[Extract from a much longer report - details of the travelling party and of the journey both ways have been omitted for reasons of space.]

Hampstead Town made their exit from the Amateur Cup on Saturday in a somewhat inglorious manner. Travelling to Durham to meet Ferryhill Athletic, a Northern League team, they were beaten by four goals to nil. The figures may to some slight extent over-represent the superiority of the home side, but Hampstead Town, failing to reproduce that form of which they are capable, were fairly and squarely beaten. The result was disappointing to both players and supporters. Something better was expected. It was a poor return for a journey covering 500 miles, but, like sportsmen, the Town executive and players tendered hearty congratulations to the victors, and wished them good luck in the next stage.

The game was fought in the true spirit of the game. Free kicks for infringements of rules were few; there were no bad fouls, and the referee could have had no easier job.

Neither club had previously reached the third round of the competition proper of the Amateur Cup. The luck of the draw brought the teams together. Although Ferryhill were quite an unknown quantity in the South, Hampstead Town would have fancied their chances had the match been played at Cricklewood-lane, but as the battle had to be waged in far-off Durham, they were face to face with a totally different proposition, and while the players started off determined to do their level best, we do not think there was any marked degree of confidence.

Statistics showed that Ferryhill headed the Northern League, in which there are such well-known clubs as Stockton, Bishop Auckland, and South Bank. True, Hampstead Town have acquitted themselves almost as well in the Athenian League, but those who have followed the team closely know that there are still weak spots. However, none could cavil at the selection for last Saturday's game, having regard to the fact that Brazier, who until recently played at left-back, was, owing to an injury, still unfit. Ferryhill, it was stated, were at full strength save that Makepeace deputised for Auton, injured.

Wardlaw lost the toss, but his side were given the advantage of kicking down a slight slope in the first half. Hampstead started off in a most promising manner, indeed, at no other period of the game did they possess a much better chance of scoring. Clever football gave Cousins an opportunity to make headway, but his shot went wide. The active Ferryhill forwards then made good, Scott bringing Goodwin to his knees. He cleared well, but the homesters kept hammering at Hampstead's goal, Barker, at outside-left, troubling much. It was some time before Clarke, usually so sound, found his bearings, and Bloxham relieved the situation more than once, but he in turn gave anxiety. It was soon made clear that Ferryhill possessed a forward line above the average amateur side. Their combined work was impressive, and the team as a whole, and particularly the outside men, were fast. Goodwin had very little rest. After a good shot from Latherton had been cleared, temporary relief was given by Cousins, who tested Curran, and after Ferryhill had had an unproductive corner, Pease initiated a nice movement which promised results. The Hampstead forwards, however, were extremely feeble in front of goal.

With a nice pass to Barker, a dangerous situation was created by Latherton, but Boxham rushed in where others might have feared to tread, and cleared his lines. Ferryhill, however, were not to be denied, and at the end of ten minutes they opened their account, Goodwin being hopelessly beaten with a shot from Latherton from a well-placed centre by Ibbotson. Restarting, Pease gave the ball to Cousins, who failed to make good, and on the other wing Bucci, though given several opportunities, was by mo means a shining light. Littlejohn missed one glorious chance of increasing the lead, but a minute or so later Goodwin made one of his best saves from Ibbotson. He did so at the expense of a corner, which was immediately followed by another, which was so nicely placed by Barker that Scott had no difficulty in heading into the net. Two goals down at the end of a quarter-of-an-hour seemed bad business for Hampstead.

As it happened they managed to avert further disaster before the interval. At no time did they show signs of despondency, and for a little while they gave the impression that a deficit of two goals was a mere trifle. A shot by Cousins hovered in the goal-mouth, and it seemed almost certain that the citadel must fall, but the visitors had no luck. Wise worked hard and forced a corner, but this was wasted by bad placing; and then Curran did well to scoop the ball along the ground out of danger. A little later he had reason to congratulate himself that he was not beaten by Cousins. But, although showing slightly improved form the forwards were by no means impressive. Had they appproached the form shown in some recent matches they must have scored, a the Ferryhill backs were not convincing, and frequently placed the ball back to the goalkeeper. In another attack by the home side, Goodwin earned applause for his work. Throughout his anticipation was good, and keeping a cool head, he saved shots that would have beaten many others in his position. Once Proudfoot hit the bar, and Ibbotson gave him no rest. Reinke made one single-handed run, but it was a mere flash in the pan. Just before the interval Ibbotson and Scott combined nicely, and after the ball had been centred, Goodwin made a miraculous save with Latherton and Littlejohn in close attendance. The ball rested on the goal-line, and Goodwin seemed somewhat dazed, but at last the ball was got out of the danger zone. In the hope of reducing the score against Hampstead, Wise made one desperate effort, and after eluding three opponents tested Curran severly, but unsuccessfully. Half-time therefore came with the score two goals to none in favour of Ferryhill, a lead they justly deserved on the run of the play.

In the second half Hampstead were seen to slightly better advantage, but the result was the same - no goals for themselves and two for Ferryhill. Hampstead quickly forced a corner but the ball was headed away. After some midfield play Barker steered clear of the majority, but his endeavour was cleverly checked by Clarke, who had improved wonderfully as the game advanced. Quickly forcing two corners, Ferryhill were rather unfortunate not to find the net. Hampstead took advantage of this escape, and initiated probably their most dangerous movement. Bucci eluded the attention of Proudfoot and centred across for Reinke to attempt a left-footed drive, but Curran, with great judgment, saved splendidly. Goodwin next emulated the feat of Curran when he gathered a great shot from the foot of Scott.

Ferryhill, apparently realising that the issue was not quite as certain as the lead suggested, settled down to their work and dangerous attacks from both right and left compelled Hampstead defenders to concentrate seriously on saving their goal from further downfall. Clarke and Pease were conspicuous at this time, but consistent pressure eventually brought fruit, Scott shooting directly into the corner of the net. Even then Hampstead were not discouraged, but, of course, the big margin against them took a great deal of interest out of further play, and as rain began to fall matters were not improved. Two attempts by Latherton and Littlejohn ought to have borne fruit, but after exercising a good deal of pressure Ferryhill scored a fourth goal through Scott, who thus completed his hat trick. Hampstead made one or two valiant efforts to retrieve their reputation, but Curran was equal to all demands made upon him, and the visitors left the field well beaten by four goals to nil.

The keen and robust tackling of the Ferryhill halves contributed largely to the impotency of the Hampstead attack. It has seldom been weaker, and not one of the five can look back upon the game with any degree of satisfaction. There were few combined movements, and most of the shots directed at Curran lacked sting. Pease was the pick of the halves. Both Wardlaw and Thorlby did very well, but they were far too much occupied in defensive work to help the forwards much. Bloxham came out of the ordeal better than was expected, and Clarke redeemed a poor start. Goodwin may feel disappointed at being beaten four times, but he had little spare time and many of the shots directed at him would have beaten most custodians.

Ferryhill were full value for a victory. Their play seems to have astonished even their own supporters, who now consider seriously the possibility of the trophy coming to Durham. Personally we think that with a little luck in the draw, they may go a step further, but we think there are still teams in the South capable of beating them on neutral soil.

We have before us a copy of a North Eastern paper, which says, "Hampstead can be congratulated on their real sportsmanlike display. Although in arrears and completely overmastered by superior tactics, they never once attempted rough methods of reprisals, and took their defeat in characteristic Cockney fashion." These remarks we can vouch for as being true to the last letter.