By the narrowest of margins - two goals to one - Hampstead made their exit from the Amateur Cup at Claremont-road on Saturday at the first time of asking. Excused the qualifying competition by reason of their excellent displays two or three seasons back, Hampstead had the good fortune to be drawn at home in the first round of the competition proper against R.N. Depot (Chatham), a team they had never before met, and there would probably have been a record crowd to see the sailor boys had the weather conditions not been so Arctic-like. It was impossible to play games on Boxing Day and on the Tuesday owing to the snow, but fortunately the playing pitch was reasonably clean on Saturday thanks to the energy displayed by the capable groundsman and a number of volunteers. The "gate," however, was of small proportions for an important match, many supporters preferring not to run the risk of an unprofitable journey. The absentees missed a good display of football, having regard to all the circumstances. Hampstead put up a good fight against a somewhat better team, and at the interval led by one goal to none. In the second half, however, the Chatham players showed much better form, and were well worth their victory.

It was soon evident that the Depot had a well-balanced team, the backs saving Aitken any anxiety, while the forwards, unlike Hampstead, played a fine open game, the extreme men being given plenty of chances. In Skinner they possessed a fast player gifted with ball control, and while some of his finishes were weak, the Hampstead goal-keeper was kept busy, while Aitken was comparatively idle. Some of Smith's saves were of the tip-top order, and while credit must be given to Shorland and Bloxham, particularly the former, for much good work, a less capable man than Hampstead's new custodian would have been beaten frequently. Shearcroft has fitted nicely into his new position of centre-half, but like many forwards who have been called upon to drop back, he could not resist taking a number of shots which went near the mark. An injury to Smith caused a little delay, but that he was not seriously hurt was evident by his after work. The first goal came after the end of half-an-hour, Shearcroft, from the right wing, sending in a fine shot to which Levy effectively applied his head. Although the Depot exercised a good deal of pressure, Hampstead retained the lead at the interval. The nature of the ground caused the forwards to make many mistakes, one of the easiest chances being missed by Blake.

As there was always a possibility of fog threatening to cause the match to be abandoned, the referee wisely decided that the teams should not retire. Immediately after the cross-over Blake, with a terrific shot, got the equalising goal, Smith having not the slightest chance of saving, and fifteen minutes from the end Skinner, running well in, got the winning goal, the ball striking the far upright and entering the net with Smith lying on the ground. Despite great efforts, Hampstead were clearly a beaten team, and they would have done better had they followed the example set by the Depot, the condition of the ground making a close-passing game of little avail.

The Depot were out for victory, and they did not seem so fearful of getting hurt by the hard ground as some of the Hampstead men. They played a game which, if repeated, should take them some distance in the competition. Some of them have played in representative matches, and have apparently benefited by appearing against professional clubs. They were greatly indebted to the defence.

The defection of Anderson, Pease and Parsons - the last-named is now playing for Luton Town - has undoubtedly weakened the Hampstead team, but the side as at present constituted is working together whole-heartedly, and there are hopes that the New Year will bring a revival in the fortunes of the club.