Silver Jubilee Park 2018-19

My matchday visits to Silver Jubilee Park for the 2018-19 season.

Hendon 9 Edgware Town 1 (Thursday 12^th July 2018) Pre Season Friendly (att: 101)

An impressive performance from the new look Dons against Wares who were missing a regular keeper, but still offered plenty of hope. Tyriq Hunte scored a hat trick after coming on as a second half substitute.

 Hendon 1 St Albans City 2 (Saturday 14^th July 2018) Pre Season Friendly (att: 95)

Dons didn’t get going until late in the game and 2-0 down. Dylan Kearney pulled a goal back before missing a penalty in the last minute on another scorching day.

Edgware Town 1 Potters Bar Town 3 (Wednesday 18^th July) Pre Season Friendly (att: 60)

Wares gave it a good go against visitors from two divisions higher but were eventually undone. Mikkel James scored their goal.

Hendon 2 Haringey Borough 3 (Saturday 21^st July 2018) Pre Season Friendly (att: 119)

Hendon led through Marvin Morgan at the break before falling 3-1 behind. Once again ten outfield changes were made on the hour mark as Jimmy Gray evaluated his fledgling squad. Again, the better Dons football came in the closing stages leading to Dean Mason grabbing a goal back.

Edgware Town 3 Hanwell Town 3 (Monday 23^rd July 2018) Pre Season Friendly (att: 45)

It was a pity that more fans didn’t attend what was an excellent game of football, as Edgware’s goals game through a comical own goal, the impressive Ethan Mooney and Andrew Manitou

Hendon 1 Royston Town 1 (Tuesday 24^th July 2018) Pre Season Friendly (att: 66)

This friendly was rather tetchy in the first half with the visitors going ahead. Kearney equalised after the break as Hendon improved again after the mass substitutions.

Hendon 3 Walton Casuals 0 (Tuesday 14^th August 2018) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 236)

A great start for the Dons in their first home game in their new league. Luke Tingey powered home a header from a Lee Chappell corner before Ricky German scored a fantastic individual goal.

Hunte added a third goal from the bench in the second half as Hendon saw out the game with ease to the joy of a decent midweek gate.

Hendon 2 Farnborough 1 (Saturday 18^th August 2018) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 278)

The impressive debut season continued. Cole Brown put the Greens ahead on thirty four minutes. The defence were doing a decent job with impressive young keeper Danny Boness looking confident despite arriving just minutes before kick off.

An excellent goal featuring Stephane Ngamvoulou and some excellent hold up play from the veteran Morgan set up Laste Dombaxe to curl the ball past flat footed keeper Lenny Pidgley.

Boro piled on pressure and scored a fine goal ten minutes from time. It was nail biting stuff for the remainder of the game as Dons threatened to break away but their ball retention was poor as they squandered some chances.

Boness pulled off a marvellous save after a visiting player missed a relatively simple chance to the amazement of the crowd. The final whistle was met with relieved and happy cheers from the home fans as their unbeaten league run continued. I also had the pleasure of meeting comedian and Farnborough fan Andy Smart.

Hendon 2 Harrow Borough 4 (Monday 27^th August 2018) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 381)

A bumper Bank Holiday crowd saw Harrow deservedly take the points, even if their goals as they went into a 3-0 win were slightly fortunate. All three goals went in off Hendon players, with the second being an uncharacteristic goalkeeping howler.

Gray pushed the excellent defender Guri Demuria forward to try and salvage something from the game. His presence and the delivery of Chappell led to Hunte being fouled in the box and for German to stroke home the resulting penalty.

The pressure was being applied, but Harrow broke away to add a fourth. George Moore and Mitchal Gough had been excellent throughout leading the visitors defence. German still found time to add a second in the final few seconds.

Hendon 1 Poole Town 0 (Saturday 15^th September 2018) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 263)

This was a tetchy game as it progressed. The three points came after debutant Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick was brought down in the area on ten minutes with German firing home from the spot.

It looked like a comfortable home win was in store. Chappell was providing some fantastic deliveries, but they lacked conversion. Poole gradually got into the game. They hit the bar before the break and then piled on the pressure after half time in spells.

Dons defended valiantly, with Boness having another fine game in goal. There was plenty of tension and Hendon made up for poor ball retention with effort and commitment. Hunte missed a great chance to double the lead late on.

Hendon P Phoenix Sports P (Saturday 22^nd October 2018) FA Cup Second Qualifying Round

The match was postponed at 9.30pm on the Friday evening before the scheduled game owing to an FA investigation into Phoenix playing an ineligible player in their replay win against Lancing.

Programmes were printed, food and beer ordered and volunteers sought meaning that the very late notification was inconvenient and particularly well received!

Hendon 1 Lancing 1 (Tuesday 2^nd October 2018) FA Cup Second Qualifying Round (att: 177)

My brother Nick joined me on car park duty for this re-arranged game and we had a great laugh. There was two divisions difference between the sides and it showed in the early stages. Hendon had all the play with the Lancers defence sitting deep and remaining resolute.

The opening eventually came after twenty four minutes from a fine individual goal from Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick. Tyler D'Cruz continued to do a good job in the visitors’ net, while Jack Langford cut a lone furrow up front.

D’Cruz was forced to make some fine saves from German, who was guilty of holding onto the ball too much. Too many of the Hendon side were taking the game too casually. Skipper Lee Chappell clipped the top of the bar with a free kick.

The Dons were made to pay with fifteen minutes to go when Langford broke between defenders Luke Tingey and Romario Jonas to fire home. Prince Mbengui brought out a superb save from D’Cruz, but in truth the Greens midfielder should have scored.

It took a fine save from Danny Boness to keep out Matt Daniel in the last couple of minutes to keep Hendon in the competition. That would have been harsh on the hosts, even if Lancing did deserve their draw and a replay the following Sunday.

Hendon 3 Wimborne Town 2 (Saturday 20th October 2018) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 215)

This was a fantastic advert for non-league football as both sides played some brilliant entertaining end to end football. The game could well have ended 6-6. Romario Jonas opened the scoring when he guided the ball in off his mid drift before Town equalised with a simple goal through the heart of the Dons defence from Toby Holmes.

Ricardo German restored the hosts lead ten minutes before the interval before Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick made it 3-1 with an absolute cracker right on the stroke of half time after both sides had created and missed ample chances.

The style of play was copied in the second period as Danny Bones sans Wimborne keeper Gerard Benfield pulled off some top saves. The deficit was narrowed on the hour mark from a rebound from Franklyn Clarke after Boness had kept out his initial penalty.

The keepers continued to excel, with the visitors pouring forward to try and grab a point. Hendon just about deserved to hang on at the final whistle, as the crowd lapped up their monies worth.

Hendon 2 Staines Town 1 (Saturday 27th October 2018) FA Trophy First Qualifying Round (att: 169)

I genuinely thought it wasn’t going to be my day. Delays getting away from work necessitated in me taking a black cab from Wembley Park. My driver performed wonders to deliver me for kick off. I paid to get in, only to be reminded I’d sponsored the programme and was entitled to free admission!

My pal Jeff Cards joined me as we enjoyed another good game of football at SJP; where the talk was of the hair of Staines temporary boss Barry Silkman. Andy Ali put his side ahead on nine minutes as the Dons side were to awake from a slumber.

Lee Chappell was unlucky not to level with a brilliant free kick, while visiting custodian Max Harris was a busy man. It was all Hendon, although they nearly got caught on the break. It took until the fifty third minute for the leveller to arrive, as Connor Calcutt smashed home following a scramble.

Cole Brown put the hosts ahead with a screamer from twenty five yards. Harris continued his fine form to restrict Hendon, even if they had a few anxious moments of their own at the back. Jeff and I celebrated with a few pints and a magnificent meal at Lahore Spice at the top of the hill!

Hendon 2 Biggleswade Town 1 (Saturday 10th November 2018) FA Trophy Second Qualifying Round (att: 223)

Back to car parking duties, we were full early for me to relax on the day before departing on another Thailand adventure. It was an absolutely filthy day as the rain battered down as a closely fought game took place.

Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick saw an early effort come crashing back off the crossbar but he was not to be denied early in the second half from a fine Bayley Brown pass. Dons were keeping a tight reign on the Waders foray but were dealt a blow when Adam Pepera was shown a straight red card eleven minutes from time.

Tom Smith headed home the resulting free kick at the back post. Boness did well to save two quickfire efforts before Calcutt set up Gianni Crichlow who missed a golden opportunity to put Hendon through. Former Dons players Matt Ball and Joe White had good games for the visitors, and it was the latter who snatched a last minute win when his shot was spilled by Boness.

Several drinks followed in the clubhouse and then the Midland Hotel with Steve Barnes and John Rogers. I was certainly not 100% as I made my way to Gatwick the following morning.

Hendon 3 Merthyr Town 0 (Saturday 1^st December 2018) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 249)

A day when your faith is restored, and you remember why you get involved with a club. It was another dreary damp day in NW London, but the people brightened it up. The Merthyr fans were excellent friendly supporters which helped the car parking duties pass quickly.

Rob and Tom had knocked beer down to £3, which plenty were taking advantage of, leading to a vocal atmosphere. Merthyr’s rookie keeper Josh Gould, on loan from Swansea City, showed early nerves which led to an error which Cole Brown snaffled to put the Dons 1-0 ahead.

New signing Matty Harriott was having a fine debut in midfield alongside under 23 star, Riccardo Alexander-Greenaway. Harriott set Brown up unselfishly to double the lead before the break following a fine passing move.

Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick scored a superb goal after the break in which the visitors were lucky to only have their skipper dismissed by referee Lisa Benn who had a decent game despite being totally let down by linesman Ioannis Chrisodoulou who was most inefficient.

The clubhouse was a happy place post-match with players, management and fans all enjoying the win. I decided to continue long into the night in JJ Moons in Kingsbury continuing friendships both old and new. I paid for it the following day!

Hendon 1 Metropolitan Police 3 (Tuesday 11th December 2018) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 151)

Just to prove how difficult it must be to manage the inconsistent Dons side, they put in a performance where everything that could go wrong did. It was a cold dry evening as keeper Boness seemingly saved well at the feet of a Met forward.

Unfortunately, referee Steven Rae saw it differently, gave a penalty that was promptly converted by the excellent Jack Mazzone and sent off boss Jimmy Gray for his feedback. It was an insipid Dons first half performance but there was little in the game.

Just before the break Adam Pepera made a howler attempting a back pass which Max Blackmore capitalised on to go through and score. Jeff Cards was at the game with me and we took solace with the fine Chestnut Ale in the bar.

Hendon looked a different side after the interval. They were competitive and looked dangerous. German scored a fine individual goal as the team put the Blues under intense pressure. The game became scrappy which was helping the hosts.

With fifteen minutes remaining Boness scuffed a clearance which went straight to Bayley Mummery who made no mistake. Hendon tried to rally but the Met ran out deserved winners. Consolation came from the fine collection towards the food bank and enjoying a good drink with excellent people.

Hendon 0 Frome Town 1 (Saturday 22^nd December 2018) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 223)

The Dons continued on a worrying run even though they put in an improved performance. The kept the ball far better but failed to create any clear cut chances. Centre back Darren Locke made an impressive debut.

The frustration was compounded when Frome substitute Ryan Bath was found in acres of space just inside the Hendon area and he placed the ball past Boness to spark wild celebrations on the visitor’s bench.

James Carey pulled off a fantastic save in the closing stages to push Locke’s header against the crossbar.

Hendon 1 Kings Langley 2 (Saturday 5^th January 2019) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 236)

Another frustrating afternoon for Hendon fans at SJP that looked to be heading so well after fifty minutes. I carried out car park duties and had to go to work at full time so I really wanted to see a home win to make up for my lack of social activity.

Elliott Charles had rejoined the club from Wealdstone and came off the bench before scoring with a towering header on twenty one minutes. Hendon were playing some fine football with their new formation of just three at the back. Optimism was restored in the clubhouse at half time.

The Kings Langley management made a brilliant tactical change at the break, which would change the game. Mitchell Weiss presence in midfield was significant. The away side equalised with a Callum Adebiyi header from a corner.

Confidence drained out of the Dons players and supporters alike. Another Kings Langley header hit the bar with Boness beaten before the ball dropped with Josh Coldicott-Stevens forcing the ball over the line in the ensuing melee.

Greens midfielder Matty Harriott was given a straight red card by the excellent referee for a shocking challenge in the closing stages to round off a shocking second half.

Hendon 2 Tiverton Town 1 (Saturday 19^th January 2019) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 252)

Hendon were on a shocking run having lost their previous eight games. It was a special day at SJP as the match was dedicated to the memory of former Dons player Dermot Drummy who tragically took his own life in December 2017.

His passing had seen the club and venue embark on several mental health initiatives with Dermot’s former teammates accepting an invitation to the game. It created a special atmosphere. The Tiverton supporters were also a great bunch.

My niece, Sally, attended her first game along with a couple of colleagues from Middlesex University. She was working with SJP to help a couple of students find work placement to assist with their courses. I was immensely proud and so happy that all three enjoyed themselves.

Hendon also did the business; well at least in the first half, with a much improved performance. Goals from Bayley Brown and Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick sent the Greens up the tunnel with a two goal lead at the break.

However, quick responses from Mike Landricombe and Tom Bath restored parity. Neither side could capitalise on the half chances created thereafter. It had been a good game of football and a semblance of positivity purveyed in the bar after the game; where a roaring trade was done.

Hendon P Weymouth P (Tuesday 22nd January 2019) Southern League Premier Division South

The weather was the winner as a severe snowstorm descended on SJP from 5.45 onwards. Within an hour the pitch, surrounds and car park were covered in a good layer of the white stuff. It wasn’t the easiest of shifts on the car park.

The Weymouth team coach arrived along with an occasional supporter. Not too many Hendon fans left the house. Indeed, no cash was taken. Fans were directed into warmth of the clubhouse.

The referee called the game off at just gone 7pm. There was no way the pitch could be prepared despite the snow stopping. The Weymouth contingent were most understanding, as both managers shook hands. I advised any arriving fans of the postponement at the bottom of the drive.

A huddle of us hung around and enjoyed a few beers while helping to eat the food that the Weymouth coachload didn’t require while enjoying the company before heading away. In my case to JJ Moon’s in Kingsbury!

Hendon 2 Salisbury 2 (Saturday 2nd February 2019) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 283)

I eventually arrived at the game ten minutes before the break, not in the best of moods after my relief at work didn't turn up until the last possible moment. At least the Dons were ahead by this point through a goal from Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick.

However, the visitors equalised in slightly controversial circumstances right on the break through former Wealdstone player Josh Fitchett. They went ahead not long after half time through the same player and came close on other occasions.

Hendon battled hard with substitute Connor Calcutt making a huge difference when he came on, holding the ball up and generally giving the Salisbury defence something to think about. 

It looked like it wasn't to be the Dons day until the final seconds. Fellow sub Ogo Obi held the ball up, played it wide to Hippolyte-Patrick who put in a great cross to the back post where Calcutt rose like an eagle to power home a header.

The atmosphere in the bar afterwards was already joyful and further enhanced when England hammered Ireland in the rugby in Dublin. Belief was growing among the Hendon squad. It was a good place to be.

Edgware Town 1 Harpenden Town 2 (Tuesday 19^th February 2019) Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division (att: 51)

The original clash between the two sides had been abandoned because of snow earlier in the month with the score at 2-2. Steve Speller and Richard decided to join me for the entertaining rescheduled clash on an increasingly cold evening at SJP.

The first half was all Harpenden as the Wares goal led a charmed life. Centre forward Charlie Gould was causing all kinds of problems before Jake Davis made it 1-0 on eighteen minutes. The hosts must have been happy not to head up the tunnel two or three down at the break.

Some superb skill from full back William Tadjalli saw him being brought down in the box shortly after the restart with Ivan Machado making no mistake from the spot. However, the lead didn’t last long as Harry Hunt restored Harpenden’s lead.

Edgware pushed forward but couldn’t find a way through, with veteran Scott McGleish the best footballer on the park. Hendon duel signing Tyriq Hunte had a couple of opportunist shots, but it wasn’t to be. We headed back to Kingsbury to warm ourselves in the pub. 

Hendon 0 Gosport Borough 4 (Saturday 23^rd February 2019) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 226)

Where to start? I was in confident mood greeting all and sundry while on main gate duties, if a little jaded thanks to the usual shift work pattern. My general bonhomie was different a few hours later.

Hendon were outfought by a hungrier side making far less mistakes. A free header from Tony Lee opened the scoring midway through the first half. Gosport were harshly reduced to ten men when Mike Carter was shown a second yellow.

Seconds later keeper Boness came out of his box to head clear a through ball which landed at the feet of pressure free George Baker who superbly struck a half volley into the empty net from close to the half way line.

Lee added a third after the break with a deflected shot, before an absolute howler from Boness saw Ryan Pennery dispossess him and slot home. Oh, and England then lost at rugby to Wales. At least the beer and company was good.

Hendon 2 Weymouth 3 (Tuesday 26th February 2019) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 251)

My colleague Andy Robertson did me a huge favour taking me off early so that I could attend the re-arranged match. I met Sally and walked down for what was a good night up and lovely catch up as well as a really good game of football.

It was a completely different Hendon display from a few days previous. From the off they pressured and played a fantastic high tempo game. However, they failed to take the opportunities created apart from a slightly deflected goal from Matty Harriott.

Not for the first time we were in confident mood in the bar at half time, only to have our hopes dashed. Weymouth introduced substitute Josh Wakefield for former Scarborough man Cameron Murray after an hour and it proved to be a wise call.

Danny Boness had been dropped and replaced by Andrew McCorkell, whose previous league appearance in a Greens shirt a couple of years earlier ended in a 5-4 defeat to Harrow Borough in which some of his shot stopping was dubious.

On sixty seven minutes Jordan Ngalo cut inside for ‘The Terras’ and shot from around twenty five yards. The ball went in over the head of the badly positioned and slightly immobile McCorkell.

The visitors went ahead a few minutes later when the marvellously named Brandon Goodship saw his deflected shot go straight through the keeper. The stopper was helpless when Jake McCarthy made it 3-1 with a fine shot from range.

In the final minute of normal time sub Ogo Obi scored with an excellent free kick, but it was too little too late for the hosts. It had nevertheless been a good performance which was light years away from their previous capitulation.

Sally joined the two Steve’s in JJ Moons in Kingsbury as we enjoyed a few drinks and a proper chat. A decent night out, even if I did realise on leaving the pub that I’d left my bag at the ground!

Hendon 1 Basingstoke Town 0 (Saturday 2^nd March 2019) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 259)

Happiness returned to SJP by way of a vital if at times scrappy win against a poor Dragons outfit who showed all the nervy features of a side lacking confidence, especially at the back. In fact, they were a bit like Hendon around the festive period.

Keeper McCorkell kept his place, which shocked many fans. I personally thought it was the wrong call. However, I don’t mind being proven wrong if it means a win for the team. The stopper made at least three excellent stops throughout the game.

Matty Harriott had an outstanding game, covering every part of the SJP pitch, with Jacob Gardiner-Smith also putting in an impressive performance. Connor Calcutt made all the difference up front holding up the ball and winning headers after coming on.

By then the Greens were ahead when Charlie Smith slotted home a corner at the back post. The hosts went on to create several half chances which were frustratingly not capitalised upon. Basingstoke bounced back in the last few minutes making it a nervous finale.

The final whistle was greeted with jubilation by players and fans alike as Hendon took a vital step towards sealing their safety from relegation. Remarkably, I had a sensible early night ready for an early start at work.

Hendon 0 Hartley Wintney 2 (Saturday 23^rd March 2019) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 275)

The Dons had won their previous away game at bottom club Staines Town but needed a few points to ensure survival in the division. It wasn’t to be on this occasion as Jimmy Gray admitted to making a poor change in recalling Howard Hall at full back.

That sounds harsh on the full back, but the truth is that winger Salhin Abubaker gave him nightmares before being withdrawn. By then Hendon were 1-0 down as the wide man got loose once again.

The ball into the middle led to pinball in the area as shots hit the woodwork and were frantically blocked before Mitchell Parker thumped the ball home. Paul Strudley made a tremendous stop from Charlie Smith as he diverted the shot onto the bar to deny the hosts a leveller.

Hendon continued to press. Following another corner, it appeared a Hartley player controlled the ball with his arm outside the box, but it set up a rapid counter attack. The ball was played forward where it seemed that two attackers were in offside positions.

Play continued, keeper McCorkell came out and fired his clearance straight to an attacking player. He dragged the forward down to try to rectify the situation only to be correctly shown a red card by the referee, who got plenty of other decisions wrong.

Lee Chappell took over in goal and did an excellent job for the remainder of the game. Michael Campbell doubled the visitors lead seven minutes after the break as Hendon huffed and puffed in front of goal. Strudley made a decent stop from a Smith free kick.

Hendon’s day was rounded off in the final minute as midfielder Marvin Harriott was sent off for an off the ball incident.

Hendon 2 Taunton Town 3 (Saturday 20^th April 2019) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 263)

The visiting Peacocks were still in the hunt for the league title when they arrived and departed SJP following a fine game of football. I was on car park duty and enjoyed meeting the visiting players and fans who seemed a good bunch.

Town top scorer Andrew “Rocky” Neal put his side ahead on six minutes with a good strike past Chris Grace after being left unmarked. Hendon fought straight back and grew into the game before equalising after twenty six minutes as Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick scored an excellent individual goal.

Within a minute Taunton were back ahead as Neal was again given the freedom of SJP to rifle home an unstoppable angled shot. Shane White came close to making it 3-1 as the interval loomed as his header was cleared off the line.

Visiting goalie Lloyd Irish made a top save from sub Ogo Obi before Neal completed his hat trick from the penalty spot in the final minute. Obi reduced the arrears with a cracking strike in stoppage time, but it wasn’t to be for the hosts.

After the game we enjoyed the usual hospitality before six of us took a taxi to the Midland Hotel, where plentiful ale was put away as the camaraderie of following a non-league football club overcame any earlier disappointment.