St Albans 1 Hendon...2

OTHER than for a change of occupant in the chairman's seat and the Saints making laboured progress in the FA Umbro Trophy, little seems to have changed at Clarence Park over the past few weeks.

Certainly on Saturday, Hendon discovered that life is pretty much as before as they lined up against and duly beat St Albans City for the fourth time this season.

Lifted by the midweek success at Sittingbourne, City got off to a flying start with Steve Clark scoring his 16th goal of the season and for the next 20 minutes or so the Saints looked more than a match for Frank Murphy's side but once the visitors drew level City fell apart in familiar fashion.

Hendon first threatened on 18 minutes when Tony Lynch, already booked and fortunate not to be dismissed, sent a useful effort just over the bar. Five minutes later Curtis Warmington headed powerfully against the woodwork from a Steve Heard corner.

A couple of timely interceptions by Steve Bateman cut short promising City attacks but the Dons drew level on 33 minutes.

Debut-making City keeper Paul Newell did well to parry away a dangerous low ball across his goalmouth but he was helpless as former Saint Matt Howard drove home the loose ball from the edge of the penalty area for his fourth goal of the season.

Four minutes later and the show was almost over for the Saints as Tony Kelly rose unchallenged to head home the second Dons goal at the near post from one of many Heard corners.

Either side of the interval, Andre Deleon had good chances for City, firstly with an impressive drive which flashed narrowly wide and then he panicked when clean through and presented McCann with a simple pick-up.

On 56 minutes, Newell pulled off a superb point-blank save from Paul Whitmarsh to deny the prolific former Dulwich striker his first goal for the Dons. McCann saved in comfort from a soft Justin Gentle header and the same player also wasted a gilt-edged opportunity when set up by Deleon.

Late in the day, Gary Cobb tried his luck from distance but Hendon were worthy winners as Newell made a couple of useful stops and Wes Foley headed another effort from the line.

St Albans City: Newell; Polston, Risley, Adolphe, Evans, Daly, Foley, Turner, Clark, Deleon, Gentle. Substitutes: Cobb for Clark after 45 minutes, Akinbolu and Addai not used.

Hendon: McCann; T Kelly, Simon-White, P Kelly, Warmington, Bateman, Heard, Lynch, Whitmarsh, Howard, Lewis. Substitutes: Banton for Lynch after 61 minutes, Hyatt for Whitmarsh after 76 minutes, Bashir not used.

Booked: Polston, Lynch, Lewis.

Attendance: 515.

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