Match Report

Hendon
6
North Greenford United
0
Date:
Tuesday 12 December 2006
Competition:
Middlesex Senior Cup
Attendance:
58
Venue:
TBA

Match Report

Hendon's first ever senior meeting with North Greenford United proved to be little more than an extended training session as the Greens enjoyed a 6-0 Middlesex Senior Cup romp. Their quarter-final assignment, though not as difficult as it might have been, will be a home tie against BGB (Southern) League One West club Hillingdon Borough, who beat Yeading.

Jamie Busby replaced Belal Aiteouakrim for the only change to starting line-up from that which had beaten Carshalton Athletic in the League three days earlier. On the bench Bontcho Guentchev was replaced by his compatriot Boris Bogdanov - who, like the player-coach, also began his career at Etar - while Dean Green returned from suspension. Unfortunately for North Greenford, they were without their most experienced players: former Hendon man Chris Sparks, ex-QPR player Lee Charles and the much travelled Jason Tucker.

The Greens took full toll on their inexperienced rivals, opening the scoring after 21 minutes - this after failing to take three good chances before that. A corner from Lee O'Leary was only partially cleared and Brian Haule fired through a cluster of players, past the unsighted Alexis Rossis, just inside the near post.

In the 33rd minute, another cross from the right wing picked out Ross Pickett and his powerful, downward header was perfectly placed so Rossis's dive went over the ball on its way into the net.

The only worry for Hendon in the first half was a facial injury picked up by James Parker. He had to make was for Bogdanov at half-time, resulting in something of a reshuffle.

Bogdanov was quick to make an impression down the right side. He and Busby linked up well and the former provided the cross from which Haule extended the lead after 61 minutes.

Five minutes later, Haule was possibly denied his hat-trick. Running at the North Greenford defence, he spotted the chance for a shot and let fly from 20 yards out. The ball flew past Rossis and either crashed against the angle of post and crossbar or the stanchion at the back of the goal. Either way, the ball rebounded straight back into the field of play.

Referee Wes Linden and his assistant were sure the ball had hit the frame of the goal and the reaction of the players and the management team on the bench suggested the officials got the call right.

Either way, Haule was taken off a minute later, definitely denied a hat-trick, and Green replaced him. Green was soon in the action, running onto a through ball from O'Leary and finishing with great simplicity.

In the 73rd minute, Green had his second, sweeping the ball into the net after Rossis had denied Rakatahr Hudson a goal.

There was a further reshuffling on the Hendon team as John Munday made way for Ryan Newman. The new centre-back pairing was Pickett and Jazz Rose, with birthday boy and captain for the day Wayne O'Sullivan going to left-back. O'Sullivan twice went close to stretching the lead further, once with a run and shot, the second from a free-kick, but he failed to hit the target on either occasion.

James Burgess also tried to get in on the act, but his powerful drive went straight at Rossis. Another attempt beat the goalkeeper but was off-target.

Five minutes from time, Hendon wrapped up the scoring with a header from Newman. He rose well and directed his effort cleverly, bouncing the ball off the foot of the post and the diving Rossis.

To complete a good evening for Hendon, Richard Wilmot made a good late save to deny North Greenford a consolation goal their efforts certainly deserved.

"This was a thoroughly professional performance," said a happy Gary McCann after the game. "We were very disciplined and didn't let up."

Report by David Ballheimer

Hendon

1
Richard Wilmot
2
Jon Munday
3
Wayne O'Sullivan
4
Jazz Rose
5
James Parker
6
James Burgess
7
Rakatahr Hudson
8
Lee O'Leary
9
Brian Haule
10
Ross Pickett
11
Jamie Busby
12
Ryan Newman
14
Takumi Ake
15
Boris Bogdanov
16
Dean Green
17
Adilson Lopes

Match Events

21''
Brian Haule
33''
Ross Pickett
46''
Boris Bogdanov replaced James Parker
61''
Brian Haule
63''
Dean Green replaced Brian Haule
66''
Dean Green
Danny Allen replaced Scott Raper
70''
73''
Dean Green
75''
Ryan Newman replaced Jon Munday
Jon Feehan replaced Jamie Jack
76''
85''
Ryan Newman

North Greenford United

1
Alexis Rossis
2
Jason Richards
3
Gary Saville
4
Scott Raper
5
Dale Jones
6
Dean Pleasant
7
Jamie Jack
8
Paul Middleton
9
Jon Hill
10
Liam Bird
11
Lee Gritt
12
Danny Allen
14
Jon Feehan
15
Gary Senior