"Can you possibly come to Staines - you invariably bring us good luck, " said an official of the Hampstead Town F.C to me a fortnight ago, when discussing the prospects of the club entering the competition proper of the Amateur Cup. The last hurdle to be surmounted in the qualifying competition was Staines Lagonda, a club which has done well in West Middlesex circles but was not regarded as capable of extending many of the teams figuring in the Athenian League. On the two previous occasions the clubs have met victory was on the side of Hampstead Town, and therefore the supporters of the "Blue and Whites" were hopeful that, although the cup-tie had to be played at the riverside town, the triple event would be completed. Had not Hampstead scored fifteen goals in their last two matches against Polytechnic and Enfield!

Having survived the throes of the election campaign, I was able once again to devote Saturday afternoon to watching a game of which I am passionately fond, and with a large number of Hampstead Town supporters I visited for the first time the Staines Lagonda ground.

In the carriage in which I travelled from Waterloo were two or three ladies from Child's Hill who would not entertain the idea of defeat for the team which they consistently support, but in a long experience of football I have found that there is many a slip 'twixt cup and lip, and I am not given to cocksureness even when on paper there may be a great difference between the competing teams. I knew that should Hampstead lose these ladies would be as unduly depressed as they had been elated, and therefore I jokingly told them that much as I had enjoyed their company I should, in the event of defeat being experienced, give them a wide berth on the return journey. The unexpected did happen, and I kept my promise by seeking the companionship of those who can take defeat less seriously than the fair sex partisans. I hope by this time the ladies referred to have recovered from the shock.

Howard is an old Hampstead Town player now working at Staines, and it was pleasing to hear him get a cheer from visiting supporters as he came on to the field. The cleverness which he often displayed at Cricklewood-lane still marks his play and he contributed much to Hampstead's downfall by 2-0. Unfortunately Howard got injured towards the close of the first half and his play consequently suffered. Briscoe appeared in Lagonda's colours when no place could be found for him in Hampstead's team, and he too had a cordial reception. The game was played before a good number of spectators, but the "gate" compared unfavourably with that which is the rule at Cricklewood-lane, and the arrangements in some respects were rather primitive.

The winning of the toss by Little gave no advantage to Hampstead who, however, soon got off the mark, and began to stain Curnow's immaculately clean gloves. Play was largely on Hampstead's left wing, where Howell was giving trouble, and the work in the first ten minutes ought to have brought tangible reults. The goalkeeper was frequently in difficulties, and had luck favoured Hampstead in the slightest degree he must have been beaten. Brooks in due time began to fathom the plan which Wise and Howell had laid out, and stopped nice movements. The visiting forwards made the mistake of allowing the Lagonda backs too much freedom of movement. Had the backs been hampered the defence would not have stood the strain. Two or three corners fell to Hampstead, but the placing was not too accurate, and gradually the play veered in the other direction.

The Staines' forwards developed a much more open game than Hampstead, and the speedy wingers found the visitors' first line of defence singularly ineffective, Little being the best of a poor trio. The backs, however, were in good form. Harry made many of his characteristic dashes, but Field covered him well. Gradually, but surely, Staines got the upper hand, and one of the finest shots came from Nicholas, the burly centre-half, which almost grazed the cross-bar. At the other end Briscoe just failed to improve upon a centre by Howell, whose dashes along the left wing, though not as frequent as I had hoped for, earned the admiration of supporters and opponents alike. At length a goal came. McCracken had made a brilliant save from Withers, but before he could recover himself Howard had got possession and scored against his old side. A little later Nicholas, the captain, caused the Hampstead spirits to fall still lower by getting a second goal. In neither case could McCracken be blamed. Howard at this time was doing wonderfully well - it is not an uncommon thing to find a player showing more than average form against old comrades - and it was therefore unfortunate for Staines that he became crocked and had to be carried off the field. Here was Hampstead's opportunity, but they failed to make use of it, and for some time not a decent shot was sent in. Kirby did little work of value at centre - I learn he was not in the best of health - and matters were not improved when in heading the ball he was almost stunned. Howard returned, amid cheers, just before half-time.

The run of the play up to this time hardly led me to expect that Hampstead would pull the game out of the fire, but when play was restarted the Blue and Whites showed something of their true form and I was optimistic enough to hope for a draw at least, but they flattered only to deceive. Hampstead persisted in their usual scientific game which never materialised. They were never allowed to settle down to an orthodox game; the halves were robbed all too frequently when manoeuvring for position play, and the short passing methods of the forwards were always nipped in the bud. Admittedly with a little luck Hampstead would have scored: but it was equally true that many of the Lagonda shots deserved a better fate. McCracken has not often played more effectively: and he did well in clearing two or three times at the expense of corners. As the end was approaching Hampstead appealed vainly for a penalty, it being contended by those in a position to judge that the ball had been handled, but the referee was adamant. Wise, like others, missed chances, but the only two likely scoring shots came from the erstwhile captain, who was closely marked.

The game thus ended in a win for Staines by two goals to none - a win, which, though unexpected, was thoroughly merited on the run of the play. Hampstead have played some in-and-out games this season, but not one, I think, which created such a poor impression. Had normal form - not extraordinarily good form - been shown I think they must have won, because Staines are by no means a powerful side and in the next stage of the cup will probably get notice to quit.

It was a game which will have no pleasant memories for Hampstead, and when next I am privileged to accompany the team I hope better fare will be served up. This was certainly Hampstead's off day. I am not prone to grumble when a team does its best and then meets with defeat: and I would not care to follow a team which shies at stiff hurdles, but it is galling when the ability that one knows is in a team does not show itself in a crucial match, and interest in a cup competition vanishes for another season.