I have often refrained from attending Hampstead Town's matches away from home (writes E.T.) beacuse I am accused of bringing them bad luck, but this season they have had such a remarkable run of successes that I was tempted to travel into Surrey on Saturday to witness their [fifth qualifying round] London [Senior] Cup-tie with Mitcham Wanderers. The draw gave Hampstead Town the choice of ground, but this advantage was sportingly given up in order to allow of Civil Service playing their Isthmian League fixture with Oxford City at Cricklewood-lane, as originally arranged. Mitcham Wanderers, like the Town, have had a remarkably good season - their defeat of Leyton by 2-0 on the previous Saturday in the London Senior Cup being one of their greatest triumphs; and Hampstead were not too sanguine that, after giving up the right of playing on their own enclosure, they would enter the competition proper. To the surprise of everybody, however, they romped home by six goals to none - a result which, perhaps, was hardly justified on the run of play, although the superiority of Hampstead was unquestionable.

Hampstead had their usual team, with the exception that Bloxham replaced Brooker at back. Iles had been selected, but at the last moment he was unable to appear. Bloxham came out of this match with credit: the fact that a clean sheet was kept bears this out, for the home side had a persistent forward line.

The ground was in very good condition, And Hampstead, who have got used to playing on a soddened pitch, found themselves in the first few minutes somewhat out of their element. It was not long, however, before they gave proof that good football could be played on a fast ground as well as under less pleasant conditions, and, backed as usual by a consistant middle trio, the forwards gave a scintillating display. They did not adopt one style only. The close passing game, at which they are adepts, would be forsaken quickly for individual work, and then, again, with long passes from wing to wing; but the happiest feature of all was that the back division showed much improvement. I am told that Brazier (who crossed over from right to left) was not at all well, but he kicked strongly, and Bloxham seemed determined to show that the judgment of the selection committee in giving him a chance was not misplaced.

Cecil Wise, who captained the team, did well in winning the toss, because Mitcham had to face the sun - yes, the sun did shine despite fog at Hendon - in the first half. In the early stages the home players quite held their own. The backs kicked strongly, and the forwards played an open game which promised well to yield results. The first real good shot, however, came from Young, who was working well with Irwin. Young almost scraped the cross bar, and Irwin, with a running shot, delivered what I believe some football scribes call a "pile-driver," to be followed a minute or two later by another which just missed the target. This wing was splendidly backed up by "Taffy" Harris, who belongs to the "I fear no foe" type. At one moment he would be feeding the forwards with discretion; at the next he would be in the rear assisting the defence. Bloxham did well in defeating his winger when well-placed; and after Irwin had failed to take advantage of a fairly easy chance, a surprise goal came from Young, who, from some distance out, sent in a shot which Thompson apparently made no effort to save. This point was obtained at the end of twelve minutes, and before Mitcham had recovered from the shock Seabrooke scored a second.

Then came perhaps the bitterest blow of all for Mitcham, as they lost the services of A.T. Mason, the extreme left-winger, who until then had shown the best work of the forward line. He injured his ankle so badly that a doctor was sent for, and from that time the home team played one short. Brilliant work by the left wing, Wardlaw, Smith and Wise, co-operating in a manner bewildering to Mitcham, gave Young the chance to score a third goal; and Wise got the fourth, the goalkeeper being out of position. Severe pressure was put on the home defence, but at half-time the score remained at 4-0.

In the second half Mitcham did a little better, notwithstanding the fact that for a short time they lost a useful player in Benham (the centre-forward). Goodwin now and again was called into action, but for the most part the shots sent in did not trouble him unduly. At the other end Thompson proved that he was a far better goalkeeper than his earlier work had led Hampstead supporters to believe was the case, and he was deservedly cheered for some good work. Sweetman missed a penalty kick, but Young got a fifth goal (and incidentally, I may say, completed the hat trick for the second week in succession), and Seabrooke completed the scoring with a fine individual effort.

The Hampstead team, as a whole, played well, and although the Wanderers had all the hard luck that was going, the home supporters readily admitted the quality of football served up by the Town.

From "Sports Gleanings", 26/12/1924 :

We understand that W.E. Harris, who is doing well for Hampstead Town at right-half, has signed amateur forms for Aston Villa.

From "Sports Gleanings", 19/12/1924 :

S. Sweetman, Hampstead's brilliant centre-half, has signed amateur forms for Queen's Park Rangers, but there is hope he will not change his colours during the present season.