After averting defeat on their own ground since they were beaten by Southall in the F.A. Cup as far back as the first week in October, Hampstead lost to Hitchin Town on Saturday by two goals to none in the fourth round of the A.F.A. Senior Cup. They had previously beaten Old Malvernians, London Welsh and St. Albans City in the competition, and with choice of ground it was hoped that they would progress still further at the expense of Hitchin Town, despite some notable performances by the Herts club in cup games this season. But it was not to be. A shocking display by Hampstead's front line, of which Evans alone emerged with any degree of credit, and weakness on the part of Smith, in goal, led to their defeat.

While we do not wish to minimise the value of Hitchin's victory, they were indeed fortunate in finding Hampstead with a depleted team. The visitors were a capable side, but had Hampstead not been compelled to make radical changes in the team, it is doubtful if they would have won. Compton (who played for the Arsenal for the first time as a professional on Monday) had, of course, to be replaced at left-back; but a loss equally great, if not greater, was the absence of Dean at right-back through gland trouble, although he was able to watch the game from the stand. His withdrawal at the eleventh hour caused the team to be almost entirely reconstituted. Bucci played at left-back, with Elwell (from the Reserves) as his partner; Butland, who has been playing in the front line, went to left-half, Edwards filling the gap among the forwards.

Bramley, the outside-left, was unfit owing to an injury the previous week, and he was replaced by Morton, who has long been absent from the first team. It was also thought well to include Potter instead of Eagles at outside-right. Thus a very unfamiliar front line took the field, and unfortunately there was not the improvement hoped for. In the early stages there were indications that goals would result by the infusion of fresh blood, but as time went on the line got weaker and weaker. Sympathy went out to Evans, whose opportunities were few. Very little help came from his colleagues, and in sheer desperation he wandered from wing to wing to get the ball for himself. There were times when he was even taking the throw-in. Hitchin's defenders, knowing his worth, took care to prevent him getting within shooting distance; as for the other forwards, they made no impression whatever, and gave little trouble to the defence.

There was no better player on Hampstead's side than "Joe" Bloxham at right-half. He improves weekly, and if the Hampstead selection committee could find forwards as easily as they can half-backs their task would be easy. Rees, at centre-half, also played well, even though he was not quite at his best. Another success was Elwell, at right-back. He opened somewhat shakily, but improved wonderfully as the game advanced, and it was not due to weakness on his part that defeat came. He was pretty sure in his kicking.

Bucci, who is ready to play wherever circumstances demand, did remarkable work, but we prefer to see him at half. Towards the end of the game, finding that the position was getting hopeless, he took Buchanan's place at inside-right. This had the effect of putting life into the attack, but the effort came too late.

Smith had an unhappy afternoon. He had far more work to do than Cannon, the Hitchin goalkeeper who has appeared in fifty consecutive County matches for Hertfordshire, but while he save a number of good shots, he was not free from blame each time Hitchin scored. The first goal came after twenty-five minutes' play, when Armitage, taking up a long pass from Pateman, netted with a soft shot. The other was obtained by Walker with a great first-time shot nine minutes after the change-over. Smith in this case tried to punch the ball out instead of catching it.

The strong wind was a great handicap to good play. Hitchin benefited by it in the first half. Hampstead, however, played surprisingly well in the early stages, the combination of Butland, Morton and Edwards giving hopes of great things, but there was a tendency to carry the short passing game to extremes. Embroidery work did not pay against a side like Hitchin. The first corner fell to Hampstead, but from the place kick Buchanan sent by. Hitchin looked to have a chance of scoring when Tasker, at inside-left, headed by; and French, who came into the visiting team at outside-left in place of Dunkley, put in a wonderfully good shot which struck the side of the net.

Adopting the long passing game, Hitchin improved while Hampstead fell away, and at the end of twenty-five minutes Armitage opened their account, although, as we have already said, it was not the kind of goal that Smith in his usual form would have allowed to score.

Occasionally Hampstead threatened trouble, and one of the best shots was made by Potter, who might have been of more value if Buchanan had been more accurate in his passes.

Taking everything into consideration, Hampstead had reason to be satisfied that they were only one goal behind at the interval.

Hampstead opened the second half fairly well, but Butland lost an opportunity of equalising when, well-placed, he shot over. Such chances did not often come, and it was disappointing to see this one wasted.

Walker then got Hitchin's second goal, and this was the death-knell of Hampstead's hopes. Never did there seem any hope of leeway being made up. A claim for a penalty kick for hands against Hitchin was ignored by the referee, who may have been correct in this instance, although some of his decisions were questionable. It was not a case of favouring one side or the other.

From a free kick taken from a foul on Butland, Cannon made a good clearance, but the type of shot sent in by Hampstead made goalkeeping to such a veteran player child's work. He cleverly tipped a shot from Butland over the bar, and Buchanan made one good effort, but it was practically the only instance in which he was anything like deadly in shooting. Buchanan took the place of Bucci at back in the closing stages, but although the presence of the captain in the firing line brought about some excitement, the Hitchin defence prevailed.

The number paying at the gate was 2,845.