Maidenhead Utd 3 Hendon 1

Ryman League Premier Division

Hendon's fragile confidence took another nosedive as Maidenhead scored three second-half goals to record an ultimately comfortable and deserved victory at York Road on Saturday.

To add to Hendon's woes, Dale Binns was sent off.

On loan former Boston United striker Paul Fewings made his debut for Hendon after joining from Chesham United.

Alongside him was Phil Ruggles, whose loan spell at LOOT Stadium has been extended for another month.

Ruggles gave Hendon an 11th-minute lead, with a spectacular goal almost out of nothing.

Collecting a pass from Fewings 25 yards out, Ruggles took the ball two strides and unleashed a powerful drive.

Fewings and Ruggles caused the Magpies defence problems as the visitors tried to add to their lead.

In the 41st minute Lee Channell should have equalised but, from eight yards, he failed to make contact with a cross.

Hendon manager Dave Anderson's half-time team talk focussed on two important facets; the midfielders to keep possession and the players already cautioned Binns and Paul Yates should not make any reckless tackles.

Inside nine minutes, both pieces of advice had been ignored and Hendon's chances of victory were all but over.

After 50 minutes, Davis Haule was caught in possession, and ex-Hendon man Paul Kelly drove the ball wide to Channell, whose cross was knocked past keeper Dave Hook by Obina Ulassi for the equaliser.

Two minutes later Andy Rose, a thorn in Hendon's side all afternoon, was needlessly brought down by the diving Dale Binns, who was sent off for his second bookable offence.

The best Hendon could do was a driven cross from Ruggles which Barnard pawed away.

It seemed only a matter of time before the overworked Hendon defence would concede another goal, despite the best efforts of Ren Street and Paul Towler.

It came in the 73rd minute when Rose again caused problems down the right flank and delivered a good cross beyond the far post where the unmarked Kelly rose to head the ball home just inside the far post.

Hendon's fate was sealed two minutes from time when Allen added United's third.

Anderson was far from happy at the end of the match, saying, "I thought we were very poor. After the first 25 minutes, we contributed nothing to the game and we got what we deserved."

HENDON: Hook, Woolner, Clarke, Haule, Towler, Street, Yates (Bubb 77), Bates, Fewings (Ofori 58), Ruggles, Binns. Sub not used: Sparks.

October 24, 2001 17:23