By seven goals to love Hampstead, on Saturday, secured their second F.A. Cup-tie victory this season, Abingdon Town, whose first visit it was to Claremont-road, being the unfortunate club.

The Berkshire club had choice of ground, but seeing no prospect of victory whereever the match took place, they approached the Hampstead club to allow of the venue being changed. Seeing that Abingdon regard themselves fortunate in gettting a "gate" to the value of £10, they will benefit financially by their action. There were upwards of 2,000 people present at Claremont-road on Saturday, and although the number was far from being a record - many were attracted to the Finchley-Barnet tie - the Abingdon officials went back with a substantial cheque as a solatium of the heavy defeat.

The victory might not have been so pronounced had Hampstead visited Abingdon, but that they would have won we have no doubt, notwithstanding the fact that there were many points in the display of the Abingdon team that called for commendation. It is to their credit that for thirty-five minutes they had considerably more of the play, and even allowing for the fact that they had the advantage of a strong wind this was a fine performance against a club of Hampstead's standing. They had previously beaten Marlow by 5-2, but for this match suffered the loss of H. Briddon, who, we were informed, was their brainiest forward.

Hampstead had F. Sherman in the side for the first time this season, and it is not too much to say that while all the other forwards except himself found the net he had a large share in the victory. His return to the fold was warmly welcomed, and it is hoped that he has now settled down as a regular member of the side. He has undoubtedly filled a position in which in several games there has been a weakness. This was the only alteration in the Hampstead side. So long as present form is maintained, and accidents do not arise, the defence is likely to remain unchanged. When it is stated that it has been beaten four times only in six games it will be gathered what a large part it has played in maintaining an undefeated record.

The strong wind tended to detract from good football but notwithstanding the ultimate figures the game was interesting. Hampstead were mainly on defence in the first half when the elements were against them, but Abingdon did not profit from their good fortune in winning the toss. Their forward line, ably served by the halves, among whom D. Allison, at centre-half was an outstanding figure, not only by reason of his build but by his constructive work, had many chances but failed to utilise them. Quite a number of shots went far wide of the mark, F. Welch, in the centre, missing one glorious chance. The Hampstead defence was kept busy, but Smith, in goal, was equal to all demands made upon him. The value of Sherman was soon apparent, and the right wing forwards were ably backed up by Young, who is playing better than ever at right-half. On the run of the play Abingdon should have scored two or three times in the first half-hour, but when it was seen how ineffective the forwards were no doubt existed as to the result. Thirty-five minutes, however, passed before the first goal came. This was from Moore. The smart left-winger hit the post, but Sherman got possession, and sending in a fine cross-shot enabled Moore, given another chance, to find the net with a header. A minute or so later came a second goal, also from Sherman's pass, this being credited to Gardner.

Just on the interval Abingdon had a gilt-edged chance of reducing the arrears. From a corner kick Smith was severely tested, but brought off a fine save. The visiting forwards, however, were at fault in not fastening on the ball.

With a lead of two goals to none on crossing over Hampstead were in clover, but proceeded to put the result beyond doubt. Within six minutes their score had been doubled. The third goal emanated from a good movement by Seddon, who has established himself firmly as a left-half. From his pass Bucci headed the ball on the pate of Shearcroft, and from there the ball passed into the net. Shearcroft has his failings, but he uses his head to good effect. The next goal came from one of many good corner kicks taken by Sherman, Bucci giving the ball the required touch; and Shearcroft, with another head touch, got Hampstead's fifth goal, Seddon again performing a useful part in securing it. Abingdon played a losing game pluckily, D. Allison setting his confreres a splendid example. He has some awkward movements, but he realises the duty of a centre-half, and it must have been galling to him to find so many of his deft touches to the forwards frittered away.

With five goals in hand Hampstead did not exert themselves unduly, but the right wingers led the opposing defenders a merry dance, and it is no figure of speech to say that Sherman and Young made "rings" round them. The left wing was not idle, and Moore, who was better served by Bucci than in some previous matches, sent in a number of good shots - and some bad ones. In view of the position, however, he could afford to laugh when he sent the ball wide. The scoring was completed with two goals by Bucci. In the first case he headed the ball into the net from Sherman's corner kick, but the other came from a fine individual effort, one of the best pieces of work in the match. Showing good ball control, he refrained from passing to Shearcroft, who was lying offside, and wending his way through gave the goal-keeper no possible chance.

Hampstead can be congratulated upon securing a victory more decisive than was obtained in any other Southern F.A. Cup-tie, but too much value must not be placed upon it. We regard the win over Hayes in the earlier round of greater value. There is satisfaction, however, in knowing that the forward line shows signs of improvement. Bucci is slowly, but surely, getting into form, and while Shearcroft has not yet touched high-water mark, he has not lost the knack of snapping up opportunities which others might throw away.