Hendon Under-14s, playing on the LOOT Stadium pitch for the first time this season, found the surroundings a little overawing and neither team was able to break the deadlock. St Margarets, who were the only team to take a point off Hendon Under-13s before Christmas last season, had the better of the first half, but the defence, ably marshalled by the outstanding Carlos SANTOS, held firm. In the second half, Hendon were completely on top but they did not take their chances. The closest they came to a goal was a shot from Harrison FOWLE after 53 minutes, but the ball crashed off the crossbar and bounced away to safety. "I think the boys found playing on the main pitch very exciting and they tried too hard. Nevertheless, it was yet another game we should have won. St Margarets are a good team, but we have probably done their promotion rivals Belmont a big favour today."

Hendon Under-14s battled to a 0-0 draw at Belmont United on Sunday in a match dominated by the strong wind that made good football impossible. The game had added interest because Belmont's goalkeeper was William Viner, who spent a number of years at Hendon and he and his opposite number Dhani NIRAM had a personal battle to see who could kick the ball further. In the end neither team could find a way past two of the better goalkeepers in the division so the game ended goalless. "I thought we could have nicked it," said manager Mark Crawford. "Considering the conditions we did well. Man of the match was Admir MEHA, who had great game in defence, followed closely by Carlos SANTOS."

Hendon Under-14s produced a disappointing performance to lose 1-0 at Omonia on Sunday morning, but they were nonetheless distinctly unlucky not to have got a point from the game when they had a goal disallowed midway through the second half. The only goal of the game came in the 18th minute when Omonia scored with a neat lob. The controversy came when Stephen BIGNALL turned in the penalty area and shot home. A defender closing in slipped as he went to challenge and the referee ruled that Bignall had fouled him. "We were very disjointed today," philosophised manager Mark Crawford. "They were very physical and could have been a few goals ahead before half-time, but we had chances in the second half. My man of the match was Carlos SANTOS; he got some awful stick today."

Hendon Under-14s twice came from behind to snatch a point in a hard-fought Harrow Youth League Division 1 match against Omonia. As with the Under-16s, Hendon's home game was switched to the opponents' ground, this time because the pitch at Clitterhouse Playing Fields was declared unfit by a trio of referees. A bug had laid low both of Hendon's goalkeepers but Daniel ANTONIOU bravely insisted on playing, although under the weather. Omonia started brightly and opened the scoring after 15 minutes. Four minutes later, they hit the post, but there were chances at both ends and depleted Hendon gave as good as they got. Nine minutes into the second half, debutant Ramsey AJRAN smashed in the goal of the game direct from a free-kick, but Omonia were quick to hit back, regaining the lead within 10 minutes. Hendon redoubled their efforts and were rewarded 12 minutes from time when Steve BIGNALL equalised. That was the signal for a concerted spell of pressure from Hendon but a third goal just would not come. Right at the end, Antoniou preserved the point with a fine save. Manager Mark Crawford was simultaneously pleased and disappointed with the result, saying, "I thought we should have won although Daniel - bless him - made a great save in the last minute. We were quite weak today but we contained them brilliantly. Our 2 debutants - Nusir SEBNDUKA and Ramsey AJRAN - did very well. In fact, AJRAN and Admir MEHA - brother of Under-16s star Arskel - were my men of the match."

Hendon Under-14s continued their excellent run with a second consecutive victory over erstwhile Harrow Youth League Division 1 table-toppers Parkfield. Parkfield took the lead in the 14th minute, but Hendon drew level just before half-time when Steve BIGNALL scored. The second half was very tense, but a cracking contest, with both teams having a number of chances. Parkfield had a goal disallowed in the 62nd minute, when the referee spotted a push on a Hendon defender in the penalty area. It proved to be a turning point because, with just 2 minutes to go, Hendon sneaked the winner through BIGNALL again. "Every one of the 14 players on duty today deserved the man of the match award," said a hoarse manager Mark Crawford. "Dhani NIRAN, Christopher STAPLES, Kevin EGAN, Carlos SANTOS, Thomas GREANY, Admir MEHA, Sandeep MUZLI, Steve HOGAN, Nathaniel WHITE, Steve BIGNALL, Michael GREENE and substitutes Harrison FOWLE, Tony GRAHAM and Oguz CICEK. It wasn't the prettiest of the games, but we did a job and got the 3 points. That is what matters in games like this."

Hendon Under-14s twice came from behind to beat Harrow Youth League Division One leaders Parkfield 4-2 at Clitterhouse Playing Fields on Sunday morning. Parkfield took the lead in the 12th minute, and they held onto it until the last minute of the first half, when Steve HOGAN scored. Hendon had spurned a number of chances before the goal, and manager Mark Crawford felt his team should have been 3-1 up at the break. This profligacy began to look ominous when Parkfield regained the lead midway through the second half, but Hendon hit back quickly and efficiently. In the 56th minute, Steve BIGNALL equalised and BIGNALL put Hendon in front for the first time with 10 minutes to go. The game was sealed in the 67th minute, when HOGAN scored his second. "It was an excellent game for the neutral," said a delighted Mr Crawford. "We should real guts and courage to come from behind twice. Tow players share the man of the match award for me today, Steve HOGAN and Admir MEHA, who was outstanding in midfield."

Hendon Under-14s go into the Christmas break buoyed by an important victory at Princes Park on Sunday morning. A difficult pitch made things awkward for both teams, but Hendon did well, especially on the flanks where Michael GREENE and Steve HOGAN were superb. It was GREENE who opened the scoring in the 11th minute, but a well-worked free-kick brought Princes Park an equaliser after 18 minutes. The teams turned around level, but Hendon piled on the pressure and got their reward in the 49th minute, when GREENE made it 2-1. Seven minutes later, GREENE completed his hat-trick and substitute Nathaniel WHITE extended the lead after 62 minutes. The last word belonged to HOGAN to got No. 5 with 12 minutes to go. "We had to get the ball out wide today," said manager Mark Crawford, "and HOGAN and GREENE were excellent. I must also mention Admir MEHA, who had a great game too."

Hendon Under-14s continued their improved form with a hard-fought 4-2 victory over the Watling Club on Sunday. The scoreline suggests the game was close, but closer inspection shows that Watling's goals came from a penalty kick and an own goal which caromed off about half a dozen players without a home man touching th ball. In the 18th minute, Hendon took the lead through Steven BIGNALL, but after 52 minutes, Watling equalised from the penalty spot. Three minutes later, Watling returned the compliment, bringing down Harrison FOWLE, who converted Hendon's spot-kick. In the 59th minute, FOWLE bagged his second and BIGNALL did likewise 8 minutes from time. With 4 minutes remaining, the "comic cuts" own goal reduced the arrears, but it was too little, too late. "We went out there and did a good job," said happy manager Mark Crawford. "I was a little concerned that we tried to play football in the wrong areas especially as we conceded goals from these situations."

Hendon Under-14s paid the penalty for showing a lack of passion by going out of the Middlesex Youth Cup at Clitterhouse Playing Fields on Sunday morning. A goal behind after 14 minutes, Hendon drew level with a equaliser from Harrison FOWLE, but Mark Crawford's boys could not capitalise on the confidence boost of that goal just before half-time. In the 58th minute, St Joseph's regained the lead and it shook Hendon's confidence. Another goal went in 4 minutes later, and the final nail was rammed into the Hendon coffin in the final minute. "This was a big disappointment," admitted Mr Crawford. "We created quite a few chances and there was little to choose between the Premier Division side (St Joseph's) and us from the First Division. But we didn't compete hard enough; we need more passion. You can have all the skills in the world, but if don't have passion, you will never succeed. Man of the match was substitute Admir MHED, who came on as a first-half substitute and did very well."

Hendon Under-14s retained their undefeated home record, but with a little bit better finishing would have come away with all three points from this Harrow Youth League match against Ealing Shamrock at Clitterhouse Playing Fields on Sunday morning. Hendon could not have made a worse start, conceding a goal in the opening minute. after wasting a number of chances, Hendon finally drew level in the 18th minute through Steve BIGNALL. Fifteen minutes after half-time Ealing regained the lead, and they should have gone further ahead when they were awarded a penalty in the 54th minute. A brilliant ave from Daniel ANTONIOU kept the ball out and his efforts were rewarded at the other end as Carlos SANTOS netted a second equaliser 12 minutes from time. "We had so many chances again today, but we didn't take them," said manager Mark Crawford. "At least we are still unbeaten at home. Today it was 2 points dropped, not 1 gained. My men of the match were Carlos SANTOS and Daniel ANTONIOU."

Hendon Under-14s went out of the Harrow Youth League Cup when they lost 1-0 to Belmont United on Sunday morning. It was sweet revenge for Belmont, who had lost to Hendon by the odd goal in the League last weekend. It was another tight game and Hendon just shaded the first half in terms of chances, but still found themselves trailing to a 22nd-minute goal. It proved to be enough as Hendon just could not find the goal to force extra time. Disappointed manager Mark Crawford said, "We played OK in the first half and had a couple of chances in the first half, but we didn't take them. In the second half, they had some chances but we kept them out. Our whole back four played very well, but man of the match was centre-back Joe COOPER."

Hendon Under-14s continued their winning run with a fine 3-2 victory over a very strong Belmont United team. Belmont made a dream start, scoring after just 2 minutes, but Hendon were quick to fight back, Harrison FOWLE equalising after 12 minutes. Four minutes after half-time, Nat WHITE scored to give Hendon the lead. After 50 minutes, manager Mark Crawford made a substitution, bringing on Stafan Bignall. It was an inspired as BIGNALL made it 3-1 10 minutes later. In the final couple of minutes, Belmont made it 3-2 with a penalty and it set up a grandstand finish, but Hendon held on. A delighted, if hoarse, Mr Crawford said, "That was the performance best all season. All the players were very good but Admir MEHA, Elliott WOODS and Johnny LIAM-DIAZ were exceptional."

Hendon Under-14s advanced to the second round of the Middlesex Youth Cup with a comprehensive 13-0 demolition of Pitshanger at Clitterhouse Playing Fields on Sunday morning. Michael GREENE opened the scoring in the first half and his strike was soon followed by one from Harrison FOWLE. The 2-division gap between Harrow Youth League Division 1 Hendon and Division 3 Pitshanger was not all that evident in the first half and FOWLE's second goal was the only other score of the half. The second half was a different matter. Hendon manager Mark Crawford stressed that his team needed to get off to a quick start after the break and not lose their concentration. They took this on board and ran riot in the second half. Stephan BIGNALL, with 2 goals, Steve HOGAN, Kevin EGAN, Harrison FOWLE, a hat-trick, and Michael GREENE, also with 3, found the target as Hendon ran in 10 second half goals. "The overall performance from the lads was good," said Mr Crawford. "The team's spirits are quite high now. Man of the match was Chris STAPLES, the team captain. He played at left-back today, his fourth position of the season, and he did ever so well."

Hendon Under-14s finally won their first match of the season when they overcame The Watling Club 5-2 in the Harrow Youth League Cup at Montrose Park on Sunday morning. Hendon will be away to the winners of Belmont United and Victorians in the second round. Hendon good off to a great start when Michael GREENE rifled in a 25-yard shot from outside the angle of the penalty area after 9 minutes. From then on Harrison FOWLE took over and he made it 2-0 after 22 minutes. Seven minutes before half time, FOWLE scored his second and gave Hendon a comfortable half-time cushion. After 48 minutes, Watling reduced the arreas, but FOWLE completed his hat-trick 6 minutes later. The 6-minute gaps contintued as Walting made it 4-2 after 60 minutes and FOWLE bagged his fourth of the day after 66. "Our workrate was superb today," enthused manager Mark Crawford. "We had 11 men of the match today, but Tom GREANEY, Johnny LIM-DIAZ, Oguz "Ossie" CICEK and FOWLE were superb."

Hendon Under-14s produced a much-improved performance on Sunday morning, but it was still not enough to bring them their first win of the season. Harrison FOWLE opened the scoring for Hendon after 5 minutes and, 10 minutes after conceding an equalisser, FOWLE bagged his second of the game. Hendon were the better team, but too many chances were spurned. Even though they held the lead at half-time, it did not take long for Hendon's fortunes to take a down-turn. Goales after 47, 55 and 61 minutes - the latter a penalty - saw Ealing take control after the break and record a 4-2 win. "We may be playing better, " said manager Mark Crawford, "but that is not good enough. We have got to start getting some results. I am sure it will come. My men of the match today were Chris STAPLES and Kevin HEGAN."

Hendon Under-14s picked up their first point of the season with a thrilling 4-4 draw against the Watling Club at Clitterhouse Playing Fields on Sunday morning. The two halves had a simple symmetry to them as Hendon opened and closed the scoring. The first goal came from Nathaniel (Nat) WHITE, but Watling hit back to equalise and then missed a penalty. It did not take long for them to take the lead but, just before the break, WHITE scored his second with a fantastic 40-yard shot. Soon after the restart, WHITE completed his hat-trick with another fine goal, but Watling hit back again with two goals to lead 4-3. However, substitute Steve HOGAN struck a late equaliser to give Hendon a deserved draw. Manager Mark Crawford said, "It was a really good game and we did well to come back. Both teams had many chances. Our men of the match were Nat WHITE and Johnny LIM-DIAZ."

Hendon Under-14s are still looking for their first win of the new season following their 3-1 defeat at the hands of the St Margarets Strollers. A number of key Hendon players remained unavailable but the replacements did well in the first half, holding the Strollers whilst having a few chances of their own. It took just 4 minutes for St Margarets to take the lead but 9 minutes into the second half, Charlie WARD netted an equaliser. For 15 minutes the game could have gone either way, but it was the Strollers who snatched the initiative with 12 minutes left. A third goal, well struck, with 3 minutes remaining ensured defeat. Manager Mark Crawford praised his defenders, Thomas CREANEY, Elliot WOODS, Jonathan LIAM-DIAZ, Kevin HEGAN and Joe COOPER, while also giving honourable mentions to goalkeeper William VINER and Carlos SANTOS. His man of the match was Michael GREENE.

Hendon Under-14s had a much better performance today against Princes Park, and had they been able to finish, they would have had a comfortable win. Manager Mark Crawford said that they controlled much of the game, and he was frustrated at the lack of confidence in front of goal. He singled out Billy Phillips who worked very hard, although his choice for man of the match was Sunny Muzli.

Hendon Under-14s got their season off to a losing start when they were beaten 5-0 by North Greenford United at Walnut Avenue on Sunday morning. After an even first half, the deadlock was broken just before the interval. Thomas Greany was hurt in the Hendon penalty area, but within moments of his recovery, the boys conceded a soft goal. A poor second half went from bad to worse after Northwood went 2-0 up 10 minutes into the second half. Manager Mark Crawford was very unhappy with the performance in his first game in charge since taking over from Phil Neville in the summer. "We need a bit of fire in our bellies. I think some of the boys need to take a good look at themselves. I know the boys can do better." He gave his man of the match award to two players, Joe COOPER and Darvin BERNARDO.

The Under 14s had their first run out yesterday evening at Belmont United, coming away with a 2-2 draw. No further details are currently available.

The new Under 14s section will be updated regularly throughout the new season with the latest news, match reports, fixtures and tables from Hendon FC's youth team.