The 3rd Round of the Isuzu FA Trophy was contested on Saturday last, 9th December and Hendon hosted National League South opposition for the second consecutive round. Your roving team were pleased to witness the match. 

Hendon had qualified for this stage of the competition with an exciting 2-0 victory over Eastbourne Borough in Round 2, courtesy of two goals of the highest quality.  They had previously recorded home wins against AFC Sudbury (3-1) in the 3rd Qualifying Round and Walton & Hersham (2-1) in Round 1. Step 2 Weymouth (nicknamed “The Terras”) entered the competition in Round 2, in which they won a penalty shoot-out against Dover Athletic, following a 4-4 draw at the Crabble. 

On a bitterly cold afternoon, the conditions were not conducive to good football. The strong wind, blowing down the pitch, was gusty and therefore difficult to make proper allowance for.

Hendon deservedly repeated their result in the previous round with another 2-0 win. They took the lead in the 27th minute, slightly against the run of play. They then contained Weymouth’s efforts to equalise and in added time at the end of the match, clinched their victory with a second goal.

Terras’ custodian, Gerrard Benfield was in action in the 2nd minute, saving Joe White’s backheel from Dan Matsukaka’s pass, with his legs.

Play quickly moved to the other end of the field, with the visitors producing some good moves using striker Dan Roberts as the focal point. However, the Greens’ defence stood firm. Brandon Goodship’s shot was deflected for a corner, Ezio Touray’s header was blocked and then he shot wide, when well placed. 

Joe White tested Benfield again, in the 25th minute, with the keeper using his feet to stop his shot, from Niko Muir’s cross.  

Finlay McNab put the Greens ahead in the 27th minute, after Benfield had parried Joe White’s low shot.

Weymouth resumed the attack Tom Bearwish set up Dan Roberts, who fired a high shot across the face of the home goal. Defender Joe Cook advanced up-field and headed wide from a corner, during the time added onto the first 45 minutes.

Half-time score: Hendon 1 Weymouth 0

The visitors kept up the pressure, with the wind at their backs. However, the Greens’ defenders successfully resisted, with Blaise Riley-Snow enjoying a fine match in midfield. Sam Adenola made a good interception from Goodship’s dangerous cross.

Niko Muir came close to doubling Hendon’s lead in the 56th minute, when he ran through the middle, outpacing 2 defenders, before firing past an upright.

Visiting goalkeeper, Gerrard Benfield was cautioned for handling outside his penalty area, while challenging Niko. Blaise Riley-Snow pushed the resulting freekick to Kai Brosnan, who sliced his shot.  

Brosnan made a penetrating run but fired wide. 

Teddy Howe’s run for the Terras ended, when his cross-shot was blocked.   

Newly acquired Hendon keeper, Brad House, punched Leo Hamblin’s swinging freekick away. Then Howe’s cross evaded everyone in the Green’s penalty area.

The Greens continued to defend with great determination, to deal with the visitors’ pressure.  

The Terras pushing forward desperately for the equaliser, give the Greens opportunities to counter attack. A good build up in the 82nd minute, involving Kai Brosnan and Niko Muir set up Joe White, whose shot cleared the crossbar. Then keeper Benfield saved well from Hamza Semakula. 

Four minutes of additional time was announced but this was soon extended by an incident in the corner of the pitch, at the end which Hendon were defending. This quickly developed into a mass confrontation, which referee Harry Wager, who had a very good match, dealt with sensibly, by warning the instigators, Tom Bearwish and Lucas Perry.

Hendon made the game safe with less than 2 minutes added time remaining. Kai Brosnan received the ball from a long throw, sped up the left and squared for Billy Leonard to net.

Result: Hendon 2 Weymouth 0

TEAM LINE-UPS

Hendon: Brad House, Samuel Adenola, Lucas Perry, Blaise Riley-Snow, Dan Matsuzaka, Ethan Light, Finlay McNab (Hamza Semakula 71 min), Billy Leonard, Joe White (capt), Niko Muir and Kai Brosnan.

Unused substitutes: Florian Endouvou-Ada, Simeon Olarerin, Luca Allinson and Shaun Lucien

Manager: Lee Allinson   Assistant Manager: Marc Charles-Smith   Coach: Caolan Smith    Sports Therapist: Paul Shadbolt. 

Weymouth: Gerrard Benfield, Teddy Howe, Leo Hamblin, Joe Cook, Calvin Brooks, Olu Durojayne, Elliot Bolton (Joel Rollinson 60), Tom Bearwish (capt), Dan Roberts (Keelan O’Connell 60), Ezio Touray and Brandon Goodship.

Unused substitutes: Anthony Cheshire, Eliott Rossiter, Tyrique Clarke and Jason Matthews (gkpr).

Manager: Bobby Wilkinson   Assistant Manager: Mike Percival   Coaches: Lea Barkus and Jason Matthews   Physio: Georgie Turner-Stephenson.

Referee: Harry Wager   Assistant Referees: James Keane and Rudin Preca.

Attendance: 300

Wealdstone’s home match against Billericay Town was a victim of the weather but the other two Middlesex clubs involved in this round were both successful.

Hampton & Richmond Borough equalised with the last kick of their game to earn a 2-2 draw at Southend United and then won the penalty shoot-out 4-2.  Their scorers in the 90 minutes were Ben Seymour and Rob Hall.

Goals by Nicke Kabamber (2), Dale Gorman and an own goal gave Barnet a comfortable 4-0 home win against Maidstone United.

The draw for Round 4 was distinctly unfavourable to our clubs, all of whom were drawn away. Hendon’s run of home draws has finally ended with a visit to Oldham Athletic. Hampton & Richmond Borough are due to visit Hartlepool United and Barnet will visit either Radcliffe or Redditch United. If Wealdstone win their 3rd Round tie they will travel to Chelmsford City.

Report: Jim Taylor

Photography: Chris Benn

PICKS

FULL SET