To the Loot Stadium, Claremont Road for a top of the table clash. City are 3rd in the League with 57 points from 31 games and The Dons are 4th with 53 from 27. A big game postponed from Boxing Day. Hendon have lost only 3 games this term, the last in mid November. Familiar faces at Hendon include Rob Haworth with 4 goals from his last 5 games, Lee Harvey, Steve Butler and Martin Randall, both injured today.
For tonight, Cookie selected Wilmot in goal, 4 at the back: Evans, Brown (C), Moran and Naylor; 4 in the middle: Kean, Challinor, Hyatt and Oakes; and up front Martin and Slinn. On the bench: Young, Lodge, Standen and Deacon.
The first half was awful. Hendon are a big physical side who play tight on their man and City had no answer. It wasn't pretty to watch. Hendon had the better of the half, with Wilmot required to show his pedigree on several occasions. The Saints didn't realy threaten. H.T. 0-0.
It's a game of two halves, and I hope Cookie has notes of whatever he said at half-time. After 5 minutes or so, Young replaced Slinn and his pace and commitment had an immediate effect. Throughout the side there was a level of confidence and gone were the high aimless balls of the first half. This was quality football by the visitors. Solid at the back, creative in the midfield, threatening up front with the strikers beginning to lose their markers, and a high level of work-rate throughout the side.
The opening goal came on the hour. A long pass from wide in his own half by Kean found Martin just outside the box, who slipped past Harvey and cooly beat the keeper from 15 yards. A finely taken goal. 0-1. City continued to threaten and Hendon were clearly shaken. Brown was injured and replaced by Lodge. The second goal to seal the win came with 10 minutes left on the clock. Quick passing in the midfield and Hyatt found Young with space just inside the home half. He's quick. A fine run past the full back, he turned inside into the box, across the front of the keeperwho dived but couldn't make contact, adn clipped back past the other full back into the net. A fine individual goal. 0-2. F.T.
A remarkable turn-around. The two halves could not have been more different. Very good football in the second half and the first best forgotten. the marks below are on that basis. This was the football that we know the players are capable of and the work-rate. Cookie will be delighted with 3 points. MotM? They all played their part but for me, Young, Moran or Wilmot.
Entertainment 8/10. Atmosphere 5/10. Technical Merit 1st half: 3/10, 2nd half 9/10. Referee 3/10.
Report by Awayday |
