Saturday 26th September 2009
FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round
Vale Farm, Wembley
Four weeks to the day since Hendon reached their first nadir of the season against Kingstonian the two sides met again at a sunny and warm Vale Farm for a place in the hat for the 3rd Qualifying Round Draw with a cool £4,500 in their pocket as prize money. At the end of August Kingstonian made the journey across West London on a run of almost catastrophic proportions. 4 games played, 4 games lost with 19 goals conceded in the process. Their manager, Alan Dowson had understandably given the players that successfully brought the Division 1 South title to Kingsmeadow the chance to prove themselves in the Premier Division but for some, it appeared to be a bridge too far. Dowson, a manager who worked wonders a few years back guiding Walton and Hersham to a top half finish in their first season back in the Premier Division, decided it was time to act and signed 7 new players in time for the league match. The results were immediate, beginning with a 3-0 spanking of the Greens at Vale Farm. Bobby Traynor, Karl Beckford and Simon Huckle getting the goals. Although Hendon's performance that day has only been worsened once so far (home to Margate), for the K's it was the launchpad to embark on a 6 match unbeaten run - 5 of which were won. Hendon's record since that day had been consistently inconsistent. Wins against Cray, Marlow and Aveley being coupled with defeats against Dartford and Margate. It was with a certain amount of trepidation then, that Greens' fans approached the game, or at least this fan did.
Hendon reintroduced James Parker at centre half with new signing Pat O’Donnell dropping to the bench, Yacine Hamada, Peter Dean and Wayne O’Sullivan also returned in place of Harry Hunt, Lubo Guentchev (both of whom would play a pivotal role in the winner) and the injured James Bent. The game kicked off and Hendon began with an intensity and crispness largely missing in recent weeks. Within a couple of minutes Wayne O’Sullivan narrowly missed the target with the keeper beaten. K’s slowly got a foothold in the game and if anything, looked a better and more cohesive side than 4 weeks previously. Bobby Traynor unleashed a volley from fully 25 yards out that was heading for the top corner before James Reading intervened with a fine save. The young ex-Wycombe keeper has been the pick of the new players this season. He looks an excellent shot stopper so far and very assured when dealing with through balls and crosses. In the past, young keepers we’ve had on loan have looked nervy but he’s slotted straight in very well indeed.
Just past the quarter hour mark, Kingstonian took the lead. Simon Huckle threaded a fine pass behind James Parker for Carl Wilson-Denis to run onto. The big striker timed his run perfectly with Dave Diedhiou, neither tracking his run or stepping up to play him offside. Through on goal, the K’s striker finished with aplomb from 10 yards across
5 minutes before the break Hendon suffered a blow with the departure through injury of the lively Jamie Busby. Perhaps fortunate not to concede a free kick for a tug on Dean Lodge, Busby and Des Boateng both lunged at a 50/50 ball. From where I was stood (about 80 yards away) it looked an ugly challenge by both men and one, which if the ref had seen fit, could legitimately have red carded both players for. Busby came off the worse writhing in agony, and Kevin Maclaren was lucky not to get booked for a shove in Boateng’s face during the aftermath. As it was, no action was taken by the referee. The elder Maclaren, Casey, replaced Busby a couple of minutes later.
There was still time before the break for
Half Time: Hendon 0-1 Kingstonian (Wilson-Denis 16)
Could the 2nd half match the 1st? Could Hendon fightback? Would Kingstonian push on and consign the Greens to another home spanking? Yes, yes and no. Hendon came out and slowly began to take control of the midfield. The Maclaren brothers breaking up Kingstonian’s attacks and Peter Dean looking to dictate play from a deeper position than he’s normally used to. Glenn Garner fired just over the top from 20 yards or so with a rising drive as a sign of intent. There are few players who have worn the Green and White shirt in recent years who hit the ball as consistently well and powerfully as the former Supporters Team striker. Hendon dominated possession, Yacine Hamada ran manfully hustling and harrying the K’s defenders into rushing their distribution and on the hour mark, Hendon got the equaliser their possession warranted.
Up until that point, the Greens still looked to walk the ball into the net. Rather than shoot from 20 yards, they wanted an extra touch or an extra pass. The goal, when it came was extremely well worked. Wayne O’Sullivan swung in a terrific cross from the left wing that turned flighted between the back 4 and goalkeeper. It was too far out for Garrard to claim and found its way to Casey Maclaren just inside the penalty area on the Hendon right. He took a touch and as Garrard came out to narrow the angle coolly stroked the ball across him and into the bottom corner. The goal meant as much to him as it did the fans behind the goal. Rumours abounded last season that Casey would have to give football up such was the extent of his back injury. 12 months on from the original problem surfacing and working his way back to full fitness his joy was understandable.
The final half an hour was an excellent spectacle. Full of incident and end to end as both sides looked to avoid a Monday night replay. The heat probably helped as both sides tired, meaning the game was more stretched than it had been previously. Kingstonian fought back and forced yet another fine block from
Hendon’s pressing brought another chance for Garner, this time firing narrowly over the angle of the near post after doing well to find himself space just before being taken off. Harry Hunt replaced him and along with the 3rd sub, Lubomir Guentchev they fashioned the winner. The clock ticked past the 90 minute mark of this pulsating tie as Guentchev received the ball on the left. He took the ball into the penalty area and knocked it past John Fletcher, enticing the challenge. It duly came and as the ball ran out of play Guentchev was left prone on the floor, his feet taken from under him. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Hunt immediately grabbed the ball. Wayne O’Sullivan, so successful from the spot in his first spell at the club took exception to this and tried to wrestle the ball from Hunt’s grasp before appealing to the bench. Somehow, unexpectedly Hunt won the argument knowing that if he missed, he’d have to spend the last couple of minutes running away from an irate Sully. Behind the goal some Hendon fans turned away, unable to watch. Others leapt around as if cured from leprosy. Completely unfazed, Double H stepped up and fairly smashed the ball home beyond Garrard’s dive. Cue mass jubilation both on and off the pitch for the Green portion of the ground. The final 2 minutes were seen out without problems and as the referee blew for the last time, the Hendon fans were able to celebrate a famous and unlikely win.
On the balance of play, the winner was probably a tad harsh on Kingstonian, a draw certainly wouldn’t have been unfair. Although Hendon had had more possession, James Reading was stretched more than Luke Garrard. I like Kingstonian. Those fans I spoke to post match briefly were gracious in defeat, wishing us luck in the next round. They’re a proper Non League Club with proper Non League fans. None of this Billy Big Balls syndrome that seems to affect some others at this level. Down to earth and realistic. As we now look forward to hosting
Full Time: Hendon 2 (Casey Maclaren 60, Harry Hunt (pen) 92), Kingstonian 1
Team: Reading 8, Diedhiou 6, Vargas 7, Kirby 7, Parker 7, K.Maclaren 7, Hamada 6 (Guentchev 7), Garner 7 (Hunt 7), Busby 7 (C.Maclaren 8), O'Sullivan 6
Entertainment Value: 9.5/10
