Hendon Under-18s were held to a 1–1 draw by Haringey Borough at Claremont Road on Saturday night. Hendon had enough chances to win the game, but Bradley BUBB’s 49th-minute goal apart, the finishing was simply not good enough and, with eight minutes to go, Haringey Borough equalised. Manager Mark Crawford said, "We played very well at times, but we didn’t always work hard enough. We were also not clinical enough and they made us pay. My man of the match was defender François Gibbidon; he was superb."

Hendon Under-18s returned to winning ways with another spectacular late charge, downing Bridge Rovers for the fourth time this season, this time in the Middlesex League Under-20s Division. Just as in the last meeting between the two teams, the game was goalless for more than an hour but, once the deadlock was broken, Hendon ran away. Stephan CHAMBERS-BIGNALL made the crucial breakthrough after 61 minutes and Cudel COLLINS doubled the advantage six minutes later. In the 72nd minute, CHAMBERS-BIGNALL bagged his second of the afternoon and Eddie MOHAMMED rounded off a good afternoon with number four in the last few minutes. "We missed a few chances in the first half," said manager Mark Crawford, "but so did Bridge. Once we had scored, I knew we would win. Stephan CHAMBERS-BIGNALL was my man of the match, not only for his two goals, but he played very well overall."

Hendon Under-18s slipped to a narrow defeat against likely Middlesex League Under-20s Division runners-up Young Stars at Pimms Park on Saturday afternoon. With Bradley Bubb away on first team duty, the goalscoring duties fell to Eddie MOHAMMED and he obliged before half-time. It looked like it might be enough to take all three points, but Mark Crawford’s Pimms Park jinx struck again – he has lost four times in four visits to the ground this season – as Young Stars drew level in the 86th minute and snatched the winner barely a minute later. "We didn’t play particularly well," admitted Mr Crawford, "but I thought we might just have sneaked it. I don’t think it was a reaction to last week."

Hendon under 18s have won the first silverware this season for the club as they beat Turkish Community 5-3 in a penalty shoot out after a 2-2 draw. The hero was goalkeeper Siki Kambila who not only saved the second penalty taken by Turkish Community but also stepped up to score the crucial winning penalty. Bradley Bubb, Matthew Peart, Eddie Mohammed and Otis Kingsley had scored the previous four.

The game itself was outstanding with both teams fully committed throughout the 120 minutes. Bubb hit the woodwork during the first half, but it was Turkish Community who took the lead in the 59th minute when they scored direct from a free kick. However, the young Greens refused to give up and in the 78th minute they equalised when Stephan Chambers-Bignall slotted home from a rebound after the keeper had parried Bubb's initial shot. Bubb himself put the Greens in the lead in the 83rd minute but with just two minutes left on the clock, the Hendon defence fell asleep from a free kick which was fired home from close range. Both teams had chances to win the game in extra time but both goalkeepers were equal to the task. And so the game moved into penalties in which Kambila was to become the hero.

Manager Mark Crawford was thoroughly delighted with the win and named Eddie Mohammed as his man of the match with Chad Griffiths a close second. First team manager Gary McCann was also enthusing about the performance and was very impressed with what he saw.

Team : Siki Kambila, Chad Griffths, Jackson Ellis, Conor Carroll, Francois Gabbidon, Mathew Peart, Narcisse Nono (Jake Narcisse-Brennan 61), Otis Kingley, Stephan Chambers-Bignall (Cudel Collins 79), Bradley Bubb, Eddie Mohammed. Unused subs : Admir Meha, James Dabengwa.

Hendon Under-18s prepared for next Saturday evening’s Middlesex League Under-20 Division League Cup Final against Turkish Community at Yeading FC (7.00 pm kick-off) with a 2-1 victory against Bridge Rovers at Tottenham on Easter Saturday. They got off to a good start and took the lead in the 21st minute through the prolific Bradley BUBB, his 20th goal of the season. Eight minutes later, man of the match Eddie MOHAMMED was brought down inside the penalty area and goalkeeper Siki KAMBILA successfully converted the spot-kick. It was his second success from the spot this season and with the possibility of a cup final penalty shoot-out in mind next week, he wanted the responsibility. Bridge came back into the game and scored after 71 minutes, but their hopes of victory all but disappeared when they had a player dismissed for dissent in the final ten minutes. “It was a very physical encounter,” said manager Mark Crawford, “a tough game on a tiny pitch. But we came through it well and although it wasn’t very pretty, we deserved to get the points. Eddie MOHAMMED was superb, not only in open play, but from set pieces too.”

Hendon Under-18s used a stunning 20-minute burst to book their place in the Middlesex League Under-20s Division League Cup Final as they hit four goals past a stunned Bridge Rovers at Copthall on Saturday afternoon. Hendon had been on top for much of the game, but it was still a close run thing until, in the 66th minute, Bradley BUBB broke the deadlock. Six minutes later, Eddie MOHAMMED was brought down inside the Bridge penalty area and he stepped up to convert the spot-kick. In the 78th minute, BUBB grabbed his second of the afternoon, this time with a very special strike, and with four minutes remaining, Connor CARROLL completed the scoring. The Final is on Saturday 2 April, at The Warren, home of Yeading FC, meaning that Hendon fans will be unable to attend the game because of a clash with the first-team fixture against Tonbridge Angels at Claremont Road. Manager Mark Crawford said, "It was always an interesting game to watch, if not particularly high quality. We were very tentative in the early part of the game but became more confident as it progressed. It was a great result from our point of view. My man of the match Matthew PEART, who was outstanding all afternoon."

Hendon Under-18s paid the penalty for making a slow start to their game at Turkish Community on Saturday. Goals after 14 - a penalty - and 24 minutes saw the hosts take a lead they would never relinquish. Bradley BUBB reduced the arrears for the first time after half an hour, but a third Turkish Community goal arrived after 39 minutes. Hendon should have had a penalty after 50 minutes when a defender caught the ball inside his penalty area, but the referee somehow missed the incident. BUBB bagged his second after 58 minutes, only for the two-goal lead to be restored five minutes later. Stephan CHAMBERS made it 4-3 after 71 minutes, but Hendon's hopes of getting a point from the game disappeared when Turkish Community made it 5-3 near the end. "We started slowly and they caught us cold," admitted manager Mark Crawford. We only started to play in the last half of the first period, and it was too late by then. My man of the match was Bradley BUBB; he worked very hard all game long.

Hendon Under-18s continued their good recent run of form with a narrow victory over Bridge Rovers at Copthall on Saturday afternoon. With Bradley Bubb among three players rested, leading the attack was left in the capable hands of Stephan CHAMBERS and he opened the scoring with a fine header after 18 minutes. He had already his the post and this miss began to look a costly one when Bridge Rovers drew level eight minutes into the second half. But Hendon still created chances and with six minutes to go a Bubb free-kicj was knocked across the penalty area and Narcisse NONO popped up with the match-winner. "We had to battle today," said manager Mark Crawford. "It was a bruising, physical contest, but we came through it."

Hendon Under-18s produced another fine performance on Saturday afternoon, this time holding Crown & Manor, who are second in the Middlesex League Under-20 Division, to a 1-1 draw at the East London Stadium. A tough even contest was goalless for the first 70 minutes, although Hendon were guilty of wasting some great opportunities to score. Then Crown & Manor took the lead, but Hendon's equaliser arrived less than ten minutes later, Stephan CHAMBERS scoring. Both teams could have won it in the final ten minutes, but they had to settle for a share of the spoils. "What pleased me most," said manager Mark Crawford, "was when we went 1-0 down, we had the guts to get back into the game. We were superb. And, for the third week in a row, my man of the match was Chad GRIFFITHS. He was excellent throughout, but in the final five minutes, he saved the game for us with an incredible block tackle."

Hendon Under-18s produced another fine performance at they advanced to the next stage of the Middlesex League Division Cup, beating Young Stars at Copthall on Saturday afternoon. Bradley BUBB set Hendon on their way with a spectacular volley after 18 minutes. Sixteen minutes into the second half, Narcisse NONO doubled the advantage. Although Young Stars did pull a goal back after 74 minutes, victory was assured when BUBB grabbed his second of the game. "We were brilliant today," enthused happy manager Mark Crawford, "and we thoroughly deserved to win the game. My man of the match was right back Chad GRIFFITHS. He was captain for the day and produced an outstanding performance."

Hendon Under-18s returned to winning ways with a 4-2 victory at Haringey Borough on Saturday afternoon. They fell behind to a 27th-minute goal, but drew level through Bradley BUBB after 36 minutes. BUBB gave Hendon the lead eight minutes into the second half, but they were pegged back shortly afterwards. Bubb should have restored Hendon's lead in the 64th minute, but he missed from the penalty spot. Instead it was Narcisse NONO who did the business, six minutes later, and Eddie MOHAMMED competed the scoring with number four in the final quarter-hour. "We played really well today," enthused manager Mark Crawford. "My man of the match was Chad GRIFFITHS."

Hendon Under-18s gave the Middlesex League Premier Division men's team Hanworth Villa all they could handle before slipping to a 2-1 defeat in a Middlesex League Cup third round tie at Copthall on Saturday afternoon. Hendon actually took the lead through Otis KINGSLEY in the first half, but Hanworth Villa drew level before the interval and snatched a second-half winner. However, if Hendon had taken just a couple of the excellent chances they created, the Greens would have caused a huge upset. "We were brilliant today, said manager Mark Crawford, but our finishing let us down. We showed we can compete with the men today. It is is the first three-game losing run we have suffered in some years. My man of the match was Otis KINGSLEY."

Hendon Under-18s slipped to another defeat against a top side when the Middlesex League Junior (Under-20s) Section leaders Turkish Community won a hard-fought contest at Copthall on Saturday afternoon. Hendon battled extremely hard, and played with great fluency, except for the final third and it proved to be costly. The young Greens wasted numerous good scoring opportunities before conceding a couple of goals in a seven-minute spell midway through the second half. Although Bradley BUBB pulled a goal back after 74 minutes, they couldn’t find an equaliser. “This was our best performance of the season,” said manager Mark Crawford. “We were superb all over the pitch, but our finishing let us down again. My man of the match was Admir MEHA, who had a fantastic game.”

Hendon Under-18s made a disappointing start to the New Year as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Young Stars on Saturday. They had the better of the first half and should have taken the lead when Bradley Bubb had only the goalkeeper to beat, but he lifted the ball over the keeper and wide of the target. After 63 minutes, the low sun and difficult wind proved too much for Siki Kambila and his error gifted Young Stars the lead. Five minutes later, Stephan Chambers should have done better with a great chance but he hit the ball straight at the goalkeeper. Then, with six minutes to go, Admir Meha conceded a penalty which sewed up the game for Young Stars. “We paid the penalty for not scoring and they punished us,” summed up disappointed manager Mark Crawford. “My man of the match was central defender Francois Gabbidon, who was absolutely outstanding.

Hendon Under-18s bounced back from last week's home defeat to win on the road against Princes Park Rangers. The star of the show was Bradley BUBB, who netted a 13-minute hat-trick. The damage was started by captain Conor CARROLL after three minutes, before BUBB got started. BUBB netted after 12, 21 and 25 minutes to put the result beyond doubt with barely a quarter of the game completed. However, after this, Hendon rather lost their shape and discipline and no more goals came. The closest they came to increasing their lead in a one-sided contest was in the 58th minute when Otis Kingsley had a penalty well saved. But manager Mark Crawford was not happy at the final whistle. "We should have been much better in the second half. They played deeper and deeper and we could have buried with all the chances we created. But we missed so many of them."

Hendon Under-18s slipped to their first home Middlesex League defeat of the season as Crown & Manor won 3-1 at Copthall on Saturday afternoon. The only goal of the first half was an unfortunate one from James Dabengwa, who put the ball in his own net after half an hour to give the visitors a lead. After 63 minutes, Crown & Manor doubled their advantage, only for Bradley BUBB to make it 1-2 ten minutes later. It set up a fine finish, but Crown & Manor made sure of the points with a third goal in the final minute.

Hendon Under-18s lost their first league fixture of the season, going down 2-0 on Saturday afternoon. It was a disappointing afternoon for Mark Crawford's boys, against much older opponents, who were just a little too strong. The game was goalless until the 79th minute, when Turkish Community broke the deadlock. Hendon tried to get back into the game and, in leaving gaps at the back, were caught by a sucker punch in the last minute for a second goal. "Their manager told me that we were the best side they've faced this season," said Mr Crawford, "but we have to look at ourselves more than worrying what our opponents can do."

Hendon Under-18s reached the next round of the Middlesex League Cup with a 2-1 defeat of Southall Reserves at Copthall on Saturday afternoon. They got off to the perfect start when Bradley Bubb burst into the penalty area and was upended by the last defender. The referee awarded the penalty but failed to show the defender the red card. BUBB converted the spot kick. Ten minutes into the second half, Southall got back on level terms, but Hendon were the stronger team and regained the lead after 72 minutes, when BUBB got his second. Five minutes later, more weak refereeing gave Southall a lifeline when Bubb’s hat-trick was belated disallowed – so late that the ball was already back on the centre-spot when the official relented to the complaints from the touchline that Stephan Chambers was offside even though he had played no part in Bubb’s run or shot. “We did very well,” said manager Mark Crawford. “I thought we were in charge for most of the game. My man of the match was Connor CARROLL, our centre-back, who put in a superb performance.”

Hendon Under-18s recorded a fine 5-0 victory away to Connections in the Middlesex League on Saturday afternoon. Bradley BUBB started the rout with a goal after 21 minutes and BUBB, the brother of former Hendon and Grenada international Byron, doubled the advantage after 27 minutes. Ten minutes before half-time Eddy MOHAMMED made it 3-0 to put the Greens comfortably in the driving seat at half-time. Thirteen minutes after the restart BUBB completed his hat-trick and midway through the half, the victory was concluded by Stephan CHAMBERS. "It was a very good overall performance," enthused manager Mark Crawford. "We were on top from the back to the front. My man of the match was wide midfield player Otis KINGSLEY. He played on both the right and left side and was superb."

Hendon Under-18s were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Haringey Borough at a rather boggy Copthall on Saturday afternoon. The youngsters trailed to their more senior Middlesex League rivals after 29 minutes, but hit back to equalise through Bradley BUBB. Hendon were on top in the second half, but could not translate their superiority into goals. The best chance fell to man of the match Matthew PEART, but he could not capitalise from a one-on-one situation. "It was a very physical contest," said manager Mark Crawford, "but we stood up well for ourselves. We could and probably should have won the game in the second half."

Hendon's interest in the Middlesex Under-18s Youth Cup came to an end at the first hurdle after they lost a penalty shoot-out following an enthralling match against Staines Town at Wheatsheaf Lane. Sadly the match turned on a quite appalling refereeing decision, when the man in black decided to send of Narcisse Nono for simulation, his second yellow card. NONO had given Hendon an early lead and midway through the first half, NONO doubled the advantage. Soon after Staines had reduced the arrears, Nono picked up his first caution for a foul. Then, in the 60th minute, a bad challenge on Nono sent him crashing to the ground, with three large stud-marks in his leg. He cried in pain after the challenge was made but the whistle-carrying man saw no foul. When play continued Nono tried to run back to help his teammates. When play stopped next, for a throw-in, Nono was dismissed. Staines equalised soon after and although Stephan Chambers hit a post for Hendon the game went into extra time. Staines took the lead, but Hendon drew level late on, thanks to a screamer from Bradley Bubb. Then came the heartbreak of the penalty shoot-out. Both teams missed once in the regulation five attempts, then Hendon missed with their ninth attempt to go out. "The referee's decision changed the game," bemoaned manager Mark Crawford. "Narcisse has three cuts on his leg from the studs. I think he will have to go to hospital. On another day I am sure we would have won the game. My man of the match was Narcisse NONO, for his two goals."

Hendon Under-18s finally got their debut season in the Middlesex League under way on Saturday and it was a successful first outing. Kevin EGAN opened the scoring after 14 minutes, heading home a corner. The second goal arrived after an hour, Stephan CHAMBERS finishing off a good move and the victory was confirmed 15 minutes from time when Mohammed LIBAN made it 3-0. Manager Mark Crawford had only one complaint about the performance, "Our finishing stopped us from winning by many, many more," he explained. "We played very well everywhere else on the pitch. My man of the match was Kevin EGAN. I moved him into midfield from left-back and he didn't put a foot wrong."

We are delighted to announce that Mark Crawford has agreed to manage the Under 18 side this season. They will be competing in the Middlesex County League, U20 Division and the games will generally be played on Saturdays.