Match Report

Hendon
0
East Thurrock United
0
Date:
Tuesday 24 January 2006
Competition:
Isthmian League Premier Division
Attendance:
134
Venue:
TBA

Match Report

Hendon and East Thurrock United played out a poor goalless draw in freezing conditions at Claremont Road. With no Ryman League games for another ten days, it means that Hendon have picked up four points from the last three games after losing five straight.

The Greens made only one change, Dannys Murphy and Julienne swapping starting and substitute roles, with the latter going into midfield and Jeff Campbell going to left wing-back. The visitors, however, missing a number of key players, were very keen for the match to be postponed, but when referee Steve Rubery insisted it would go ahead, they were determined not to lose it.

For the first hour, at least, there was nothing wrong with the pitch and it cannot be blamed for the desperate fare provided. The referee did admit, however, that he would have had no hesitation about calling off the game in the final half-hour if players had started sliding about, but he complimented them on their attitude throughout the 90 minutes.

As for the action, East Thurrock had the only two on-target efforts of the match, both from long range, in the opening 20 minutes, but neither troubled Dave King in the Hendon goal more than having to leap in the air to catch the ball.

The Greens meanwhile enjoyed plenty of possession, showed lots of passion, endeavour and heart, but displayed poor judgment in choosing when to shoot or pass and lacked composure in front of goal.

Almost every move foundered on the Rocks' defence, where Mick Stanbrook was immense. But Hendon added to their own problems with wayward shooting. Danny Knowles, East Thurrock's goalkeeper, for whom every kicked clearance was an adventure, at least didn't have to worry about his main duty, keeping out shots, because none were on target.

He was, however, beaten by drives from Blaise O'Brien and his replacement Bradley Bubb, both of which flashed inches past the wrong side of a post from the Hendon standpoint.

Typical of Hendon's frustration was a cross from Murphy in the last minute of normal time. If the youngster had not struck the ball so hard, either John Frendo or Andy Cook would probably have been able to reach it. Instead, they both ended up a stride or two short of making contact.

"There was bundles of passion, commitment and effort," said manager Gary McCann. "It is has been good now for three or four games, but we lacked composure in the final third of the pitch."

Report by David Ballheimer

Hendon

1
Dave King
2
Iain Duncan
3
Danny Julienne
4
Ross Pickett
5
Steve Good
6
Mark Cooper
7
James Burgess
8
Andy Cook
9
John Frendo
10
Blaise O'Brien
11
Jeff Campbell
12
Dave Hunt
14
Adilson Lopes
15
Danny Murphy
16
Rene Street
17
Bradley Bubb

Match Events

52''
Bradley Bubb replaced Blaise O'Brien
Danny Dafter replaced Elliott Gresham
62''
71''
Dave Hunt replaced Danny Julienne
Leon Dossard replaced Martin Tuohy
73''
84''
Danny Murphy replaced Iain Duncan
Luke Baulkham replaced Danny Hayzelden
86''

East Thurrock United

1
Danny Knowles
2
Stuart Williams
3
Steve Harrison
4
Mick Stanbrook
5
Dean Palmer
6
Kevin Mully
7
Jon Turnbull
8
Danny Hayzelden
9
Shaun Batt
10
Martin Tuohy
11
Elliott Gresham
12
Wes Gaulkner
14
Leon Dossard
15
Luke Baulkham
16
Danny Dafter
17
Lee Patterson