Hendon built on a hard-fought 3-2 away victory at Binfield last Saturday by thrashing fellow Londoners Raynes Park Vale 7-0 at Silver Jubilee Park in their opening home league game of the season.

It took just five minutes for the Dons to storm into a 1-0 lead, thanks to a calm finish from Nathan BRATHWAITE, who was played in by a defence-splitting pass from striker Isaac Stones. A lovely move was expertly finished off by the exciting Brathwaite.

The second goal came just nine minutes later, on the 14th minute, via a corner whipped in towards the near post. Among a sea of bodies from both sides in the box was in-form attacker Radu STEFANOAICA, who managed to get a flick ahead of the defenders to give Hendon a 2-0 lead.

Just one minute after the second goal, the ball was played through to Isaac Stones, who would have been in for number three but for an infringement by Vale defender Tobi Ogundega. The referee deemed the block to have been made with Ogundega’s hand and awarded him a straight red card, continuing a complete capitulation from the away side, who were not only 2-0 down but also a man down inside just 15 minutes.

Hendon looked even more in control of the game with the man advantage, and that control was further strengthened when Radu STEFANOICA got his second to put him at the top of the Isthmian South Central scoring charts, with four goals in just two games. He was played in by Isaac Stones yet again, a partnership that is already flourishing for the Greens!

The half-time whistle blew under the SJP lights, with Hendon 3-0 up and in cruise control against Raynes Park Vale.

Hendon started the second half well, applying more pressure to the Vale back line. Inevitably, they cracked again when Tyler Notley delivered another delicious corner, which was tapped in this time by captain Isaac CURRIE, who had a night to remember. 4-0 to Hendon, but they were far from done.

Hungry for more, just four minutes after Currie’s goal, midfielder Ta’Shae ANDALL-GIBBONS received the ball 30 yards out and unleashed a thumping strike towards goal. Although goalkeeper Fabian Witter got a strong hand to the shot, he could only parry it further into the top corner to make it 5-0. Despite not scoring for Hendon since arriving in March until the SOUL Tower Hamlets game, Andall-Gibbons now has two to his name, and both have been excellent finishes.

Hendon then entered a period of 24 minutes without a goal – the longest drought seen on Tuesday night since the gap between numbers two and three. On 75 minutes, it was Reece Nicholas-Davies’ turn to get in on the act. Florian Ada raced down the wing and put a low-driven cross into the six-yard box. Sam Shaban couldn’t quite get there but, fear not, NICHOLAS-DAVIES was on hand to pounce and extend the lead to six.

Speaking of Florian Ada, it’s not like him at all to come on and not score a goal. Three minutes after setting Nicholas-Davies up, he decided it was his turn. Scorer turned provider when Nicholas-Davies played a through ball to ADA, who slotted it under Witter at the near post. A typical Florian Ada goal to round off a terrific 7-0 win for Hendon under the lights.

4-1, 3-2 and 7-0. Three excellent performances from the Dons to start off what is shaping up to be quite the season. See you on Saturday for some FA Cup action against Hertford Town!