Hendon opened their centenary season at a cloudy and windy Scraley Road and came away with a repeat of the scoreline from the same fixture last season - a 0-0 draw. The Greens fielded one new signing in the starting line-up in the form of ex-Yeading midfielder Ben Hudell, who had previously been on loan at Claremont Road in the 2005-06 season, whilst Lubo Guentchev made his competitive debut as a substitute late in the game. The other ten starters were all with the club last season.

Heybridge had the benefit of the wind, which was blowing towards the clubhouse, in the first half and in the 4th minute Richard Wilmot did well to tip over a shot from Stafford Browne. The resultant corner was cleared without any trouble. This turned out to be something of a rare scare for the Greens during the first half as the defence coped exceptionally well with the wind in their faces.

Three minutes later Hendon had their first chance, and one of their best of the game, when Hudell found some space and drove a fine effort towards goal, only to see the ball hit the bar. The ball bounced back into play but Belal Aiteouakrim fired the rebound shot narrowly wide of the goal. The Greens, who were wearing their new centenary strip for the first time, were looking lively and in the 15th minute Brian Haule got just to much to a headed effort which bounced away for a free-kick.

In the 22nd minute Heybridge Swifts looked as though they were in on goal, but Wilmot made an outstanding interception. A minute later, Aiteouakrim was fouled 20 yards from goal, but Hudell's free-kick went wide of the near post with Ollie Morris-Sanders in the Heybridge goal scrambling across from the far post.

With half-an-hour gone, Browne fired in a shot which was deflected wide for a Heybridge corner, but from the resultant set-piece, Michael Shinn could only shoot wide. Five minutes later Hendon had a penalty shout turned down when James Parker appeared to be pushed over in the area, but the referee was unimpressed and waved play on. On the stroke of half-time, Heybridge came close to scoring when Craig Hughes, who spent a month on loan with Hendon a couple of years ago, narrowly missed out on getting a touch on a Shinn free-kick. It should be said that the quality of Shinn's set-pieces were excellent throughout the game.

The opening effort of the second-half fell to Hudell who saw his shot, which had the wind behind it, safely dealt with by Morris-Sanders. Hudell was involved again in the 57th minute when his free-kick saw Davis Haule not quite meet it with a header. Shortly afterwards, Hughes found himself with a chance for Heybridge but his effort was wide of the target.

The Swifts caused panic in the Hendon defence in the 66th minute when, shortly after they had a penalty shout of their own turned down, a corner flew across goal and away to safety. Had a Heybridge player got a touch, there is every chance they would have scored. A minute later they did have the ball in the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

Hendon continued to play the better football, and in the 74th minute Dean Green had a shot well saved, whilst some good work from Brian Haule, Green and Aiteouakrim created a chance that was cleared by Ian Wiles in the Heybridge defensive line. Any shots at goal that the Greens had were dealt with very professionally by Morris-Sanders, who would be able to go away having put in a faultless performance.

In the 88th minute, Heybridge were given an opportunity to take all three points when Marc Leach committed a foul in the penalty area, and the referee had no hesitation in giving the penalty. There was little dispute from the Hendon players about the decision. Hughes stepped up and sent the penalty to Wilmot's left. Fortunately for Hendon, Wilmot had chosen to dive to his left and he was able to make a comfortable save and smother the ball to earn the Greens a point they thoroughly deserved.

Speaking after the game Hendon manager Gary McCann said "I'm delighted with the performance we've put in today. With a little bit of luck in front of goal we could have gone away with all three points, but I must thank Richard Wilmot for getting us out of jail with his penalty save."

(Report By Steve Rogers - Not to be reproduced without the author's permission)