Hendon continued their pre-season preparations with a 2-1 victory at Barton Rovers on a warm Saturday afternoon. The first half saw the Greens create numerous chances, the first of which came in teh 3rd minute when Lubo Guentchev crossed for Belal Aiteouakrim to shoot. The Barton keeper, Nigel Blower, made a good save and Davis Haule headed the rebound over.

In the next five minutes Blower made three more excellent saves, two from Aiteouakrim and one from Brian Haule. In the 15th minute Lubo Guentchev sent over a delicious cross which Ben Hudell hit on the volley only to see his shot rebound off the post to safety.

Five minutes later Barton had their first real chance, but could only find the side netting before James Burgess fired just over the bar. The first goal came in the 37th minute and was a beautiful goal involving four players.

Wayne O'Sullivan picked up the ball in the right back slot and sent it crossfield to Hudell, who in turn sent it back across to Lubo Guentchev and he sent the ball across goal for Aiteouakrim to slot home.

In the first minute of the second half, Barton had a great chance to equalise but somehow Leon Gutzmore managed not to find the target. Two minutes later Rakatahr Hudson had a shot cleared off the line, but in the 51st minute the lead was doubled.

Lubo Guentchev was once again the provider as he crossed for Dean Green. His initial shot was deflected onto the post, but the rebound fell nicely and Green calmly fired the ball into the net.

Hendon continued to create chances with both of the Haule brothers firing over the bar, whilst in the 71st minute Barton were unlucky not to pull a goal back when Dean Brennan saw his free-kick rebound off the corner of the post and bar with Luke Blackmore beaten.

By this time both sides had made numerous changes and Barton were seeing more of the ball. Gutzmore had another chance in the 78th minute but he scuffed his shot, but the home side had only another two minutes to wait for a goal.

In the 80th minute Brennan fired in another free-kick which Blackmore somehow consipired to fumble when under no pressure. The ball fell to the ground and was bundled home by Dean Buss.

There were further half chances at either end, but the Greens held on to win the game as they move into a match free week before next Saturday's game at Chesham United.

(Report by Steve Rogers - not to be reproduced without permission from the author)