Hitchin 3 Hendon 0

Ryman League

Premier Division

by DAVID BALLHEIMER

If there was an element of misfortune about Hendon's FA Cup exit at Hitchin a fortnight ago, on Tuesday it was a clear case of the self-destruct button being pressed long and hard.

To rub salt into their wounds, defender Michael Woolner was red-carded.

Hitchin were gifted a 33rd-minute lead. A mix-up set up Matt Nolan for an easy tap-in.

In the 58th minute, Woolner's foul on Cliff Akurang caused his dismissal and a penalty, which was converted by Marshall.

Three minutes later, Hitchin broke and Akurang powered in a fine header.

"We were very poor tonight," admitted Hendon manager Dave Anderson. "When you are not playing well, you can at least play for a 0-0 draw. But we were guilty of Keystone Kops defending for the first two goals."

HENDON: Hook, Woolner, Clarke, Yates, Towler, Street, Fewings, Bates, Haule, Ruggles (Ofori 70), Binns. Substitutes not used: Cooper, Bubb.

Hendon will be without key strikers Dale Binns and Paul Fewings for their FA Trophy first round match against Sutton United at the Loot Stadium on Saturday.

Fewings is on loan from Chesham United but he has been ruled out after a paperwork mix-up. Binns serves a one-match suspension after being sent off in the 3-1 defeat at Maidenhead last month.

Hendon have announced that central defender Chris Sparks has retired.

October 31, 2001 17:53