Hampstead Town on Saturday, at Cricklewood-lane, were pitted against a plucky but inexperienced side in Berkhamsted Town, and as a result entered the second round of the qualifying competition of the F.A. Cup by eight goals to one. For a time Berkhamsted held ther own fairly well, and at the interval were only two goals down, but in the second half Hampstead piled up five goals without response, and but for a brilliant display by Goodman in the Berkhamsted goal the score might have been doubled. The visitors faced probably the biggest crowd that has ever gathered at their matches, and some of them laboured under such excitement that sometimes the play was of questionable character, the centre-half being pulled up on several occasions. Their defence on the whole was pretty good, and of the forwards B. Bayliss, who shot their only goal, seemed the best of the bunch. Hampstead made two changes in their team, the right wing being composed of S.E. Cousins, who appeared in the opening match against Redhill, and A.T. Bush, who has played for Gloucestershire. He had recently received a scholastic appointment in the locality. Unfortunately the expected transfer of G.F. Howell has not matured and F.H. Ball again partnered Wise on the left wing, Reinke being in the centre. The defence was as usual, and on present form no changes are necessary.

The score of 8-1 in favour of Hampstead does not over-represent their superiority. There were lengthy intervals during which Goodwin, the Hampstead goalkeeper, never touched the ball, and the only goal scored by Berkhamsted was due to a faulty clearance by a back. At the other end the custodian was peppered with shots, Wise sending a large number. He had a tendency to lift the ball too high, and others went direct to the goalkeeper, but there was a tremendous amount of force behind the shots and he managed to score three times. Reinke went one better, his tally being four, and as he had twice previously this season performed the hat trick, no one can gainsay his value. He may not be the most artistic of players, but after all goals count for much, and he can stand any amount of buffeting. The other goal was scored by Bush, who was injured in doing so, but after treatment he quickly reappeared. It was one of the best goals of the match, and was a reward for much good work.

Hampstead opened the scoring after three minutes' play through Reinke from Ball's pass, and five minutes later, from practically their first attack, Berkhamsted equalised. Good goalkeeping kept the scores level for another ten minutes, although Hampstead obtained four corners in two minutes. Wise gave the home side the lead from a pass by Cousins, and Reinke scored the third goal at the end of 32 minutes.

in the second half Berkhamsted were a thoroughly beaten team, goals being obtained for Hampstead by Bush, Reinke, Wise (2) and Reinke in the order named. Now and again the Hertfordshire side gave Goodwin some work, but the home halves were very consistent, and made the opposing attack more or less impotent.

Without wishing to question the action of young clubs in competing in the premier competition, it is a pity to find teams so unequally matched. No doubt, however, Berkhamsted were pleased with the substantial financial solatium. The gate was in the neighbourhood of 3,000, and their share must have been equal to the takings of many matches at Berkhamsted.