Hampstead Town created a big surprise in amateur football circles on Saturday by trouncing Barnet, at Barnet, by four goals to nil in the Middlesex Senior Cup. This may be regarded as one of the best, if not the best, performance that Hampstead have accomplished within recent years, because Barnet this season have had an unprecedented run of successes in cup-ties, and have not known defeat on their own ground, although they have had to meet some of the best clubs in the south of England. On the other hand Hampstead, while doing well before Christmas, had shown signs of falling off, and with the departure of Sweetman to Queen's Park Rangers, and the absence of one or two other players from unavoidable causes, their chances of succeeding on a pitch where they have never been completely successful were not bright. Indeed, most people looked upon the result as a foregone conclusion, the prevailing opinion among Barnet supporters being that the home club would have two or three goals in hand. But the unexpected happened, as is sometimes the case, and rising to the occasion Hampstead won a remarkable game by four goals to none.

What a contrast was to be found to the position the previous week, when Barnet had scored five goals at Oxford. Their supporters were then jubilant, as they had every right to be; but last Saturday disappointment was written largely upon their faces. When it was seen that the game could have nothing but a sorrowful ending for Barnet, many so-called supporters left the field, the excuse being that the weather was bitterly cold! Had Barnet, however, been winning we venture to say that the weather would not have prevented one and all seeing the match to the end. We are glad to hear that the Barnet officials, like sportsmen, congratulated Hampstead upon the result.

The play was keen, as one would expect between old rivals, but there was a marked absence of anything approaching unfair tactics. The free kicks granted were mostly for handling and for failing to throw in correctly, the referee being very watchful in this connection.

Fletcher beat Wardlaw in the spin of the coin, but choice of ends conferred no great advantage. For a time play ruled evenly, the first dangerous shot coming from O'Callaghan, which Goodwin punched out. From a free kick just outside the penalty area for a foul - not a bad one - against Barnes, Rogers drove the ball just wide of the post. Hampstead took a little while to settle down, but then good work was done on the left, Wise plying Smith with well-directed passes. From one of these Burr was troubled, but he managed to clear. The men on the right wing were not so happy. In the hope that Irwin might be more useful, he was given the inside position, but although he did well, Reinke was ineffective, and ere long the captain reverted to the old formation, an action which events proved was thoroughly justified. As the game advanced Hampstead gained confidence, the backs, particularly Brazier, doing splendidly. On one occasion Brazier fell as he was about to tackle, but Harris saved the situation. Barnes was temporarily winded by the force of the ball, and from the throw up Edwards had a favourable opportunity of testing Goodwin, but his aim was wide, and, generally speaking, all the Barnet forwards were right off the target, O'Callaghan being the pick of a poor bunch. Perhaps the narrowest escape Hampstead had was when Goodwin was floundering on the ground unable to get the ball clear, and a sigh of relief went up from the Cricklewood and Hendon contingent when danger was at last averted. Barnes, at centre-half, fed the forwards with judgment, and there were periods when there was nothing but admiration for Hampstead's team work. They played as an eleven and not as individuals. From a fine movement on the right wing Reinke sent in a remarkably good shot, and this being ineffective, Wise tried his hand, or foot, a terrific drive just missing by inches. The pressure at this juncture was so hot that cries of "Come on, Barnet!" could be heard in several parts of the field. A miskick by Iles looked ominous, but luck was not in Barnet's favour.

At the end of about twenty-five minutes, following a corner, Wise opened the scoring with a shot that went well out of Burr's reach. This had the effect of bringing out the best in the Hampstead team, and ironical remarks were made to some of the Barnet players. Reinke and Irwin put in a lot of valuable work, and from one of the former's shots Burr did well to clear at the expense of a corner. Another was forced by Smith, and as these place kicks were well directed Burr had a very anxious time. Before long Wise got the defence in a hopeless tangle, and scored a second goal. It might have been saved had Fletcher passed the ball back to the goalkeeper, but as it was Burr had no chance. This success met with the applause it deserved from the Hampstead supporters, but it was nothing to that which followed the scoring of the third point. The honour fell to Reinke, who, always thrustful, kicked the ball out of Burr's hands into the net. This unexpected rate of scoring, to which Barnet are not accustomed from visitors, put the home side quite off their game, while Hampstead played as an inspired team. They forced corner upon corner, and though these were well placed, they yielded no fruit. Just on half-time Smith gave Burr a shot which he did well to place round the post. Seabrooke was in his best form, and apart from keeping the wings well employed, he led the Barnet defenders a rare dance when he made solo efforts. He failed in the end, but his tricky work was admired. Half-time was signalled with the score three goals to none.

Naturally the Hampstead men were pleased with themselves as they took a little harmless beverage in the dressing room, but remembering what had happened in the past when at the interval they had held a good lead there was determination on their part to take nothing for granted. One almost gathered that good advice had also been tendered to Barnet, as for a few minutes after play had recommenced there seemed a promise that they would overwhelm their opponents. But their partial triumph - they could not find the net despite some pressure on goal - was short-lived, and as time went on play veered round in Hampstead's favour almost to the same extent as it had done in the first half. Ably supported by the backs and halves - the placing of the middle trio could not have been bettered - the forwards gave a scintillating display. Dainty footwork gave place to passing from wing to wing, their play contrasting largely with that of the opposing quintette, which was very ragged, Sparrow, of whom much is always expected, being almost a passenger. Reinke delighted everybody with his clever work, and he was responsible for the fourth goal at the end of twenty-two minutes, which was the result of snapping up a chance given to him by Wardlaw. Barnet were fortunate in that so long elapsed before this goal was obtained, some good opportunities having been missed. One of the best fell to Reinke, who shot direct into Burr's hands at close quarters.

In the closing stages Goodwin, compared with his opposite number, had an idle time, so good were Brazier and Iles at keeping Barnet at bay. Wise and Irwin put in some good shots, Reinke was ever a source of trouble, while on two occasions Seabrooke ran two-thirds of the length of the field with the ball at his toes, only to fall at the last ditch. The first time he was hustled off the ball in the penalty area, and on the next occasion, finding Smith well placed, he tapped the ball to him, but had the mortification of seeing it sent wide. With four goals in hand, however, such incidents could be taken philosophically.

When the teams left the field Hampstead came in for a good cheering from Barnet people who could take defeat with grace, but many of the home side's followers silently departed to ponder over things that might have been.