Hampstead accomplished what we regard as their best performance of the season on Saturday, when Tufnell Park were beaten in the Middlesex Senior Cup by four goals to love. True, they have on three occasions scored more goals, but not against one of the much-vaunted Isthmian League teams, while it is worthy of note that except in the friendly game with Southall, Hampstead had not since the first day of the season preserved a clean sheet. That they did so against such a strong team as Tufnell Park is a feather in the cap of S.R. Smith, who, while not overworked, had to deal with a few shots which would have beaten five goalkeepers out of six. The value of Hampstead's win is enhanced by the fact that three comparatively new-comers to the side - Moody, Neil and Owens - were, according to the programme, "not available", although we had been informed last week that the team would be at full strength. The side was made up by the introduction of Brazier, Thorlby and Sear; and if the last-named has to remain much longer in the Reserve team, an injustice, we think, is being done to him - at least if he is capable of reproducing last Saturday's form. If not exactly the best forward on the field, he was well in the running. He put across many good centres, and scored a goal from a very difficult angle. He was fast, tricky, and centred with judgment and accuracy. Thorlby, at one time a regular half-back, filled an emergency position with credit, although his form did not reach Athenian League standard. The other reserve, Ron Brazier, was most useful, and the value of his work proceeded as the game advanced.

Tufnell Park had to make one change from the advertised team, H.F. Nicholls being absent from the centre-forward position. At centre-half was W.N.D. Stevens, who has made one appearance for Hampstead this season.

Wardlaw won the toss, but this conferred no great benefit on Hampstead. The home side, however, were early aggressive, the best work being done on the left wing, Smy and Levy, backed up by Wardlaw, co-operating in a manner which boded ill for the Park. Offside spoiled one or two efforts, and the thickness of the mud at the Hendon end of the ground was responsible for other opportunities being missed. Applegarth seemed the Park's most dangerous forward, and Brazier did commendable work in putting an end to some of his movements. Young, in the unaccustomed position of centre-half, showed wonderful form, and largely through him the Hampstead attack got plenty of opportunities. Reinke worked with better judgment than usual, one of his shots from Shearcroft's pass being within an ace of taking effect. Two well-placed centres were made by Sear, Shearcroft heading over from the second, but he assisted in getting the first goal, which came at the end of eighteen minutes from the foot of Smy, who, close up, had Forbes hopelessly beaten.

On the run of the play Hampstead ought not to have been so long in finding the net, but after the initial success they never looked back. The Park forwards only occasionally troubled Smith, the extreme wingers being the pick of the line, but Smith was never found wanting. One of the nicest moves came from Applegarth, a player showing a fine turn of speed even on a heavy ground. Middling the ball beautifully, Harris had a good chance of heading through, but he obligingly popped it into Smith's waiting hands.

Shorland, for the second week in succession, was laid out by the heavy ball, but he can stand hard knocks better than many players, and in a minute or two no one could have guessed from his play that anything untoward had happened. Shortly before the interval Sear got a goal almost from the corner flag. The ball entered the far corner of the net much to the surprise of everyone, most of all the visiting goal-keeper. It was a splendid effort.

Hampstead well-deserved their lead of 2-0, and the scoring in the second half was a replica of the first, although it seemed for a time that the Park would run the home side much closer. They would have done so but for the smartness of Smith, coupled with a little luck on the side of Hampstead. Applegarth was rather too smart for Thorlby, who, on one occasion, almost made a fatal mistake by going for the man instead of the ball. Smith's best saves were from Applegarth and Harris, the latter being a very capable player, although for some reason or other he was not very popular with the crowd. At one stage the spirit prevailing was not of the happiest kind. Smy was in his very best form, and receiving much support from Levy, danger was often threatening from the left wing, while Shearcroft, Reinke and Sear were most persistent. In a regular scrimmage in the goal-mouth Smith happened to fall on the ball, and would not or could not leave go until the whistle blew for a free-kick. A hot fusilade took place at the other end, Sear hitting the cross-bar, and then Smy scored Hampstead's third goal, Forbes being seemingly at fault in his judgment. A minute or two later Reinke completed the scoring with what many acclaimed to be the best goal of the match. With a first-timer about ten yards out he had Forbes hopelessly beaten.

The result naturally gave much satisfaction to the Hampstead supporters, who thoroughly enjoyed the game. Though the ground was in a bad condition, it was fine overhead, and play was watched under better conditions than have been experienced for the last two months or more. The crowd numbered about 2,000, a "gate" which many amateur clubs would welcome, but the accommodation at Claremont-road is so good that an additional three or four thousand people could have been entertained without the least sign of overcrowding. Hampstead's attendances have not been quite what had been hoped for, but the vile weather and non-success in the field have been contributory causes to a decline in the takings. The win on Saturday, coupled with the prospect of some fine Saturdays, should cheer the treasurer's heart.

Had Hampstead played so well in Athenian League football, the club would have occupied a respectable position in the table instead of being virtually at the bottom. It was a big stroke of luck that Tufnell Park had to forego choice of ground in consequence of the replayed Amateur Cup-tie between London Caledonians and Barking being played at North London, but the venue was not wholly responsible fo the big margin between the sides. In no department were the Tuffs better served than Hampstead, and while the defection of Stevens after a brief experience was regretted, Young, in this match, was quite his equal. It was good to see Reinke doing so well as he has been none too lucky this season.

R.A.F. (Uxbridge), Lyons, and the Metropolitan Police are the other semi=finalists in the cup, and Hampstead are fortunate in having to receive the Airmen. Unlike some other County competitions, the semi-finals are not played on neutral grounds.