Pre Season Success 2

Day 2 kicked off at midday with the 3rd and 4th play off between Hillingdon and Bracknell. Having been warmly welcomed upon entry by Steve Hale (what a thoroughly nice chap!) I settled in for half an hour or so to watch the prolonged death of Australia's first innings at Lords with a coke in the rather impressive surroundings of the Hillingdon clubhouse. Plasma screens everywhere, a large veranda overlooking the pitch with plenty of tables and sofas no less from which to observe the action. This was where most congregated for both games, some fans made their way down towards the perimeter to observe the action. The ground itself has undoubtedly seen better days and could do with a lick of paint here and there. When taking a wander around it on the Friday night I was transported back temporarily to East Thurrock with all the portakabins and electricity substations dotted around the place. Behind the goal opposite the seated stand was what looked like a very impressive all weather complex which must bring in decent revenue streams for a club of Hillingdon's standing. It is the sort of set up that would serve any Non League club extremely well.

On then to the action. Well, what little of it I can remember. I was tucking into another of those marvellous cheeseburgers when Hillingdon took the lead, a good low ball in from the left flank was touched in nicely by the impish Hillingdon centre forward. The hosts held the slender advantage at half time in spite of a much improved Bracknell performance. About midway through the 2nd half Bracknell picked up an equaliser. An underhit cross from the left somehow left two Borough defenders in a heap almost on top of eachother at the near post as they tried to clear. The Bracknell number 8 (I think) found himself in hectares of space to neatly pick his spot inside the exposed 'keeper's far post. As both sides pushed for a winner, chances seemed relatively few and far between, I don't remember either goalkeeper really being tested. The winner came about 2 minutes from time. 3 Hillingdon players beat the faulty Bracknell offside trap where one carrot topped man rose highest to loop a header over the goalkeeper. Over the 2 days Hillingdon probably just about deserved to finish 3rd. The result was certainly to Mr Hale's liking.

With England 50 odd without loss in their 2nd innings at lunchtime it was time for Hendon and Slough to take the field. The club's last met twice within a fortnight or so in the 2006/7 season with both games key in the scrap to avoid relegation. Hendon prevailed both times, 1-0 away from home and 2-0 at home (Davis Haule scoring in both games and Belal Aiteouakrim getting the other at Claremont Road). Gary made a number of changes from the side that had played the previous evening with only Berkeley Lawrencin, Melvin Baptiste and Harry Hunt starting both games. The starting line up saw another new face in Fred Mukunku on the right flank whilst Yacine Hamada came on for Hunt at half time.

The game was quite closely fought although to be honest Hendon probably did look like the most likely winners. The only goal of the game came after 10 minutes when Danny Dyer, in an unfamiliar left back role, collected a Lubo Guentchev passed and advanced half a dozen yards or so before firing a low swerving drive at goal. The young 'keeper Jamal De Richmond got a good hand to the ball but could only help it into the net. As the ball nestled, he beat the ground in frustration. Not long afterwards he made amends with a fine save from a free kick from Guentchev whilst at the other end Lawrencin made a couple of smart stops and generally impressed with his handling and distribution.

At the turn around Hamada and Dean replaced Hunt and the ineffective Mukunku. Hamada immediately looked impressive with his movement and pace. In the 30 minutes he was on the pitch he played one outstanding pass to Garner who was denied by a fine challenge inside the box, outpaced the Slough back line before scuffing his shot badly wide when through on goal and narrowly failed to turn the ball inside the near post late on. Definitely one to look at again. Slough did create a couple of late openings that were squandered but Hendon were in the end worthy winners. Brian Haule came on for his first run out of pre season and looked a bit off the pace, hopefully that sharpness will return in preseason. New boy Sam Berry, latterly of Harlow Town and Ware showed up well in midfield as did reigning player of the year Jamie Busby. It was also good to see Mark Kirby looking a bit leaner than he did at the end of last season.

So now the club have another shiny pre-season trophy to add to the Bucks Examiner Shield that was won at Amersham Town 12 months ago. On the evidence of the weekend things look reasonably settled and with any luck some of the momentum that might have been built over the 2nd half of last season can be taken into the new season. First though there are 8 (eight, as the vidiprinter would say) more preseason dates to get through starting with games away at home to Wembley on Tuesday and at Bedfont Green on Thursday. Will I be at either? Quite possibly. In any event,

C'mon the Greens!