After one of the most thrilling games played by Hampstead for a long time, they advanced another stage on Saturday in the F.A. Cup by defeating Enfield pointless by two goals. This was the third meeting between the clubs this season, a victory for Enfield at home by 6-1 followed by wins for Hampstead at Claremont-road by 5-2 and 2-0. Strangely enough, Enfield are one of the teams that always go under on Hampstead's ground, although they have often done well when acting as hosts.

Saturday was an ideal day for football, and there was an attendance approaching 3,000 to witness the game. Unfortunately R. Wardlaw, the home captain, was unable to appear owing to a badly bruised ankle, his place being filled by A. Anderson, who was making his debut. Anderson is an old Summerstown player who, having spent some time in Hants, now returns to London. He made an efficient substitute. From the team originally selected Enfield brought P. Newman, who had scored well in a previous match, to take the place of Daniels at centre-forward, but the alteration was not a happy one, and in the second portion Newman changed places with W. Green at outside-right.

Hampstead, having choice of ends, attacked quite early in the game, Deeks forcing a corner after receiving a nice pass from Evans, the centre giving indications that he was in his best form. He was just beaten in a duel by Moss, but after Pease had conceded a corner through the ball hitting his chest, Evans, receiving from Wise, ran through the defence, and shot into an empty goal. Smith appeared to act correctly in running out, but Hampstead's centre has good ball control, and is wily in his methods.

This early success was encouraging to Hampstead, but when Enfield settled down they had quite a fair share of the game, and it was well that the home defence was sound. The game was fought out at a terrific rate, Brown, the Hampstead goalkeeper, being tested at one minute and Smith, his vis-a-vis, at the next. Smith had a larger share of work, however, because as a pair of backs Clarke and Parsons were even sounder than Dyson and Moss, who, it is well known, have often represented their county. Most of the dangerous shots came from Hampstead's left, Howell having few opportunities and then when they did come, he failed to make the best use of them. Green and Sims were Enfield's best marksmen, Ruskin often being on the slow side, while Newman was innocuous. On one occasion Stredwick, beating Clarke, made a magnificent effort, the ball striking the side of the net.

Just on the interval Evans had to be carried off the field as the result of a collision with an opponent, but happily his injury was not serious. Smith also had a nasty knock through crashing against the posts in dealing with one of Shearcroft's best shots, but here, again, recovery was speedy. The interval came with the score 1-0 in favour of Hampstead, and considering the amount of attacking work done by Enfield during the forty-five minutes it must be admitted that Hampstead had done well to retain their early lead.

In the second half Enfield's front line underwent a change, Newman going to outside-right, but in that position he was unable to do justice to himself through an injury. Howell was early prominent, but had no luck. Enfield played in determined fashion, Sims almost heading in from Green's centre. This was a good effort, but a minute or so later he missed a gilt-edged chance. The visitors kept Brown very busy, but he fielded the ball well, and the backs helped him in fine fashion. Then Hampstead took up the running and from a perfect pass by Howell, Shearcroft found the net, thus placing the home side two up.

While Hampstead were now playing so well as to make the result a certainty, the visitors were full of vim and both goalkeepers were repeatedly called upon, Brown excelling all previous efforts. Enfield with confidence appealed to the referee for a penalty, it being alleged that the ball was deliberately handled, and it was not until the chief official had consulted his linesmen that he gave his decision against the visitors. Evans, though slightly handicapped by his injury, did much good work, and from one of his individual runs he got within close range of goal with only Smith to bar his way. While credit must be given to the goalkeeper for his save, it was disappointing that Hampstead were not credited with a third goal. At the other end, however, they had the good fortune to clear from several well-placed corner kicks, and in the last few minutes Brown had quite an ovation with the manner in which he dealt with shots by Sims, Green and Walton.

Enfield died gamely. They hardly deserved to lose by two goals, and with more matches of this sparkling nature on the ground Hampstead need not fear lack of support.

While the absence of Wardlaw was regretted, the work of Anderson pleased immensely, particularly after he had got accustomed to his surroundings. Clarke has never played better, and on this form should be seen in representative matches before the season is over. Much thought has been expended over the forward line, but unless a "star" player comes along and craves for a place it would be well to leave it unchanged. This is the sixth successive match won by Hampstead, and the gloomy days of late August and early September are forgotten.