Unfortunate in the luck of the draw, Hampstead had to visit Sutton United on Saturday in the Amateur Cup competition. Despite the fact that Sutton were Athenian League champions last year, the form shown by Hampstead in away matches this season has been so good that strong hopes were entertained that they would at least divide the spoils. The play showed that the teams were evenly matched, but Sutton, making a determined effort after being two goals down, managed to get the odd one out of seven, and thus live to fight another day.

Hampstead supporters, of whom there were many present, were naturally disappointed after the match had been seemingly won, but took defeat in a manner which showed that the spirit of sportsmanship was not lacking. An exchange of greetings between the two presidents was made, Mr. A.G. Raymond wishing Sutton further success in the Cup, and Mr. C.S. Collingwood, of Sutton, congratulating Hampstead on their magnificent effort to win the Athenian League championship, which is now held by Sutton.

The game was witnessed by a large crowd, to whom the standard of football must have been disappointing. There was no lack of excitement, Sutton people going almost delirious when what proved to be the winning goal was scored, but the ground was so heavy that the players could not do themselves justice. Despite the number of goals scored, the defences were magnificent, Webb, Hampstead's right-back, being on top form. Smith, the goal-keeper, went through a gruelling time in the second half. He thwarted the Sutton sharp-shooters time after time, but his was no enviable job, as he had to operate on a mud-pitch from which he had difficulty extricating himself. The only clean spots were in the vicinity of the corner flags.

Both sides had their strongest sides, Bryne Harris, Sutton's centre-half, having sufficiently recovered from an illness to take his place. It might be mentioned that G.H. Smith and D.E. Levy are old Hampstead players. This was the last appearance in the Hampstead team of Smy, who has registered as a professional with Tottenham Hotspur.

Smy did his side a good turn by winning the toss, the sun being a little handicap to Sutton. The opening exchanges were fairly even, Mason clearing well for Sutton, while in the next minute Smith had to handle. Offside against White stopped a good movement, and then Young came into the picture by neat head-work in the mouth of goal. After Smith had punched out from Levy, the ball was transferred to the other end, and, from a fine centre by Sherman, Shearcroft scored with his head. The shot was partly saved by Bedford, who declared that the ball had not crossed the line, but the referee decided otherwise, and later Shearcroft stated that the line had been cleared by at leat 18 inches.

A goal in the first five minutes looked promising for Hampstead, and this advantage was maintained until close on the interval. While both sides did very well in the open, opportunities near goal were wasted. Nightingale had perhaps the best opening by shooting across the mouth of goal instead of giving another a chance; and during a spell of weak kicking by Hampstead's defence Sutton should have scored. A free kick taken by Sherman for a foul on Bucci gave Moore a chance, but he shot straight into the goal-keeper's hands. From one or two corner kicks the Sutton goal was in danger, and nothing but praise can be given to Mason and Hance for their sound defence.

Smy, who was a regular forrager, put in a number of shots, but not with his usual deadliness, and while Shearcroft worked tremendously hard, he failed to make much impression. Simth saved well from Mason after a fine run on the right wing, and then Hampstead had reaon to complain of ill-luck, Moore being brought down near the penalty line when a goal seemed almost a certainty. The referee, however, was on the side of Sutton. After [G.] Smith had missed what in football parlance is called a "sitter," he atoned by getting the equaliser, the ball being headed by him onto the post and passing into the net.

For the remainder of the first half Hampstead had to defend. Webb was penalised for what seemed to be a fair shoulder charge, and Harris was wvithin an ace of scoring; while another free kick was given to Sutton through Moody handling. Smith cleared, and in another hot attack Owens came out with flying colours. The teams retired for a welcome rest with the score 1-1.

Early in the second half there were some nice movements by Hampstead, and one could have wished that their forwards had been able to operate on a lighter ground. Though handicapped, the combination was such that Sutton forwards could not fail to show admiration. Smy showed much cleverness, and it was unfortunate that much of his good work was wasted.

Then Sutton forwards improved beyond anticipations, and for a spell Hampstead were practically penned in their own half. The two Smiths were prominent, Sutton's inside-right being smart and accurate in shooting, and the goal-keeper of the same big family striving his utmost to uphold his charge. On one or two occasions he seemed beaten by the mud, but just managed to scrape the ball round the goal-posts.

The siege was at last raised, and from a pass by Moore, Shearcroft got a second goal, again with his head; while a minute or two later Hampstead got a third through Bucci, who, beating his opponents, kept the ball well under control, and with a fine shot got what was generally agreed to be the best goal of the match.

The score at this point - 3-1 in favour of Hampstead - was against the run of the play, and no one was inclined to disagree with those who asserted Hampstead were a lucky side. For a time the visitors, encouraged by two quick goals, more than held their own, and it looked as if Webb and Owens had got the Sutton forwards in subjection.

Then came one of those unexpected turns which are the charm of football. In a short spell Sutton got three goals, and then stuck to their lead with tenacity.

{G.H.] Smith reduced Hampstead's majority after his namesake had failed to get the ball far away : and this goal might not have mattered had Smy replied by utilising the best opening that had fallen to him or any other player during the match. With the goal almost at his mercy, he shot over the bar. Loud were the groans of Hampstead's supporters! White then equalised for Sutton, for whom Smith a minute later put on the winning goal. Hampstead tried hard to regain the lost ground, but the Sutton defence held out.

While congraulating Sutton on their victory - it was just about deserved - Hampstead, we venture to say, would not have returned beaten had the conditions been better. Sutton seemed much happier on the heavy ground. The luck of the draw really decided the issue, but on this ground Hampstead have not uch room for complaint, seeing that in past seasons they have invariably come first out of the hat.

Until the last twenty minutes the Hampstead defence behaved splendidly, and we must again pay tribute to the work of the half-backs. Moody played magnificently, and we are glad that a little incident towards the close did not have an unpleasant sequel. The forwards were not in a goal-scoring vein, and of the wings the right was the better, although Sherman did not get in so many good centres as usual. Bucci was as good as any forward on his side, and as we have already indicated, the goal he scored was a gem.

Sutton was also well served by the defence, and the two ex-Hampstead forwards, Smith and Levy, were by no means the least effective in attack.

The result of this match will give added interest to the two Athenian games yet to be played. If Hampstead can win full points it will be some consolation for this Cup-tie defeat, although hopes had been entertained that Hampstead would go much further in the competition.