Hendon opened their pre-season campaign with a creditable performance despite losing 1-0 at Blue Square South side Boreham Wood.

New signings James Fisher and Sean Thomas were unavailable, as were Lee O'Leary and Rakatahr Hudson. However, there were five trialists in the squad.

Defender Bradley Fraser is already known to Hendon fans, as he made four appearances last season on loan from Boreham Wood. Also appearing were midfielders James Archer, who includes St Albans City among his previous clubs, and Carl McCluskey, who was with Bedfont Town last season, and defenders Liam Hind, who began at Hayes, and has played for Uxbridge, Harefield United, Bedfont and Walton Casuals, and Massih Mirzai who began his career as a youngster at Queens Park Rangers, and has appeared for Aylesbury United, Hemel Hempstead Town and Northwood.

Of the trialists, only Fraser and Archer started the game, with the other three coming on in the second half. The second half was also notable for the return of Junior Lewis, who played for the last 20 minutes in central defence - a strange sight for Hendon supporters who were used to seeing him play up front for much of his three years at the club in the 1990s.

It took the Greens twenty minutes to really get going, and in that first period, Boreham Wood were well in control, having already had two friendlies under their belt.

In the 3rd minute Ali Chaaban forced Berkley Laurencin into a fine save, but just two minutes later he was on the scoresheet.

Laurencin went to the edge of his area to clear the ball, but brought down a Boreham Wood player. The referee awarded the penalty, to no complaint from any Hendon players, and Chaaban calmly slotted the spot kick home, sending Laurencin the wrong way.

The home side had two chances to double the lead, but David Bryant could only fire over the bar, whilst Daryl McMahon saw his effort fly straight into the arms of Laurencin.

As the Greens settled down, they came more into the game. Midway through the half, Scott Cousins linked up well with Aaron Morgan, who carried the ball to the byline, but his cross was well cleared by James Smith.

Hendon's best chance of the half came shortly before half-time but Dave Diedhiou's 30 yard effort went safely over the bar.

The second half was evenly contested, with both sides having a few half-chances without really testing the respective keepers.

Carl McCluskey put a good shot on target early in the half, whilst Morgan was just beaten to a loose ball by the keeper around the hour mark. If Morgan had got there first and beaten the keeper, he would have had an empty net to score into.

As is often the case with friendlies, both sides made multiple substitutions during the second period, and for the final twenty minutes or so there was little of note that happened.

"That was a good work out this afternoon", said a satisfied Gary McCann after the game. "The second half display was more settled and composed, which was what we expected.

"There are one or two areas that need strengthening, but that is all in hand."