Match Report

Havant & Waterlooville
3
Hendon
2
Date:
Saturday 18 February 2017
Competition:
Isthmian League Premier Division
Attendance:
702
Venue:
TBA

Match Report

Hendon once again produced one of their better performances of the season against a high-flying team, this time, however, leaving Havant & Waterlooville with no points to show for their mighty efforts, the home side winning 3-2. On a very sunny and warm day, Hendon were industrious and inventive, putting together some of their best football of the season. Despite these endeavours, goalkeeping of the highest order from the Hawks' Ryan Young ensured that the home side preserved their first half lead.

In a frenetic first 45 minutes, it was the Greens who drew first blood when Matt Ball opened the scoring with a stunning free kick from 25 yards that flew into the top corner - home keeper Ryan Young left statuesque. However, this early served to spur the Hawks to respond with three goals in ten minutes. In the following skirmishes, Hendon's James Harper received a caution for lashing out at an opponent after being fouled. The Hendon supporters' hearts were in their mouths, fearful of a dismissal, but the referee took a more lenient view and let Harper off with a yellow card.

Bradley Tarbuck equalised two minutes after Ball had scored, neatly slotting home after being played through into the Hendon area. Shortly thereafter, Rory Williams put the home side ahead with a free kick that was every bit as good as Ball's, Tom Lovelock in the Hendon goal a mere spectator as the ball was called around the wall and into the net.

Alfie Rutherford, just minutes before at the centre of a huge penalty appeal, made it 3-1 just before the half-hour mark. Hendon looked vulnerable and the Hawks looked on the brink of embarking on a rout of their lowly opposition. But the Greens' resilience and spirit soon shone through and they were rewarded on the stroke of half time when Keagan Cole rose to head home a fine cross from Sam Murphy.

In the second half, Hendon took the game to their hosts, who were well supported by a crowd of over 700, and Young was consequently the busier of the two keepers. He was forced into two top class saves, the first a flying save to keep out a fierce drive from Reis Stanislaus, and then one low down near his post to keep out a shot from the impressive Cole. However, the Greens task was made tougher with 15 minutes to go when James Harper was sent off for a second bookable offence. However, both defences held firm and it was the home side who were the happiest on the final whistle.

Report by Bryan Roberts

Hendon

1
Tom Lovelock
2
James Hammond
3
Arthur Lee
4
Daniel Rumens
5
Josh McLeod-Urquhart
6
James Harper
7
Sam Murphy
8
Matt Ball
9
Reis Stanislaus
10
Keagan Cole
11
Marcel Barrington
12
Laste Dombaxe
14
Geo Craig
15
Elliott Charles
16
Kezie Ibe
17
Luke Tingey

Match Events

15''
Matt Ball
Bradley Tarbuck
17''
Rory Williams
20''
Alfie Rutherford
27''
45''
Keagan Cole
46''
Luke Tingey replaced Daniel Rumens
Wes Fogden replaced Brian Stock
46''
Matt Paterson replaced Alfie Rutherford
72''
74''
James Harper
78''
Elliott Charles replaced Marcel Barrington
85''
Geo Craig replaced Reis Stanislaus

Havant & Waterlooville

1
Ryan Young
2
Dan Strugnell
3
Rory Williams
4
Brian Stock
5
Ryan Woodford
6
Ed Harris
7
Mike Carter
8
Theo Lewis
9
Jason Prior
10
Alfie Rutherford
11
Bradley Tarbuck
12
Matt Paterson
14
James Hayter
15
Lee Molyneaux
17
Harry Bedford
18
Wes Fogden