Hendon FC are on the verge of their best league season for 29 years after Tuesday's 1-0 win over Kingstonian.

Eugene Ofori's goal six minutes from time has left the Greens a tantalising two points away from securing third spot in the Ryman League Premier Division an achievement that would delight manager Dave Anderson.

The Greens' boss said: "We are trying to get over the finish line, which hasn't been easy with the number of games we've played recently. But if we can do it it would be excellent.

"A top-three finish would be a credit to the players, the chairman and the fans and we will just have to try and improve on that next season."

Having lost in the semi-final of the league cup to Canvey Island and retained the Middlesex Senior Cup, the Greens' have faced a fixture backlog which has seen them play seven matches in 17 days.

But the players won't be able to take a well-earned rest just yet, as tonight they entertain champions Aldershot at Claremont Road and then on Saturday they take on Chesham, while on Monday they take on Feltham in the final of the George Ruffell Memorial Trophy.

Anderson added: "We looked a little bit tired against Kingstonian but we'll keep plugging away. We finished eighth last year and if we finish third it shows we are going in the right direction as a club."

Hendon may not quite have matched the exploits of Aldershot this season but they can point to the fact they have lost fewer matches on their travels than the champions, losing just three times.

If the Greens get the two points they need it will beat their record of having finished fourth four times since 1974.

April 30, 2003 15:00