In an immediate rematch, Hendon A drew 0-0 with league leaders CB Hounslow Reserves.

Hendon A picked up a great win on Saturday as they beat league leaders CB Hounslow Reserves 2-1. With the scores level, Ronald Adjekwei had a penalty saved in the 31st minute, before Hounslow took the lead in the 66th minute. Nine minutes later Marcel Byfield equalised and it was Byfield who scored the winner with six minutes to go.

Hendon travelled Spelthorne Sports for a Cherry Red Books Middlesex County League Senior Reserve Division double-header on Saturday and ended up with a disappointing split of the two games. The first game ended 1–0 in Hendon’s favour, Ronald ADJEKWEI scoring the only goal midway through the second half. With a bare-bones squad, Hendon suffered in the second game and after missing a load of chances in the first half, conceded just before half-time. In the fourth half-hour period, and unable to rotate the squad, Hendon rather waned and conceded twice more.

Hendon A got back to winning ways with a demolition of Hanworth Villa's second string at Clitterhouse Playing Fields on Saturday. Amazingly, Hendon had seven different scorers as they rattled in eight goals. Chad Griffiths got things started after six minutes and this was followed by a goal from Narcisse Nono after 19 minutes. In the 27th minute, Ronald Adjekwei made it 3-0 and that is the way it stayed until half-time. After the break, man of the match Conor Carroll scored a superb fourth goal before Hanworth Villa pulled a goal back. Jess Reynolds got his first goal for Hendon after 72 minutes followed, five minutes later, by Hanworth's second. There was still time for Francois Gabbidon and Franklyn Morris to make it 7-2 before Gabbidon got his second in the dying moments. "We did well today," said happy manager Mark Crawford. "We created lots of chances and took most of them."

A rather flat Hendon "A" went down to narrow 1-0 defeat away at North Greenford United Social Reserves in the Cherry Red Books Middlesex County Football League Senior Reserve Division on Saturday afternoon. They didn't recover after conceding a goal in the opening quarter and although they had a number of chances in the first half, they could not come to terms with the physical approach of their opponents. In the second half, North Greenford got stronger and could have extended their lead, but failed to do so.

Mark Crawford's team repeated their feat of last season by winning their divisional cup, this time the Cherry Red Records Middlesex County League Senior Reserve Division Cup. Despite going behind to a 3rd minute strike from Lee Osmond, the Greens went on to put in a very hard working performance, running their hearts out for ninety minutes. They controlled a large percentage of the game and deservedly equalised on the half hour mark when Mathew Peart fired home a fierce drive from 35 yards. Just ten minutes later Adilson Lopes gave the Greens the lead when he headed a loose ball across just inside the far post from six yards.

In the first twenty minutes of the second half Hendon had a number of chances to extend the lead but were unable to find the target. However, in the 69th minute Lopes picked up the ball on the halfway line, beat two challenges and sidefooted the ball home from 20 yards. Just four minutes later Otis Kingsley latched onto a loose ball in the penalty area and slammed the ball into the net. From there on the Greens held on comfortably to secure their second trophy in consecutive seasons.

"We worked really hard tonight," said an ecstatic Mark Crawford, "and it was a real team performance. I can't single any individual out tonight. I am absolutely delighted."

This afternoons game was postponed as the opposition were unable to raise a side. The points have been awarded to the Greens.

With most of the regular Hendon "A" team on duty for the reserves in Salisbury, it was a much weaker team which played against bottom-of-the-table Puma Sports 2000 Reserves at Barnet Copthall Stadium. Puma have yet to collect a point in the Cherry Red Books Middlesex League Senior Reserve Division, but they will have been pleased to turn around at half-time drawing 0-0. But stand-in manager Tony Moran changed the 4-4-2 formation into a more fluid 3-5-2 after the break and it had the desired effect. Seven minutes into the second half, Marcel Byfield opened the scoring and Byfield grabbed another after 60 minutes. Puma pulled a goal back from the penalty spot after 62 minutes, but Hendon showed their strength by scoring three times in seven minutes inside the final quarter. After 77 minutes Laurian Mandanes made it 3-1. Two minutes later, Byfield completed his hat-trick and, in the 84th minute, the scoring was completed by Brandon Hintz. "We were very poor in the first half, but overwhelmed them in the second," said Mr Moran. "My man of the match was Lamelle Williams, who was steady all afternoon at centre-half."

Hendon A have made it to their second League Cup final in two seasons in the Cherry Red Books Middlesex League. Last year's Under-20s League Cup winners will take on Spelthorne Sports Reserves or Bedfont Sports Reserves in the final of this season's Cherry Red Books Middlesex League Senior Reserve Division League Cup after recording a 4-1 victory at London Tigers. In the third minute, a great cross from Eddie Mohammed picked out Stephan Chambers-Bignall, who headed the ball into the path of Chris Cleary who buried a header of his own. Eight minutes later, Mohammed did it all himself, dribbling past three defenders before sending a perfect lob over the goalkeeper but just under the angle of post and crossbar. After 63 minutes, Chambers-Bignall made it 3-0, which should have been more than enough to ease Hendon's passage to the final, but the boys took their feet off the pedal and almost immediately Tigers pulled a goal back. Chambers-Bignall got his second with 17 minutes to go, but the team hadn't learned their lesson of earlier in the half. But for two great saves from Siki Kambila and an effort that bounced off a post, London Tigers would have been back in the game. "We played some good stuff to go three goals up," said manager Mark Crawford, "but, at three goals up, we twice took our feet off the gas and they nearly made us pay for it. My man of the match was Eddie Mohammed, with Matthew Peart next best."

Hendon "A" failed to take their chances and thus missed the opportunity of inflicting a rare defeat on Cherry Red Books Middlesex League Senior Reserve Division leaders CB Hounslow United Reserves at Copthall on Saturday afternoon. Apacha Iyala should have scored a first-half hat-trick, but failed to beat the Hounslow goalkeeper with three attempts. Then, after 56 minutes, Ronnie Adjekwei hit a post. In the 72nd minutes, Chad Griffiths was ajudged to tripped an opponent in the penalty area and Hounslow converted the penalty. Eleven minutes later, the visitors doubled their advantage and, for all of Hendon's neat approach play, there was no end-product and they slipped to a 2-0 defeat. "We didn’t take our chances today," admitted manager Mark Crawford. "We didn’t play brilliantly, but I still think we should have won today. My man of the match was François Gabbidon."

Hendon "A" were held to a 1-1 draw at London Tigers Reserves in the Cherry Red Books Middlesex League Senior Reserve Division at Warren Farm on Saturday afternoon. It was a frustrating afternoon for the team, who took the lead after 18 minutes through Adilson Lopes. Three minutes later, after conceding three quick free-kicks, Hendon conceded a sloppy equaliser. In the second half, Hendon in general and Ronnie Adjekwei, in particular, were unlucky to be denied three goals. The first offside flag, after 60 minutes was probably correct, but the foul given against Hendon when he netted after 79 minutes was harder to understand. Then, in the 88th minute, Adjekwei was most unlucky because he ran from an onside position, past a passive team-mate not going after the ball, before shooting home, only for offside again to be the decision. "It was a horrible game," admitted manager Mark Crawford, "but it was not a day for football. The wind made the game a lottery. My man of the match was Stephan Chambers-Bignall, though I also want to mention Chad Edwards, Francois Gabbidon and Narcisse Nono, who were very good.”

Hendon "A" overcame the red-card shown to Eddie Mohammed in the second minute to comfortably beat Hanworth Villa Reserves on Saturday afternoon. Mohammed was dismissed for foul and abusive language, aimed at the opponent who had committed a foul on him. Six minutes after going down to ten men, Ronnie Adjekwei was fouled in the Hanworth penalty area and Danny Edwards converted the spot-kick. Hendon held this advantage until half-time and extended within a couple of minutes of the restart, when Francois Gabbidon scored. Chris Cleary completed the scoring with 13 minutes to go as Hendon battled to the very end. "They worked their socks off," said happy manager Mark Crawford. "We had to play for 88 minutes for ten men, but they all applied themselves we deserved to win. My man of the match was captain courageous, Conor CARROLL."

There was disappointment as well this afternoon for the under 18s who went down 3-1 at Bedfont Sports Reserves to end their five match unbeaten run. Bedfont took the lead in the 23rd minute before Ronald Adjekwei equalised just after the half hour mark. However, the home side took control of the game with further goals in the 64th and 67th minutes to secure the points much to the disappointment of manager Mark Crawford who described the performance as "very poor".

Hendon “A” reached the semi-final of Cherry Red Books Middlesex League Senior Youth Division League Cup with a narrow victory over Hanworth Villa Reserves on Saturday afternoon. Otis Kingsley back in the side after a few weeks away, scored Hendon's opener after 10 minutes, but the game exploded after Hanworth Villa's equaliser on the half-hour. Hendon were soon awarded a penalty which was taken by Siki Kambila. He drove the ball high into the roof of the net, from where the ball bounced down and came back into play. With no signal from his assistant, the referee ruled the ball had hit the crossbar not the net and ordered play to continue. This so upset manager Mark Crawford that he was sent from the sideline for his comments to the referee. Hendon regained the lead after 62 minutes when Apacha Ayala scored and the Greens just about made the game safe when Narcisse Nono scored with a screamer with 15 minutes on the clock. A second Hanworth Villa goal came too late affect the outcome. "I lost my temper with the referee over the penalty," admitted Mr Crawford, "but I did apologise to him after the game. We played very well and would have scored more goals if certain decisions hadn’t gone against us."

Hendon scored twice in the opening quarter of the game and, despite missing a hatful of chances, did more than enough to hold on for a victory over the Cherry Red Books Middlesex League Senior Reserve Section basement-dwellers. Ronald Adjekwei sent Hendon on their way after 12 minutes, and Apacha Ayala got the second ten minutes later. Hendon should have gone on to win the game by many more goals, the best chance of which was a penalty after 75 minutes which Tiago Lariata put wide. The fragility of the lead was brought into focus late one when Hendon conceded a penalty, but Ricardo Braganza produced a fine save to keep out the spot-kick which, if converted, would have set up a very uncomfortable final few minutes. Man of the match was Francois Gabbidon, though manager Mark Crawford also acknowledged Braganza for his penalty save. "They should have shown more than they did," Mr Crawford said. "Today was an easy one for us even if it doesn't show in the final result."

Hendon A should, in the words of manager Mark Crawford, "have won 15-0," but had to settle for a point after a 3-3 draw in the Cherry Red Books Middlesex League Senior Reserve Section at Copthall on Saturday. Stephan Chambers-Bignall gave Hendon the lead after 22 minutes and Narcisse Nono doubled the advantage on the stroke of half-time. Harefield Ex-Servicemen pulled a goal back after 55 minutes, but almost immediately Ronald Adjekwei hit a post for Hendon. Barely two minutes after he had been replaced by Apacha Ayala the substitute restored Hendon's two-goal advantage, but they couldn’t hold on. Franklyn Morris hit a post and Siki Kambila, playing up front, with Ricardo Braganza in goal, failed to knock in the rebound. It proved a costly miss, because Harefield pulled a goal back after 67 minutes then, in the last few minutes, they equalised from the penalty spot after a foul by Chad Griffiths. "We took our foot of the pedal," admitted Mr Crawford, "and they made us pay for it. We must be more clinical, especially in front of goal. My man of the match was Francois Gabbidon."

Hendon A got the new year off to a winning start with a comfortable victory over Cherry Red Books Middlesex League Senior Reserve Section basement-dwellers Puma Sports 2000 at Copthall on Saturday afternoon. Puma certainly made things harder for themselves after just 13 minutes when one of their defenders handled a goalbound Hendon effort, not only conceding a penalty, but also receiving a red card and being dismissed. Apacha Ayala took the spot-kick and duly gave Hendon the lead. Puma Sports equalised 10 minutes later, but fell behind again - and for good - after half an hour. Franklyn Morris started the moved and finished it too with a neat finish. Four minutes later, defender François Gabbidon got in on the scoring act with a goal and that’s the way the score stayed until half-time. Thirteen minutes into the second half Puma Sports pulled a goal back, but they got no closer as, with 20 minutes to go, Maradona Mason completed he scoring. "I am pleased that we won," said manager Mark Crawford, "but not so happy that they scored when we took our foot off the pedals. But I thought our passing was good and that was most important. Man of the match was Chad GRIFFITHS; he was outstanding."

Hendon "A" brought a timely end to their disappointing losing run in the Middlesex League as the overcame Young Stars Reserves at Wadham Lodge. A single goal decided the fixture and it came from Ronald Adjekwei after 39 minutes. In the second half, Hendon stepped on the gas and could have added a few more to their tally, but the frame of the goal rescued Young Stars twice, Stephan Chambers-Bignall and Eddie Mohammed being the unlucky Hendon men. "We got it right, defensively," said a happy manager Mark Crawford. "It could have been many more than one goal today, but the bar denied us and we had a couple of other goals ruled out. My man of the match was Marco Tagajoumbi."

Hendon "A" slipped to another defeat, this time in the Cherry Red Books Middlesex League Reserve section, at home to London Tigers Reserves. Hendon again had the advantage of taking an early lead, but failed to hold on, losing discipline in defence and failing to take chances to extend their advantage when they came. Matthew Peart gave Hendon the ideal start after 17 minutes, but a lapse at the back allowed Tigers to draw level before the break. The second half was a close-run thing, but an unfortunate injury to Hendon debutant Maradona Mason saw the Jamaican teenager taken to hospital for stitches on split eyelid. Hendon then conceded a second goal with ten minutes to go. There were still chances for Hendon to come back into the game, especially when a foul on Narcisse Nono resulted in a red card for the London Tigers defender. Hendon couldn’t take advantage of the extra man. Matthew Peart was man of the match.

Hendon "A" went out of the Middlesex Federation Cup, effectively the Cherry Red Books Middlesex League open League Cup, on Saturday in disappointing fashion. They got off to a great start when Marco Tagbajumi gave them the lead after 11 minutes. It was an advantage they held for 20 minutes, before North Greenford equalised. In the second half, the men of the Social took control and bossed the boys in the Hendon team, taking the lead midway through the period and stretching in the final ten minutes. Hendon manager Mark Crawford could not be consoled with the thought that his boys had battled hard against the men. "We were very poor today," he said. "We took the lead and I felt it was a game we should have won. Everybody, me included, needs to take good look at themselves. Nobody played well enough to earn the Man of the Match award."

The under 18s eventually ran out winners 6-5 against Enfield Reserves this afternoon despite being behind on four seperate occasions. After Enfield had taken the lead in the 15th minute, Stephan Chambers-Bignall equalised six minutes later. By the half hour mark Enfield were 3-1 ahead, but a minute later Eddy Mohammed pulled a goal back, before scoring his second of the afternoon to make the half time score 3-3. Enfield regained the lead in the 63rd minute, but Ronald Adjekwei equalised once again four minutes later. Enfield went 5-4 ahead three minutes later, but Adjekwei equalised yet again in the 78th minute. The final goal came seven minutes from time when Eddy Mohammed converted a spot kick to complete his hat-trick after Chad Griffiths was fouled. There was time for Enfield to miss a penalty of their own, but the Greens were able to hold on for the win.

The Under 18s were knocked out of the Westview Youth Cup on Wednesday night as they lost 2-0 to Redbridge at Claremont Road. The goals came midway through each half.

Hendon A travelled to the south-west corner of the county on Saturday afternoon and came away from Hanworth Villa with all three points from this Middlesex County League Reserve Division fixture, courtesy of a 4-1 victory. More importantly, the quality of performance was more like manager Mark Crawford expects and demands of his players. They got off to a great start when Stephan Chambers-Bignall gave them an ninth-minute lead. Four minutes later, Chambers-Bignall got his second to give Hendon some breathing space and that was stretched further after 26 minutes when Ronald Adjekwei hit the target. Although Hanworth Villa did reduce the arrears nine minutes into the second period, Hendon added their fourth after 67 minutes and coasted to victory. Mr Crawford said, "We were excellent today. We got it right and I’d give the team ten out of ten. It proved they can do it. I had two men of the match Chad Griffiths at the back and Stephan Chambers-Bignall up front."

Hendon Under-18s have a disappointing record in the Middlesex Youth Cup in that they have yet to register a single victory in the competition. Unfortunately, that run continued on Wednesday night as Wealdstone won 3-1 at Ruislip Manor. Despite playing quite well, Hendon fell behind after 23 minutes. Although Stephan Chambers-Bignall equalised after 39 minutes, all the good work of the opening period was undone within seconds of the restart after half-time as Wealdstone regained the lead. The Greens rather lacked confidence in the second half and despite applying some pressure, it was no real surprise that Wealdstone broke away and sealed he the tie with a goal in the last couple of minutes. "We played very well in the first half," said manager Mark Crawford, "but we were poor in the second half."

Team: Kambila, Griffiths, Ellis, Graham, Gabbidon, Mohammed, Morris, Nono, Meha (Tagbajumi), Adjekwei, Chambers-Bigall (Cleary).

Hendon A were far too strong basement-dwellers Puma 2000 Reserves in round one of their Middlesex League Senior Reserve Division Cup tie at Copthall on Saturday. The damage was done by two players, Ronald Adjekwei, who scored five goals, and Franklyn Morris, who bagged a hat-trick on his debut as well as picking up the man of the match award. Adjekwei got things started in the fourth minute and Adjekwei got his second eight minutes later. There was a similar gap before Morris got his name on the scoresheet and, in the 25th minute, Adjekwei completed his hat-trick. Nine minutes before half-time, the lead was stretched to 5–0 with a spectacular goal from Morris. Adjekwei added a sixth goal, his fourth, 13 minutes into the second half, and made it a personal five-timer just past the hour mark. When Morris was pulled down in the penalty area, after 70 minutes, team-mates insisted that the 16-year-old take the spot-kick and he duly completed his hat-trick from 12 yards. With 12 minutes to go, a super pass from Morris, invited Chad Griffiths to score a rare goal and the same provider gifted Stephan Chambers-Bignall the opportunity to raise double figures. Manager Mark Crawford, while pleased that the potential banana skin had been avoided, he was not entirely satisfied, saying, "I think we can play much better than this so I am not totally happy with the performance today."

On Saturday afternoon, the confidence that comes from being undefeated got in the way of the necessary application of the A team and they went down 3-1 at Harefield Ex-Servicemens Reserves. Things looked good in the early going and Adilson Lopes gave Hendon the lead after 13 minutes. But three goals in 12 minutes were enough to decide the match. The equalizer arrived after 21 minutes. Six minutes later Harefield Ex-Servicemen were in front and when Jackson Ellis was adjudged to have used his hand to control a bouncing ball in his own box, the referee awarded a penalty. It was duly converted and Hendon went into the break trailing by two goals. The Greens battled hard, but the damage was done and Harefield, also defending an unbeaten record were able to hang on for the victory. "I felt we were much too confident going into the game," admitted manager Mark Crawford, "and we paid for it. We didn't play particularly well and didn’t take our chances when they came. I hope this match will go down as a lesson learned."

Hendon "A" returned to Middlesex League Reserve Division action on Saturday and made it four wins out of four with a 5-3 defeat of Young Stars at Copthall. A see-saw first half saw Hendon take the lead through Eddie Mohammed after 12 minutes. He scored from the penalty spot. But Young Stars, who enjoyed the upper hand against Hendon in the Under-20s Division last season, hit back after 22 minutes to draw level and they took the lead seven minutes later. Mohammed, however, scored an equaliser for Hendon after 42 minutes and the teams turned around all square. In the second half, Hendon took control. Tiago Lariata gave Hendon their second lead after 56 minutes and, nine minutes later, Adilson Lopes made it 4-2. The win was just about guaranteed when Lariata grabbed his second of the afternoon with 17 minutes left. Young Stars grabbed a consolation third goal after 79 minutes. "I'm still not too happy with the performance," admitted manager Mark Crawford. "We were very sloppy defensively and conceded three goals, but we got five and the three points, which I am pleased with. My man of the match was Adilson Lopes."

The under 18's run in the FA Youth Cup came to an end this evening as they lost 2-1 to Wealdstone. The Stones were by far the better team in the first half and took the lead in the 18th minute when Francois Gabbidon pulled down an attacker in the 18 yard box and the penalty was converted. The lead was doubled 20 minutes later when a defensive lapse let in the goalscorer at the far post. The Greens came out in the second half determined to put things right and were rewarded within 5 minutes when Eddy Mohammed bundled home the ball from close range after very good work by Ronald Adjekwei. The Greens worked hard throughout the half and reduced the visitors to sporadic attacks, but were unable to find a way through for the equaliser.

The under 18's opened their first FA Youth Cup campaign for some time with a 3-0 win over Kingsbury Town. The Greens opened brightly and were unfortunate not to score an early goal. Kingsbury had a free kick which was dealt with comfortably by Conor Carroll in goal, and in the 19th minute came the opening goal courtesy of Ronald Adjekwie who scored from close range into an empty net. Hendon then took control of the game, and it was no surprise when the lead was doubled in the 35th minute when man of the match Adjekwie scored his second of the evening after fine work on the left wing by Otis Kingsley. Kingsbury made a double substitution at half time, and the change gave them a spark that seemed to disrupt Hendon who became more and more scrappy as the half progressed. Kingsbury had a few half chances to get back into the game, but the attempts either went wide or Carroll was able to deal with them well. The final goal came with a minute to go when substitute Ashraf Toughienu capped a fine performance with his first goal for the club. Manager Mark Crawford was happy to have won, but very unhappy with the second half performance. The reward for the victory is a home tie against either Wealdstone or Banbury United.

The under 18's have had an unexpected boost with the news that they have been awarded the points for their defeat at North Greenford United Social Reserves. The reason behind the decision is unknown, but as a result they have moved to the top of the table.

The under 18's returned to winning ways with a 3-2 win at Bedfont Sports Reserves despite being behind twice. After the home side took the lead, Eddy Mohammed equalised. Bedfont regained the lead, but Jake Brennan was able to score a second equaliser. The winning goal was scored by Narcisse Nono.

Hendon, fielding almost an identical line-up to the one which had played 18 hours earlier against Edgware in the Westview Youth Cup, simply were unable to cope with North Greenford United Sports Reserves outfit at Copthall on Saturday afternoon. With only 12 players available, Hendon were struggling from the very outset, but they should have taken the lead after 33 minutes when Narcisse Nono was fouled in the penalty area. He picked himself up and took the spot-kick, but failed to convert it. It proved to be a costly miss because North Greenford took the lead in the last minute of the first half. A magnificent drive from Jake Brennan brought Hendon their equaliser in the 69th minute. He was some 40 to 45 yards from goal when tried a shot that flew into the top corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance. However, with ten minutes to go, and Hendon almost at a standstill, North Greenford snatched a winner. Manager Mark Crawford said, "We tried hard, but we ran out of steam. On Friday night, after the Edgware match, I asked the boys if they wanted to play today and almost all of them put their hands up."

Team: Kambila, Griffiths, Dabengwa, Peart, Gabbidon, Meha, Brennan, Nono, Chambers-Bignall, Mohammed, Parker (Kingsley, HT)

The under 18's won their Westview Youth Cup first round tie against Edgware Town 1-0 this evening. The decisive goal was scored from the penalty spot in the 80th minute by Eddie Mohammed after an Edgware defender handled the ball in the area. It was Hendon who had the better chances to score otherwise, the best falling to Otis Kingsley, Francois Gabbidon and Stephan Chambers-Bignall. The reward for progressing in the cup is a home tie against either Redbridge or Ware who are yet to play their first round tie.

Team : Kambila, Griffiths, Liban (Mpangwie 70), Carroll, Gabbidon, Peart, Brennan, Kingsley, Chambers-Bignall (Akinrinade 90), Mohammed, Nono (Meha 65)

Hendon's Under-18s squad, playing as Hendon "A" in the Middlesex League Reserve Division this season, got their 2005-06 campaign off to a winning start at Spelthorne on Saturday afternoon. They were on top for most of the game and finally turned their domination into something tangible in the 71st minute when Stephan Chambers-Bignall converted a chance. The victory was sealed in stoppage time when Otis Kingsley craftily lifted the ball over the Spelthorne goalkeeper into the top corner for an excellent goal. Manager Mark Crawford said, "It was good stuff. The football we played made me happy and I thought we were excellent. Two players stood out for this afternoon, Otis Kingsley, not only for his lovely goal, and Eddie Mohammed."

The under 18's opened their pre-season build up with a 2-1 victory over Harrow Borough. Matthew Peart opened the scoring in the first half, with Jahbez Wilson doubling the lead in the second period before Harrow scored a consolation. However, manager Mark Crawford was disappointed with the performance and said that there would have to be huge improvements before the league campaign starts.

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, Senior Reserve Division and the games will generally be played on Saturdays.