Betty's Blue Boys 6 The Peoples FC 1 (Sunday 4th July 2021) United
Charity League (att: c20)
An unexpected bonus to start the season at SJP found on Twitter on Sunday morning. The United Charity League was played since May containing a mixture of charity sides, of which I didn't really know the standard of.
The hosts are named in honour of the young daughter of Hendon manager Lee Allinson who raised lots of money for charity with bike rides during lockdown for the North Herts Garden House Hospice. The visitors a Mental Health awareness club from Plumstead.
A smattering of non-league players along with several veterans took the stage for the slightly delayed kick-off as Mrs Allinson was despatched back to Stevenage for the forgotten kit. Lee Allinson rolled back the years as he bagged a hat trick, with Hendon forward Joe White also netting a brace.
Edgware keeper Charlie Patmore was between the sticks for the side also fielding another Don and an Arlesey Town youngster. The game was closer than the scoreline suggests, as The Peoples drew level before conceding a second just before the interval.
The match was refereed by the veteran Hendon programme editor who did his best to keep control along with his assistants. There was certainly no charity shown between the sides in what at times was a niggly and naughty contest. Raising money by way of a swear box would have certainly swelled the coffers.
Decent enough entertainment and a few quid for a worthwhile cause through donations in lieu of admission fee.
Edgware Town 4 Athletic Newham 2 (Tuesday 20th July 2021) Friendly (att: c25)
Entertaining enough fare with free admission. Wares had lots of new players, some of whom who I call 5-a-side players with lots of skill and fancy touches, but would they have the nous and guts against bigger and better organised sides? Time would tell as they embarked on their debut Combined Counties season. I had my doubts.
Regardless of which they scored a couple of absolute pearlers among their four. The first a swerving drive from outside the box from left back and my star man Liam Magwood. The second, a brilliant free kick from Anthony Atilola which no keeper would stop.
3-0 at half time after Novell Bruce beat the oft lamentable offside trap badly organised by the visitors, who were mysteriously clad in a yellow and green kit of Cricklewood Wanderers, not ideal with the hosts in all green.
Newham pulled two back after the interval to set up a decent finale before the epitome of an individualist, or greedy bugger, Moe Kahdum put the game to bed with a fine goal. My intention had been to accept a ride from Stanmore to Kings Langley v Slough Town but the torrential downpour changed my mind.
A late kick off at SJP owing to the usual faffing about. Some of these modern 'ballers' or whatever they called themselves, needed a rocket up their rears. A bottle of Magners at the game followed by several ales in the Kingsbury JDW in convivial company.
Nice to see old faces and have an interesting volatile discussion on football finances with someone of a polar opposite viewpoint.
Hendon 1 Arsenal u18s 3 (Friday 30th July 2021) Friendly (att: 947)
I managed to attend this auspicious occasion after a change of flight back down from Glasgow following a fine previous day in Edinburgh. It was wonderful to see such a big crowd inside SJP.
Good organisation I think, without trying to be biased. Former World Record runner in David Bedford selling the 50/50 draw tickets a unique feature.
Arsenal's first touch and that little bit of extra pace too good in the first half, though Joe White missed a good opportunity to put the Dons ahead and the excellent Sean Lucien hot the bar for the first time as he lobbed the keeper just before the interval.
A good second half performance from Hendon. A brilliant curling shot from a short free kick making it 3-0. The consolation from Hamza Semakula had a huge suspicion of offside about it, but so did the Gunners opener, so the bench side linesman evened things up.
A good evening, he only dampener being another three injuries picked up by the hosts.
Hendon 2 Hayes & Yeading United 6 (Tuesday 17th August 2021) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 315)
Back to life, back to reality as the song went. An entertaining match for a neutral I guess, as I got back into the car park duty routine.
The Greens went 2-0 up after 20 minutes with goals from Jayden Clarke and one from the half way line from former Missioner Christian Smith, the second time Hendon have scored from that distance in 3 years past keeper Jack Smith, brother of home defender Tommy.
All good with confidence high on the pitch and in the stands after a 4-0 opening day win at Truro. Hayes, however, were dangerous at the same time. Omar Rowe's free kick came back off the post to Hassan Jalloh who finished. It was 2-2 when Moses Emmanuel smashed home a beauty.
There were knowing worrying nods among the home fans at the break. Hayes went into overdrive. Home keeper Fred Burbridge made a dozy challenge to bring down Emmanuel, who picked himself up to put the penalty straight down the middle.
Dons skipper Tommy Brewer hobbled off shortly after and that sealed any doubt as former Hendon loanee Francis Amartey made it 4-2. Burbridge made amends with a few good saves either side of Brewer's replacement Tommy Smith going off injured, leaving the hosts with 10 men.
Hayes made hay as Emmanuel scored another couple, while other chances were wasted. It was somewhat of a relief when the final whistle sounded. We hung around, wishing to applaud the visitors off. It was the best performance from an away side at SJP.
Unfortunately, they decided to have a huddle on the pitch, and were still at it for 5 minutes when we left for beers at Colindale JDW and to somehow try and pick an England team for the Third Test. The best we could come up with was hoping there are some openers among the Afghan refugees.
Hendon v Wimborne Town (Saturday 25th September 2021) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 198)
A belting
day out. Brother Nick was down with his mates from York, meaning me getting up
early for a fry up at West Hampstead before meeting them at Kings Cross. We
were quickly on a bus that dumped us at the excellent Southampton Arms,
followed by the Magdala, with all impressed by both pubs and the beers on
offer.
We’d been joined by John Rogers, then the two Steve’s at the second boozer, on their route to watch Orient. Only, that’s where Mr Barnes’ journey ended as he got in a taxi with us back to SJP, with our driver proudly telling us that his son plays for one of Hendon's youth sides. His knowledge was handy too, finding a quick route to avoid petrol snarl ups.
The Dons
should have been 2 up before they gave a free header to Callum Chugg who put
the visitors ahead. The hosts were denied a clear penalty before the break, with
the linesman close to the incident continuing to give an erratic performance
towards both sides.
After the interval Liam Brooks soon levelled. Kyen Nicholas, a beast of a forward who suffered a bad injury 10 months previously, came off the bench as he gradually gets minutes under his belt. He scored an absolute beauty.
If I was
analysing the cause of the goal from a Wimborne viewpoint, I'd put it down to
the defenders being petrified of the big man. The visiting goalie will have
been disappointed to let a low Hamza Semakula effort beat him before the end.
A happy crew decamped to The Midland by Hendon national rail station, where the JHB and Citra from the Oakham stable both proved popular. The lads headed towards St Pancras for their train home, while a couple of us were stuck in Kingsbury High Road on the bus because of the pre mentioned petrol queues.
Chicken
masala and onion bhajis for tea. A nice surprise too having an old article I
penned featuring in the match programme. As I said, a proper day out with Radio
5 later waking me from my slumber with boxing commentary.
Hendon 1 Tiverton Town 2 (Saturday 9th October 2021) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 193)
In between night shifts as the realisation that I would
soon be heading to Thailand began to hit home. Naturally, many thoughts ran
through my head as the move gradually got closer. I was in a content mood and reflected
on just how good supporting Hendon had been for me.
I bought a 50/50 ticket sold by Dave Bedford. I don't suppose many clubs have a world record holder helping in such a way. A lovely man. Then there was admission by season ticket, which the club had kindly decided could be used from the previously interrupted campaign.
A late kick-off by twenty minutes as the visitors were hit by delays near the end of their ridiculously long journey on the North Circular Road. I suppose at least it allowed for an extra pint and extended chatter in the beautifully refurbished clubhouse.
Tiverton got off to a good start, but the Dons gained
control and scored through Joe White and were generally in command. The away
bench was angry with at the far side lino. I thought he wasn't so bad.
At least in comparison to referee Stephen Parkinson, whose interpretation of the laws seemed to be that defenders could do as they pleased but forwards could hardly fart without being pulled up.
Tivvy equalised with a fine effort from Dan Hayfield, taking advantage of a poor clearance. I found the game entertaining, if a little truncated by Mr Parkinson's whistle. After the break it looked like a case of whoever scored next would win. Both sides created opportunities with the visitors gradually looking the most likely.
Indeed, the side from Devon sealed the points with a
belter of an effort from outside the box from Louis Morrison four minutes from
time. Yet the main talking point of the afternoon was still to come.
Hendon debutante Kendall Atagyamfi was introduced from the bench. The game had been tetchy in parts. The youngster tangled with a Tivvy defender within two minutes of his introduction. No foul was given. The pair were on the floor tangling.
It often happens for some reason. The Tiverton player stopped Atagyamfi getting up by forcing his elbow into his neck while on the floor. They both got up, Atagyamfi pressed his chest into the other man, Gary Warren, who went down like he'd been shot.
A huge melee broke out including benches and subs. Warren sneaked away. The ref gave Atagyamfi a red card with a yellow to a Tiverton player in the brawl. Nothing to the original offender. I've not seen as many placid middle aged home fans so angry. I was angry typing it several hours later.
It was probably about a fair result. A decent game, which would have been a good one but for shocking officials and some players with awful attitudes. With a big bag of food from the beautifully named Wok & Roe at Wembley Park, I headed off for another 12-hour shift at work.
Hendon 1 Hanwell Town 2 (Tuesday 9th November 2021) Middlesex Senior Cup (att: 112)
An evening with friends at SJP, and another wonky
Hendon performance after taking the lead early on through Leone Gravata.
Several senior players were given a rest, with those filing in also showing a
lack of how to manage a game.
Goals from Ogo Obi, from the spot, after he’d been fouled, and then Harry Rush a few minutes from time ended Hendon’s hopes at the first hurdle of the competition. Obi, who did little in a Hendon shirt a season or so earlier inevitably looked decent.
Hendon 0 Chesham United 3 (Tuesday 23rd November 2021) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 136)
A nice evening in a way, as friends had kindly decided to come along with me to SJP, for what would be my final visit before heading to Thailand. Some of us assembled in the Midland by Hendon station for fine ales before being dispatched by taxi at the ground.
It was a hectic day for me, as I was in great demand, not that I should complain. I was extremely flattered if truth be told, as some mates wanted me to head to the Market Porter at London Bridge for drinks at lunchtime.
The frivolities continued on the terraces as our gaggle tried to rouse
the boys in Green, several of whom would have been better off going on the lash
with us. It was a desperate home performance, and one which I thought some
other previous managers would have come under pressure for.
Eoin Casey headed Chasham into the lead with a close-range free header halfway through the opening half. Former Hendon player Zak Joseph was brought down in the box clumsily by Kyron Richards. Bradley Clayton put away the resulting penalty kick.
Jayden Clarke, one of the Dons better players, decided to get into the act as he brought down Joseph in the box. Again, Clayton beat keeper Fred Burbidge, one of several players who gave their best but struggled in a struggling team that lacked cohesion and leadership.
We continued our festivities up the hill at Wetherspoons in Kingsbury. A somewhat limp farewell to SJP on the pitch. Thankfully, those behind the scenes were as reliable and brilliant as ever. I would certainly miss them.
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