Hendon bounced back in style from their defeat at East Thurrock United by putting in their best performance of the season to see off AFC Hornchurch with a 3-1 victory.

Belal Aiteouakrim and Jamie Busby returned to the starting line-up in place of James Burgess and Ben Hudell who dropped to the bench.

The Greens had the perfect start when Wayne O'Sullivan scored inside the first minute after Richard Goddard and Elliot Styles made a mess of a clearance.

Following the early goal it was the Urchins that looked better going forward, but the Hendon defence held firm until the 14th minute when Simon Parker scored after receiving a cross from Kris Lee much to the delight of the travelling support. Just a minute later Kris Lee appeared to be fouled in the penalty area, but the referee ruled that there was no offence and allowed play to continue.

Minutes later Hornchurch had the perfect chance to score when Parker provided an opening for Mark Janney who contrived to hit the bar and Hendon cleared the ball to safety. In the 29th minute the game took a crucial turn.

In the 29th minute a Hendon player was fouled by Styles, and upon consulting his assistant the referee awarded a penalty. O'Sullivan stepped up to convert and score his fifth goal of the season.

Two minutes later the Greens were 3-1 ahead a when a corner from Busby found an unmarked Brian Haule who headed the ball home with glee. Hornchurch had chances to come back into the game before half-time but couldn't find the target.

Hornchurch had the first chance of the second period when David Lee fired a neat lob at goal which Richard Wilmot did well to tip around the post whilst at the other end Davis Haule saw his shot diverted out for a corner by Goddard.

The visitors put the home side under more pressure as the half continued, and Hendon's task was to be made tougher in the 64th minute when Casey Maclaren was sent off for a second bookable offence.

However, Hornchurch were unable to make the extra man count, and at times Hendon didn't look as though they were a man down as both sides continued to create half-chances. Belal Aiteouakrim fired a shot narrowly over the bar for Hendon, whilst at the other end David Lee saw his free-kick fly narrowly wide of the post.

Hornchurch had a few more corners and half-chances but the Hendon defence held firm to secure the three points and lift the club to the top of the table for the first time since September 2004.

(Report by Steve Rogers - not to be reproduced in any form without the author's agreement)