Hendon were well beaten by Hemel Hempstead Town in their first home pre-season friendly on Tuesday evening, the score being 5-1 in Hemel’s favour.

For the first quarter of an hour, Hendon were a shadow of the team previously seen in pre-season, and the defence proved to be as porous as it was for a large proportion of last season. For the remainder of the first half, however, the home defence tightened up without ever really looking completely comfortable, and this gave the midfield and attack the chance to compete.

Hemel, in an unfamiliar all-green kit – Hendon wore their white and black kit from two seasons ago - were three goals up in twelve minutes. The first came after two minutes from the penalty spot after an untidy challenge in the home area, the second was a tap-in from a right wing cross, and the third was a cross-shot from the right. The Hendon goalkeeper had no chance with any of them.

Although the home side improved after this, Hemel were always in control and had the ball in the net at least three more times, but only the last counted, after 42 minutes, the other efforts being disallowed for offside. Half-time came with Hemel four goals clear.

Hendon drew the second half, scoring after 57 minutes when JORDAN WILLIAMS headed home from a right-wing corner taken by Dion Miftari, but conceding a second penalty after 83 minutes. Josh Strizovic saved this but was unable to hold on to the ball and the penalty taker had an easy shot to score Hemel’s fifth.

As befits a Step 2 side against a step 4 side, Hemel Hempstead controlled the match for long periods and never gave Hendon much of a look in. However, this provided a challenge that Adam Fisher was looking for during pre-season, and overall he seemed to be satisfied with the club’s second-half performance.