We believe no victory had given Hampstead Town more satisfaction than that registered on Saturday at the expense of Barnet in the first round on the competition proper of the F.A. Amateur Cup. The match was played on the Underhill ground, where Hampstead invariably fare badly - indeed, only once had they been successful on this ground since the war. In the twenty-one meetings in that period Barnet have won ten times, Hampstead five times, while six games have been drawn. It will therefore be imagined that Hampstead were by no means hopeful when they entered the field last Saturday, but the result, though unexpected, was most acceptable. Hitherto Hampstead have fared none to well in the Amateur Cup, but with a little luck in the matter of draws - and the draw for the second round, a home match with Wycombe Wanderers, leaves no ground for complaint - it is hoped that this season they will make their mark in the competition.

It will be noticed [when checking the teams at the foot of this report] that with the exception of Barnes for Elderton, Hampstead had the same team that won the replayed London Senior Cup tie with Wood Green on Boxing Day. R. Wardlaw, the captain, we understand, was in Scotland. It had been proposed to introduce G. Margetts at left-back and H. Shearcroft at centre-forward, but as these players could not turn out Nash retained his place in the front line and Brazier again did duty in the defence. Barnet had a full team with the exception of C.F. Toby at outside-left. Both he and Snaith had been suffering from injuries, and W.E. Harris, late of Hampstead Town, was in readiness to play at inside-right, but the Barnet supporters seemed glad to find that Snaith was able to take his usual position.

Considering the amount of rain that had fallen during the week, the ground appeared in excellent condition, but the game had not been long in progress before it was made clear that it was on the heavy side. Mistakes were frequent, and some players found great difficulty in lifting the ball.

Hampstead Town adapted themselves to the conditions remarkably well, and unlike the Barnet forwards, adopted an open game which bore fruit. Taking the play throughout Barnet were the cleverer side, and no injustice would have been done had they been victors, or at least been successful in forcing a replay, but towards the end, after the defence had been subjected to a good deal of pressure, the Hampstead forwards had a glorious quarter-of-an-hour, and got the Barnet defence in a tangle.

For some time play ran on even lines. Wise was early noticeable for consistently good work, and indeed, he was, we are inclined to think, the best forward on the field. Clarke stopped Platts nicely as he was getting dangerous, and the first good effort at scoring was made by Hughes, the Barnet centre-half, who, it will be recalled, was for some time a Hampstead Town back. Hughes sent in a terrific shot which Goodwin did well to save, but he was not quite as accurate with his subsequent shot. The first corner was forced by Nash, but this was abortive, though well-placed, and then good work by Sparrow took the eye, although he seemed handicapped by weakness on the left wing, Rogers apparently having met with an injury, while Platts was a little time finding his feet. Reinke, who the Barnet men found difficult to hold in a Cup-tie on the same ground last season, was dangerous several times, but the first really good chance to score fell to Nash, who was presented with an excellent opportunity by Cousins. A little later the same youngster again unaccountable failed, and one began to think that his inability to turn openings to account would have a great bearing on the result. We should like to add at once, however, that Nash atoned later for these failures.

As the game progressed Barnet showed something like their true form, and from a corner following a hot shot there was a desperate scrimmage in front of goal. A big sigh of relief went up from Hampstead supporters when the tension was relieved. The visitors got away on the left through the instrumentality of Pease, who was a tower of strength at centre-half, but Burr, running out of goal, prevented disaster. Sparrow was the forward Hampstead had most to fear, and none recognised this more than Pease. It was, however, too much to expect that he could be kept continually in check, and Goodwin had an anxious time. Fortunately for Hampstead, Sparrow's shots were often ill-directed. Snaith was another dangerous man, but the work of the visiting defence inspired confidence. Ron Brazier proved that he was by no means a spent force, even though he has not yet recovered last season's form.

The first goal came at the end of twenty-five minutes. Reinke was tearing towards goal with the ball at his feet when he was charged in the back. No claim for a foul was heard, but the referee, who was close up, had no hesitation in awarding a penalty kick, which was taken successfully by Pease. The second goal came a minute or so later. After Platts had made a very good effort for Barnet, some delightfully clever work by Wise gave Reinke the opportunity of beating Burr with a beautiful shot.

It can be well imagined that the Hampstead supporters were in high glee at this unexpected change in the game, but their joy was short-lived. Deeks scored for Barnet with a good shot, and in the course of a few seconds Goodwin had been beaten a second time by Sparrow from a well-timed centre by Platts.

Thus the teams were once more on an equal footing, and it may at once be admitted that Hampstead were fortunate at keeping the Barnet men at bay until the interval. Burr made one splendid save, but for the most part Barnet were on the offensive. Sparrow worked with tremendous energy without having much luck, and Platts at outside-left improved wonderfully as the game progressed.

Hampstead left the field for a little refreshment somewhat disappointed that they had been unable to retain the lead, but no impartial supporter could uphold the contention that they had been unlucky.

Things looked ominous for Hampstead when, shortly after resuming, Wise was injured and had to leave the field, but one felt certain that he would return if at all possible, and a shout went up when he made his reappearance after receiving a little attention from the club's skilled trainer. For a time things went none too well for Hampstead, and Goodwin must have felt his responsibility. From corner kicks he made good saves, and his long kicking from goal was a great help to the backs. In this respect he did not suffer in comparison with Burr. Twenty minutes after the interval Hampstead, who appeared to have got their second wind, once more took the lead through Reinke from a pass by Nash.

Not to be outdone, Barnet played in a desperate fashion - but by the use of the term "desperate" we do not imply unfair tactics. Indeed, few Cup ties between neighbouring clubs have been fought out in a more friendly manner.

At this juncture Goodwin made one of his few mistakes, but an open goal was not taken advantage of by Barnet. A second or so later Goodwin covered himself in glory in dealing with a shot from the much-dreaded Sparrow. At the other end Nash again seemed likely to beat Burr, but did not take advantage of the chance.

Then came an incident which had an important bearing on the result. A penalty kick was given against Hampstead, Thorlby being the culprit, though the offence did not appear to warrant the extreme punishment. Fletcher took the kick, but, unlike Pease, he failed miserably with the shot, which went wide of the post. After this stroke of luck, or ill-luck, whichever side one favoured, Sparrow was hurt, but he did not find it necessary to leave the field. Two corners, both unprofitable, having fallen to Barnet, Hampstead made the issue fairly safe, their fourth goal being secured by Nash, who practically walked with the ball by Fletcher, giving Burr no possible chance. Hampstead were now thoroughly on top of the home side, and after Wise, who had worked untiringly from the beginning, had skimmed the bar from an awkward angle, and Brazier had been added to the number of temporarily injured men, Reinke scored Hampstead's fifth and last goal from one of the few centres Cousins had put in during the match. Just on time Goodwin was beaten by Deeks, the match thus ending in a win for Hampstead by five goals to three.

It was a fine victory for Hampstead. For some time they were the under-dog, but perseverance prevailed. Their defence, taking it as a whole, was superior to Barnet's, and if the forwards as a line suffered in comparison, there was no better man in attack than Wise. Ball sent in many good centres, and with a more experienced player than Nash at inside-right, more damage might have been done, but taking everything into consideration, little room is left for complaint. Pease was a great support to the team at centre-half, and Thorlby's work was commendable. Brazier gave an improved display, and Clarke, as usual, was sound and tackled well. Goodwin had practically no chance with the shots that took effect. Luck was on his side now and again, but there were times when his work was A1.

Barnet have a dangerous forward line, but Rogers was unable to do himself justice. Sutton and Hughes performed well at half, but towards the end the backs seemed to waver. Burr is undoubtedly a good goalkeeper, but we doubt if he is superior to Goodwin.