We apologise for the lack of coverage of the youth teams this season. We will endeavour to return to the full service again next season.

Hendon Under-11s made it 2 consecutive Harrow Youth League wins in their belated start to the season, when they overcame Pitshanger's "B" squad 3-0 on Sunday morning. The opening goal arrived from Jack SHORTISS midway through the first half. There was no addition to the score until the 45th minute, when Ashley JULES bagged Hendon's second, and the game was made safe,9 minutes later, when Max MQAI made it 3-0. "It was a good performance today," said happy manager Gary Eaton. "We worked hard and passed the ball quite well. The boys still have to learn to get used to their positions and stick to them during games, but this will come."

Hendon Under-11s were taught a harsh lesson on Sunday morning when Acton Sports knocked them out of the Middlesex Youth Cup 9-1. The youngsters, who played their first-ever competitive game a week earlier were overrun in the early going and gaving themselves the tiniest glimmer of hope when Jack MARTIN scored 10 minutes before half time. This made it 5-1 and Hendon kept out Acton until the break. In the second half, there was more of the same and Acton added 4 more goals to run out winners 9-1. "We have a lot to learn," said manager Gary Eaton. "But the boys have only been together as a team for a short time. My man of the match was Jack MARTIN."

Hendon Under-11s finally made their long-awaited Harrow Youth League Division Three bow on Sunday, but they proved that the wait was worthwhile. Despite playing with only 10 players and slogging through horrible conditions, Hendon weathered early Bessingby pressure before running away with the game. The opening goal arrived midway through the first half and the lead was doubled soon after. Bessingby did pull a goal back just before half-time, but Hendon added 2 more goals in quick succession after the restart. A second goal from Bessingby only seemed to irritate Hendon, because they responded with a six-goal salvo to hit double figures. "The boys did brilliantly," said happy manager Gary Eaton, himself back at the club after a few years away. "I have only had the boys in training for a few weeks and they have got a lot of talent."

The club's youth structure for next season has been extended at the bottom end, to include the youngest side for some years. An Under 11s team, selected from the best youngsters from last years mini-soccer school, will compete in the Harrow Youth League for the 2003/4 season, with the aim of providing a structure for providing players with a platform to move up from our coaching sessions into competitive football. Coverage of the side's maiden season will be provided on these pages over the season.