Hendon’s visit to Ware on Tuesday evening for their latest pre-season friendly ended in the same result as on their last visit in July 2022, namely a 4-2 win for Hendon.

As at Shepherd’s Bush a week ago, Hendon met up with former players, this time Ware goalkeeper Fred Burbidge and centre-back Joshua Okotcha.

The Greens starting eleven contained two new trialists, one a midfielder and the other a goalkeeper in place of Josh Strizovic who was unavailable for this and the next two matches. Lucius Russel was present, but it may have been felt that it was unwise to start him in goal given that he only turned 17 at the end of June.

After some early skirmishes from both sides, Hendon took the lead after 5 minutes with what many supporters felt was a strong contender for goal of the season, even at this early stage. Quick and effective passing in midfield released Tyler Notley down the left wing, and his cross from the bye line was met by SAM SHABAN inside the six-yard box and his flick gave the ‘keeper no chance.

About ten minutes later Ware should have been level. An untidy defensive challenge led to a penalty being conceded, but the spot-kick hit the post and stayed out. At this stage both sides were playing some good football, and a few minutes after the penalty miss a hydration break was taken.

Just before the half-hour mark Hendon increased their lead with another goal of some quality. The build-up was similar to the first, but this time Florian Ada crossed from the bye line, and RADU-MIHAI STEFANOAICA shot home left-footed from about eight yards out. There was no further scoring before half-time although both sides had chances, so Hendon led 2-0 at the break.

Both sides made changes at half-time, Hendon making seven, with an eighth, Dave Diedhiou, replacing the starting #15 trialist around the hour mark.

It took Hendon seven minutes to open the second-half scoring with yet another quality goal. Hendon’s defence broke up a Ware attack, and the ball was fed to the number #14 trialist, who surged forward and passed out to Reece Nicholas-Davies on the left wing, who beat his man and crossed. ISAAC STONES moved towards the near post to meet the cross and his glancing header went into the far corner, again giving the ‘keeper no chance.

For the next 20-25 minutes Hendon went off the boil a bit, some of the first-half sharpness being missing. It may have been felt that a three goal led was sufficient, but such a lead is never sufficient when playing Ware, and they pulled two goals back to trail by just one goal with 15 minutes to go. Neither goal could be blamed on the visiting trialist goalkeeper, as the first goal was scored at the second attempt after he had saved a shot, and the second goal was at the third attempt after he had made two saves.

In the last 15 minutes the result could have gone either way, but almost on the stroke of time Hendon scored their fourth. After some pinball in the Ware penalty area, DAVE DIEDHIOU’s shot was deflected on to a post, and the rebound struck a Ware defender and entered the net.

This is not the first time in a friendly at Ware that a Hendon player has been credited with a goal which competitively would have been an own goal. Club career records are based on league and cup matches only.

Hendon played some really impressive football, particularly in the first half, while Ware showed enough to suggest that they should have a season free from relegation worries.