Hendon began their Velocity Trophy campaign last night overcoming the strong challenge of Ashford Town (Middx) to win 3-2 and progress to a second round tie against the winners of the game between Cobham and Peacehaven.

Hendon had the dream start, seizing on two defensive errors in the opening five minutes to go 2-0 ahead. Sam Shaban opened his account for the campaign with a neat finish inside the opening 60 seconds before Nathan Brathwaite seized on a loose pass out of defence to stride forward and finish nicely with his left foot with just five minutes on the clock.

The Greens didn't have it all their own way, though, and Ashford reduced the arrears before the break through Ben Mulley's far post finish.

Brathwaite grabbed his second of the game against the run of play, finishing Florian Ada's excellent cut-back after the winger had rounded Liam Allen. Jaiden Celestine-Charles smashed home the hosts' second on 61 minutes and despite Hendon's goal leading a charmed life at times, Adam Fisher's men saw the game home following four minutes of second half stoppage time.