Stones win firey encounter

Greensnet Editor
Sat 24 Jan 2009, 19:00

Hendon fell short in their efforts to gain revenge for Wealdstone's victory earlier this season in the last game at Claremont Road, taking the lead but ultimately losing this afternoon's game at Grovesnor Vale. Hendon made the best of the conditions early on and took the lead in the 9th minute, with good work on the left from Harry Hunt leading to an opportunity for Jamie Busby on the edge of the 6 yard box from which the midfielder made no mistake. Playing down the slope, Hendon arguably created the better chances in the remainder of the half, but the sides turned around with the Greens just a single goal ahead.

Things were looking promising for Hendon as a penalty awarded to Wealdstone in the 63rd minute was saved by Viner, but just four minutes later Hunt was felled by a challenge by Lee Chappel and after several minutes treatment was still unable to continue. Just a minute later, the Stones equalised, the ball being fed out left and the delivery into the far side of the box being perfect for Ashe to volley home. Worse was to come as just after Sam Collins came on for Hendon, he failed to clear his lines, the ball was played in from the right and an an excellent header from Greg Ngoyi put the home side in front. Hendon, looking tired by this point, still had a good chance to equalise as former Don Davis Haule gave away a penalty after catching a player at the back of the box, but Haule's effort was stopped by Sean Thomas.

By this point, the game was getting rather fractious and two minutes into stoppage time man-of-the-match Greg Ngoyi went straight through Mark Kirby in the air, most of the players then deciding to have their say in front of the dugouts. After control was resumed, Ngyoi recieved his marching orders for the challenge. Just a minute later though, James Burgess launched into a challenge on the opposite side of the pitch which Wealdstone took similar exception to - Burgess similarly was dismissed as both sides finished the game with just ten men.