Silver Jubilee Park 2020-21

Hendon 3 Wingate & Finchley 1 AET (Tuesday 25^th August 2020) London Senior Cup Semi Final (att: 50)

The first game back at SJP was under unusual and difficult circumstances owing to the Coronavirus restrictions. The ground undertook a test event as the clubhouse was still being refurbished and it was felt that just a small attendance would allow everyone to fine tune before allowing 200 fans to attend the following friendly against St Albans City.

This meant that the delayed semi-final from the previous season would be played in front of just 50 supporters, with some of the places allotted to the visitors and the local FA. The club ticked off the names of members of the trust and supporters board as they arrived as well as players who were not allowed guests.

A few extra tried to gain attendance but had to be turned away. As a match volunteer I was fortunate enough to be allowed in. The weather made it feel like a continuation of the previous season as a wintry night greeted us with high winds and occasional heavy rain.

We saw a most decent feisty game in trying conditions with the Dons playing some fine attacking football in a very promising performance against a team with plenty of pace who went ahead before the break as Goldy Capela scored for Wingate & Finchley.

Both keepers, Jonathan North and Fergal Hale-Brown were forced into good saves before the Dons equalised with twenty minutes remaining when Eddie Oshodi powered home a header from a Shaun Lucien corner.

The match went to extra time, which wasn’t ideal personally as I was up early the following day for another three day break in Germany. However, I was soon cheered when the non-stop Liam Brooks scored an absolute beauty from the edge of the box.

Substitute Samrai Gabri rounded off the scoring to send Hendon to the final when he fired home the rebound after a Brooks shot was saved in the second period of extra time. It had been an interesting and worthwhile evening all round.

Hendon 0 Truro City 4 (Saturday 26^th September 2020) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 336)

I should have had an inkling as to what was to come when my relief took me off slightly early at work so I could get to the game, only to find myself stuck on the only defective train of the day at Northwick Park for fifteen minutes.

For the first time in living memory there were no taxis at Wembley Park meaning I missed the first ten minutes of the match. It was a relief to see John Rogers on the gate and use my season ticket.

While it was 0-0 on my arrival, it soon became evident who were the dominant side. Truro’s Niall Thompson, was top class, continually causing havoc with his marauding runs and service into the middle.

He and his pals were up against a Hendon side suffering from injuries but took full advantage. Thompson provided opposite wing back Connor Riley-Lowe with a tap in at the far post on fourteen minutes.

The Dons were weakened further when returning centre back Tommy Smith hobbled off. The hosts rallied and put in a good shift. Brooks saw an effort go just wide after the break. However, the White Tigers strength took over.

On the hour mark Dan Rooney tapped home another Thompson cross. Four minutes later the other Greens centre back Tommy Brewer limped off, after which the corner hit the hand of Kieran Forbes in the box. Tyler Harvey put away the spot kick.

The scoring was rounded off eleven minutes from time. Keeper North made a brilliant save from full back Simeon Olarerin’s misguided header. Andrew Neal who’d scored a hat trick at the ground for Taunton Town in April 2019 followed up to slot home.

4-0 might have been a tad unfair on the bedraggled Dons, but I had the impression that the highly effective White Tigers had more in the tank if required.

While I have never played anywhere near this level, I become ever more frustrated that teams have no Plan B to deal with a wind blowing down the pitch. I never needed a second invitation when playing up front in local football to shoot from positions I wouldn't normally try.

Time after time teams tended to play the same way without any allowance and see the ball going out over the dead ball line. Similarly, with corners. Always aim between the penalty spot and six-yard line and let the wind do the rest.

I digress from my lament. It was a pleasure as ever to pop down to SJP, with the decent attendance adding to the occasion. I was greatly honoured to see my picture on the clubhouse wall when others deserve the accolade.

The newly upgraded and smart clubhouse ran really well with table service with the Westway Pale Ale going a long way to erasing the memory of travel problems or the result while in amiable company reminding me that football is only a game.

Hendon 0-1 Maidstone United (Saturday 3^rd October 2020) FA Cup Second Qualifying Round (Att: 310)

The rulings over attendances related to government and FA guidance around COVID-19 continued to cause consternation and confusion to football fans everywhere. Step 3 of non-league was still the highest level of the game to allow in spectators.

A plumb home draw in the FA Cup against Maidstone, who had a good away following, looked to attract something heading towards the SJP limit of the day of 600. That was until further regulations were issued.

The three National Leagues were designated as being elite, because some clubs insisted on finishing the previous season through behind closed doors play-offs. As such the FA released a statement that said fans of elite clubs could not attend the cup ties.

The match had already been made all ticket. Unfortunately, some Stones fans had purchased tickets by the time of the ruling. This led to an extremely stressful week for the outstanding Hendon secretary Daz Bloor along with the rest of the board.

Refunds were issued, but on the day, we still had no idea as to how many Maidstone fans would turn up and gain admission. Hendon had put out a clear statement as to the regulations. I was on car park duty for the game.

A few extra stewards were brought in, just in case of any issues. There were probably a small number of neutrals from Kent inside but if so, they behaved sensibly. Six youths decided to imbibe and not really hide any support of the Stones and were denied admission.

They chose to stand on the small hill outside the ground and sing their way through. At half time Dons director David Bedford took them a drink each outside. At full time Maidstone boss Hakan Hayrettin sent his town over the fence to thank them. Not brilliant on a social distance front, but a warm understandable gesture.

On the pitch it was a real arm wrestle. I thought we were destined for penalties until the one clear cut chance of the tie was put away thirteen minutes from time when a deflected cross fell in the box to Ibbi Olutade who made no mistake.

There was no way back for the hosts. Maidstone player-coach and giant centre back George Elokobi was superb, with him and full back Gavin Hoyte both carrying Premier League experience.

Pride was my overall reaction when eventually settling to some excellent Autumn Red Portabello ale in the bar after the game. In Hendon's performance and that of the way the day went. An interesting day for all connected with HFC and SJP, which I went as well as could be as could be hoped for.

Hendon 1 Hayes & Yeading United 1 (Tuesday 5^th October 2020) Southern League Premier Division South (Att: 237)

This was a cracking local derby with lots of pace, passion, skill, endeavour and some proper old hard but fair challenges, generally refereed very well by Michael Smith.

The Dons took the lead against the run of play through Jayden Clarke against a most impressive United outfit who squandered a few opportunities and found returning keeper Rihards Matrevics, in for the injured Jonathan North, in fine form.

The second half saw plenty of end to end action with the visitors making a smart substitution and tactical change. Defensive midfielder Solomon Sambou put in a real shift for the Greens winning challenges and leading the charge. His best game for the club.

After numerous good chances, the equaliser came on seventy-three minutes when a long throw wasn’t dealt with to allow ex Hendon loanee Francis Amartey to tap in from close range.

A draw was probably about right. The only downer on the night was an injury sustained to the hosts highly promising right back Simeon Olarerin from a naughty challenge from another ex-Don Dylan Kearney.

Excellent company as ever down at SJP which made my visits a joy working alongside other volunteers and then watching with other fans. I even got an end of the barrel pint of fine Autumn Red.

It might have been step 3 non-league but I had been to far worse Football League games over the years. Most enjoyable.

Hendon 4 Hartley & Wintney 0 (Saturday 10^th October 2020) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 297)

A fantastic day out and most efficient victory without the Dons being particularly pushed. My brother Nick came down on the train from York with John, a friend of his from Heworth CC and met up with me in the Midland at Hendon.

The fine ale continued at the ground before Joe White scored the opening goal on three minutes. Shaun Lucien’s cross evaded everyone to creep into the far corner before the interval after plenty of pressure.

Soon after the break it was three as a bullet header from Toby Byron connected with a corner. A flowing move in quick succession saw the ball laid square and Jayden Clarke place the ball past the keeper who was perhaps a little slow to come out.

Just as pleasing as the win was the feedback from John on his first visit. It was all positive stuff. It did make me smile that the one thing he quickly became aware of was how polite and appreciative the fans were in comparison to games up north.

Photo by Derek Beech with an enthusiastic fan applauding

A swift walk after the game across to Hendon station was followed by train and bus rides to try and get inside the Southampton Arms and then Tapping the Admiral. Both are magnificent pubs and busy. There was an unmoving queue at the first with bookings only at the second.

The Grafton offered salvation for a couple of al fresco ales before heading to the Euston Tap via Camden where more superb beers were quaffed while we recalled our old days watching matches and life in general.

A truly wonderful few hours and a sense of what normal should feel like.

Hendon 2 Brentford B 6 (Tuesday 20^th October 2020) London Senior Cup Round Two (Att: 176)

Wow. What a first half performance from the junior Bees. They were absolutely outstanding followed by a fine fightback from the Dons.

A repeat of the 2019-20 final played just a few weeks ago, and remarkably ahead of many round one ties this time around. I was impressed while on main gate duties at the professional way the visitors approached the game.

Coach, cameras, skips full of kit and full backroom team. The lead guy asked if we’d be turning on the floodlights before kick-off? Yeah, very funny! They were already on. Hendon were destroyed by pace, power and clinical finishing after missing a guilt edged chance to equalise. It was a pleasure to watch the Bees in full flow.

As in many cases where a team put in several during the first period, Brentford couldn’t replicate their relentless style after the break. Credit must be given to the understrength Dons side and manager Lee Allinson, who adjusted things at the break while still trying to give members of the squad lacking minutes on the pitch a fair go.

Both hosts goals were netted by Joe White, who looked a different player after his first, with confidence restored. It was a shame when the excellent referee Steve Walsh blew his whistle for full time. Both sides left the field to a well deserved ovation from the appreciative and knowledgeable crowd.

Hendon 2 Farnborough 0 (Tuesday 27^th October 2020) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 238)

Hendon secured a regulation home victory on a cold evening at SJP with a cracking opening individual goal from Shaun Lucien which was backed up by a Joe White tap in when teed up by the opening scorer after fine work from Jaden Clarke.

There was drama just after the break when substituted Boro player Michael Fernandes collapsed walking round the pitch. Dons secretary Daz Bloor leaped over the fence to administer treatment as he was joined by physios of both clubs. Fortunately, the player recovered enough to walk to an ambulance that arrived in quick time.

The visitor’s played far better in the second period without ever getting a clear shot on goal, while the Greens stuttered, with the midfield not having their greatest of nights. Our second half nearside linesman gave, or not gave, some remarkable offside decisions.

Hendon 5 Edgware Town 4 (Tuesday 8^th December 2020) Friendly (att: 90)

An attempt was made to try and get football moving again around the uncertainty of the latest C19 lockdowns. Wares probably needed the game more as they had an FA Vase tie the following Saturday, while Dons weren't sure of their next competitive action.

It was an extremely cold evening. The track and trace duties proved easy enough as we knew virtually every spectator, who were well versed in the protocol. Sadly no refreshments whatsoever were on sale owing to local council regulations but still good to catch up with friends and fellow fans.

It was entertaining enough fare in the freezing cold. Hendon went 3-0 up through a Liam Brooks hattrick after Wares missed the chance to go ahead when they had a penalty saved but they carried on to put up a spirited display with lots of new players trying to impress manager Rak Hudson. The showed plenty of pace and invention.

Hendon played a mixture of players and got some useful match time in for players gradually coming back from injury. A cracking goal from Shaun Lucien the stand out along with the usual energy of Liam Brooks.

Tooting & Mitcham United 2 AFC Wimbledon u23s 1 (Monday 31^st May 2021) London Senior Cup Final (att: 561)

A crazy, frustrating and truncated season finally came to an end at SJP in the same competition in which it started, albeit for a different season what with postponements of several months.

Unfortunately, I only made the second half. I’d been visiting Scarborough for the birthday of my mate Karl. I’d no crystal ball to hand when I booked my train tickets several months earlier. My fixed tickets got me into King’s Cross a minute or two after the scheduled 1pm kick-off.

There was no way I was going to miss out totally on the event after I emailed someone at the London FA to explain my situation and secure a place. The Met line and Thameslink were up the creek because of engineering works, not helping my journey.

Nous played a part as I took the Northern line to Golders Green and then a bus whose driver seemed to sense I was in a hurry as he went as slow as possible. I jumped out at Hendon Magistrates Court and walked across the park.

The friendly official told me not to worry about paying and told me I’d not missed much as the game had kicked off slightly late and was 0-0 at the interval. Catching up with friends from football and cricket I took a place in a familiar position down the side.

My immediate impression when the sides returned was that it was men against boys, at least in build. Some of companions moaned about the pitch. Crikey, we have no football for months and they still find something’s not right.

I was maybe a bit grumpy with hangover and the news that Scarborough football legend Colin Appleton had passed away, so I got on the defensive for my wonderful friends who do their very best at SJP.

The Wombles had six players featuring numbers between 43 and 77. They probably had better technical skills but lost out in the pace and power stakes. Jake Rose rounded the young Dons keeper Harry Griffiths but couldn’t finish from a tight angle.

However, the Terrors went up twenty minutes from time through over playing by the Wimbledon keeper and defenders. Daniel Williams stead himself to set up Rose who made no mistake as he finished calmly.

The lead was doubled shortly after when a well delivered deep corner from Dontai Stewart was nodded in at the back post by Mark Waters, setting off jubilant scenes behind the goal from the large vocal Tooting following.

Dylan Adjei-Hersey fired a free kick over the bar as Wimbledon looked to get back into the match. He then produced some wonderful close control and trickery in the box. His final effort was blocked, but Morgan Williams pounced to reduce the arrears.

Kesna Clark was denied for Tooting by Griffiths in the closing stages as his team held on before celebrating in front of their supporters. It looked about the right result on what I’d witnessed.

I turned down the invite of beers with my regular Hendon pals. Another beer after my heavy weekend would probably not have been a bright idea. I also had to decline a visit to JJ Moons with the other chaps I walked up with. It was time for food and a nap before night shift!