A goal scored when the game was thirty minutes old sufficed to dismiss Hampstead from the A.F.A. Cup at Leyton on Saturday. St. Albans City, who now meet Catford Wanderers in the final, deserved their win, but it was not due to any particular merit on their part. Hampstead have had some bad days of late, but Saturday was one of the worst. The forwards were shockingly weak. They did not send in more than half-a-dozen really good shots during the match. Spalton and Rowe, the inside men, were the pick, but even they will not look back upon the game with any degree of satisfaction. Knott, at outside-left, did nothing of value.

The fact that only one goal was scored by St. Albans shows that there was not much wrong with the defence. Smith, in goal, had a busy time, and did his part well. Dean and Richardson also compared favourably with the St. Albans backs, who, however, had less to do. The star man on Hampstead's side, and indeed on the field, was George Bucci, who moved from left-half to centre-half in the hope that he would be the means of giving Evans more opportunities to score. So far as Bucci was concerned, the change was successful, but Evans was again weak. It cannot be said that Butt, who was brought into the middle line vice Rees, was a conspicuous success, although some of his work was very good. The all-important goal was indirectly traceable to him.

Three outstanding players for St. Albans were Runchman at centre-half, Clark (the old Wealdstone player) at back, and Ette at inside left. Ette had to leave the field a short time before the interval owing to injury, but, though handicapped, the City fully held their own.

There was much weak shooting by St. Albans, but their forwards as a line were much superior to the Hampstead five. They were much quicker on the ball, and their passing was more accurate. Figg, who has been such a prominent half-back for City, was at outside-right, and still has much football in him. "Harold, shoot!", shouted an enthusiastic lady from St. Albans on one occasion when Figg got possession. He did shoot, but high over the bar, but for the most part his shots were near the mark.

Hampstead started very well, and from a free kick there was a promise of a score, but it was soon seen it would not be easy to pierce the defence, Clark putting in many big kicks. The first corner fell to St. Albans, Richardson doing well to head clear. Then, from 20 yards out, Bucci, taking a free kick, sent in a shot which was with difficulty tipped over the bar. The kick, taken by Breagan, went by. Breagan's placing of the ball from the flag is by no means so accurate as in his early matches. Then many goals followed from corner kicks.

Hampstead had a fair share of the play, but while there were occasions when they were decidedly unfortunate in not scoring, they were themselves largely to blame. Rowe made one or two attempts to barge his way through, and seemed the most likely man to score if we except Bucci.

The winning goal was scored through Butt passing the ball back to Richardson. Richardson could not reach the ball, which came over to the City's left wing, and Gill scored. Just after that Ette was carried off the field, but Hampstead could not take advantage of the reduced number.

Soon after the change of ends Evans was hurt, but soon came on again, as also did Ette, but a change of positions was made as a consequence of the latter's injury, Figg going to inside left. However, no improvement was brought about in Hampstead's play. Smith had far more work to do than Gatwood, who, when occasion arose, proved himself to be a reliable goalkeeper. In the closing minutes Hampstead put in some of their best work, but both Knott and Evans missed good openings. As a last effort, a centre by Breagan led to a combined attack on Gatwood, but he saved the situation.

Thus for three weeks in succession Hampstead have lost games by the odd goal, and a big improvement in attack must take place if the League championship is to be won.