We are inclined to think that Hampstead did not wish to take advantage of his disability. However, just on time Bramley got another goal, the result being : Hampstead 6 ; London Welsh 1.