Hampstead made their exit from the F.A. Cup on Saturday at Dunstable, where Waterlow's, who had previously beaten Finchley (at the fourth time of asking) and Wealdstone, won in convincing style by four goals to two, the score at the interval being 2-1. The ground is not a lucky one for Hampstead, as although they made a draw of 3-3 against Waterlow's at Dunstable two years ago, they have met with some heavy defeats at the hands of the now defunct Luton Clarence, who for some time rented the ground.

Hampstead were still without the services of Wardlaw, the captain, who, however, hopes to resume his place in the team in the match tomorrow against Enfield. Shearcroft, owing to a domestic bereavement, was also an absentee, his place being filled by H. Cobb, from the Reserves. From the advertised team the home side made one change.

There was a crowd of just over 1,000, which seemed small compared with those which have watched Hampstead's previous Cup-ties, the gate receipts amounting to about £30.

From the outset the home side created a very favourable impression, as after Howell had shot behind after receiving the ball from Evans, Brown just managed to clear a difficult ground shot. Two corners fell to Waterlow's, and like most of the others taken during the game, these were well placed. Relieving the pressure, Evans looked like ploughing his way through, but was stopped in the nick of time, and then Howell just missed improving upon a pass from Evans. Deeks was robbed by Hull as he was getting dangerous, and, from a long kick by Parsons, Howell made a good effort. The work of the visitors, however, lacked the cohesion that was so noticeable in the Waterlow's team, the fine understanding that existed throughout demonstrating early that they would not easily be beaten. On the right wing they were particularly strong, Taylor, besides tackling well, placing the ball beautifully to Everitt, who had a rare turn of speed and knew how to shoot. Brown was given but little rest, but he seemed the only player on the side, with perhaps the exception of Deeks, whose work gave satisfaction, even the backs, upon whom so much reliance is placed, being frequently faulty in their kicking.

Two corners fell to Hampstead, but they were not so well placed as those taken by their opponents, and although it was hard to admit such was the case, it was only a matter of time for Waterlow's to take the lead. Brown made one or two marvellous saves from the wing men, but at the end of twenty-five minutes he was well beaten, Tompkins heading in from a corner kick. Within a few seconds Woodcroft, the outside-left, also scored, Clarke being not wholly free from blame.

It will be understood that the few Hampstead supporters began to feel despondent, particularly as the run of the game continued in favour of Waterlow's. Now and again Hampstead would attack, but their work lacked incisiveness. One of the best shots of the match was sent in by Wise, but apart from this he seldom troubled the goalkeeper and Evans failed lamentably when he had the goal at his mercy. Just before the interval, however, good work by Howell, Wise and Evans culminated in the centre-forward atoning for past failures, his shot completely beating Chote, and the players retired with the score 2-1 in favour of Waterlow's.

Any hopes that Hampstead would make up leeway were soon dispelled, as in the second half the home side were clearly masters of the situation, and that being so, it was disappointing to find that one or two of them were not too scrupulous in their methods. They were constantly pulled up for foul play, and it speaks well for the school in which they have been brought up that some of their opponents did not retaliate. There was one unpleasant incident just before the end, but the referee was at fault if he had the impression, as he evidently did, that the Hampstead player was the aggressor.

The game was remarkable for the number of corners conceded, and when it is said that the majority fell to Waterlow's it will be gathered that the visiting defence had no easy task. Pease set an example to his forwards by sending in a shot which skimmed the post - really hard luck - but the lesson was not taken to heart. The inside men for the second week in succession failed to take advantage of their opportunities, and while the outside men tried hard, they were not so successful as usual in getting their centres across. There were also palpable weaknesses among the halves, Pease being the best of a moderate trio. Anderson frequently spoiled good work by dribbling.

Fairly early in this half Tompkins scored with a beautiful shot, and the next goal, also for Waterlow's, went to the credit of Everitt, who headed in from Woodcroft's pass.

At this stage one began to think that a huge score would be piled up against Hampstead, but fortunately they made a rally, and Deeks headed into goal from a finely-judged centre by Howell, thus bringing the score to 4-2. This was the state of affairs when the game ended, although in the last few minutes both goals had narrow escapes.

Waterlow's thoroughly deserved their victory, and it speaks well for the strength of Finchley's side this season that they held them in three games and only lost the fourth by a small margin. Brown was the saviour of the Hampstead side, but it is difficult to name another in favourable terms. Had Hampstead played as well as they did at Kingston and at home against Enfield they might have pulled off the victory, but the form was at least 50 per cent. below that standard.

Waterlow's have several players who have appeared in professional teams, and it is said that they have the advantage in training facilities which are not open to clubs such as Hampstead. All the same they are to be congratulated on emerging from the divisional final of the preliminary competition, and their future will be watched with interest by those clubs who have had to acknowledge defeat at their hands.