With a slightly different team to that which beat Hendon Town by three goals to two (after extra time) in the Middlesex Senior Cup at Hendon early in the season, Lyons lost to Hampstead by seven goals to one in the same competition at Claremont Road on Saturday, before an attendance of about 1,300.

It was not a very satisfying game. The visitors, who have put up some fine performances this season, were good in midfield, but their shooting was mediocre, and although they managed to keep Hampstead from scoring for nearly twenty minutes, there was never much doubt about the result. Hampstead led at the interval by 3-0. Eighteen minutes after change of ends Lyons scored through Bridges at inside right, but afterwards Hampstead did pretty much as they pleased, and how the game ran in their favour may be gathered from the fact that Smith, the home goalkeeper, found time to scan an evening paper for football results.

The match was a veritable triumph for Evans, Hampstead's centre-forward, who scored five goals, Morton and Moore being responsible for the others. In the last six matches Evans has got 15 goals, and while credit must be given to his colleagues, it can be seen that at the moment he is a great asset to the side. We have to go back a long time in the history of the club to find a centre-forward so consistent.

Minton apparently came into the team st the last moment, as he was without a club shirt, and the similarity of his dress with that of the linesman caused some confusion. He was quite a useful player, however, and most of the danger came from his wing.

Early impression led one to look for a close game. Lyons sustained the firm's reputation for nippiness, and they should have scored an early goal but for a ghastly failure by Beadon, who spoilt much good work by weak shooting. Walsh skimmed the bar, and it may be said at once that while he did not score he must be credited with some of the best shots. Evans was unlucky in handling the ball as he looked to be going through, and there were other times when the sun seemed to be a great handicap to him. One does not often find him standing still wondering where the ball is.

Hampstead's first goal came at the end of 18 minutes. It might be described as of the lucky type. Morton, who was playing very well, centred from a difficult angle, and it looked as though the ball went direct into the net, but inquiries elicited that Evans had scored. Morton, however, got the second goal nine minutes later, Gardner having run out, and Evans scored with a beautiful shot following a demonstration of clever footwork by Walsh.

With a three-goals lead at half-time, Hampstead had little to fear, but although they put on a great deal of pressure after changing ends they failed to make an impression on the visiting defence. For a time Mead and Bucci changed places, the latter not being particularly effective in the forward line, and Mead needing attention from the man with the sponge, but before long they reverted to their original places. Lyons, who never gave up trying, met with reward through Bridges, and their work certainly deserved this goal. After that they faded out of the picture. Evans, showing remarkably good judgment, and refusing to be hustled off the ball, ran through to restore the balance, and Moore made the score 5-1 by heading through from a remarkably good pass from Evans. He had so positioned himself that he could hardly fail to score. After Mead had missed the easiest of chances, Evans got another goal from a centre by Moore, and the scoring was completed by Evans following some good work by Butland, who was one of the most conspicuous players on the field. He was a veritable glutton for work, and he must have covered twice as much ground as some other players. Whether that was good for the side Butland will probably know from the coach, Mr. Wilson, who is quick to detect weak spots, and, so we are told, freely speaks his mind.

The match was of too easy a character to bring out the best in the Hampstead side, and in the next round, in which they play Enfield or Southall at Claremont Road, they wiill have a much harder task. A succession of wins, however, has given the side that little bit of confidence which they so much needed after the Welton Rovers debacle, and there seems to be no reason why they should not go further.