Hendon went out of the FA Carlsberg Trophy at the second qualifying round stage, losing 2–1 at home to Sutton United at Vale Farm, Wembley FC, on Sunday afternoon. Although the Greens battled hard in the second half, Sutton were able to keep them mainly at arm’s length, whilst looking dangerous on their own sporadic raids downfield.

James Parker, back from a spell coaching in America, returned to the team and slotted straight in at centre-half in place of Frank Wilson, while Richard Wilmot took over from William Viner in goal.

Hendon opened the scoring in the 17th minute when a speculative through ball drew Paul Nicholls not only off his goalline, but also out of the penalty area. Harry HUNT, a willing chaser of even the most apparently lost of causes, had his work rewarded as he touched the ball past the committed goalkeeper, regained his balance and caressed the ball over the line, just powerfully enough to beat the retreating Karim El-Salahi.

Two minutes later, with Sutton clearly rocked by the setback, Hendon should have doubled their advantage. The first chance fell to Lubomir Guentchev, but his shot was blocked. When the ball fell to Brian Haule, Nicholls made a good save.

Shortly after that, Guentchev took a touch too many and was eventually closed down by a clutch of defenders, most of whom he had already gone past.

They proved to be crucial misses because, in the 26th minute, the Us drew level. There didn’t seem to be too much danger as Craig DUNDAS picked up a pass on the edge of the penalty area. He went around James Burgess, rode a challenge from Parker and, from an absurdly acute angle shot inside Wilmot’s near post. The goalkeeper’s reaction was a mixture of misery and abject horror as Sutton players celebrated.

In the 32nd minute, Craig Vargas was taken out by Simon Jackson, who received a yellow card, but Vargas would not able to resume after the interval. James Bent also picked up a first-half caution and this would come back to haunt him too.

This was Sutton’s best spell of the match and after 40 minutes, Matt Hann, their FA Cup hero in the fourth qualifying round, nearly emulated his goalscoring feat with a powerful shot that flew just wide of Wilmot’s goal. It delayed the inevitable for only a couple of minutes.

Hendon conceded a free-kick 40 yards from goal on the right touchline. The ball was curled into the penalty area and the Us’ match-winner in the Ryman League encounter at Gander Green Lane, Gavin McCULLUM, lost his marker and glanced a close range header into the bottom corner at the far post. Wilmot didn’t have a chance with this effort, the question marks being put against the defence.

Kevin Maclaren came on for the injured Vargas to start the second, Burgess moving to the opposite flank to accommodate the substitute. Hendon started the second half brightly and should have equalised after 49 minutes, when a double chance went begging. First Haule was denied by a block from Nicholls, then Hunt’s attempt at the rebound was cleared from the goalline by Alan Bray.

Thereafter, for all of Hendon’s pressing, there were far too few clear-cut opportunities. Although the Greens managed a few shots on target, all seemed to go straight at Nicholls, who was either brilliant in his anticipation or lucky that green-shirted players couldn’t direct their efforts away from the middle of the goal. The latter seemed more likely.

Charlie Mapes and Glenn Garner both came on during the latter stages and the former should have scored with his first touch, but from a good position he could only strike Nicholls midriff.

Twice Sutton broke out of defence, but good defending from Mark Leach, Burgess and Parker denied Hann and the ever-dangerous Dundas. At the other end, a free-kick from Leach was headed over his own crossbar by Chris Collins, but the referee and his assistant both thought the ball came off a Hendon head.

In the final minute, Hendon almost snatched the equaliser their efforts merited. A cross came in from the left wing and Hunt threw himself at the ball. He made good contact, in fact too good contact, because with Nicholls virtually a spectator, Hunt sent the ball inches over the crossbar.

By this time Hendon had been reduced to ten men and as Bent’s frustration at Sutton’s entirely legitimate if unedifying time-wasting by a corner flag resulted in a foul which saw him dismissed.

“This was a game we could and should have got more out of,” said manager Gary McCann. “We were guilty of taking the wrong option too often, but I can’t question the commitment. It was there for all too see.

“Much as I want to do well in the cups, my main priority has to be getting up the League.”

(Report By David Ballheimer)