Following Saturday’s frustrating late defeat at the hands of Canvey Island, a reverse that saw Dulwich Hamlet slip to 12th in the Ryman League Premier Division eight points shy of leaders Leiston & their 100% record, Gavin Rose’s men go again at Hendon’s new home of Silver Jubilee Park on Monday afternoon.

After so long wandering in the wilderness, the Greens finally kicked off life in the Isthmian League in their new home in Kingsbury at the start of the current campaign but following a strong preseason prelude, the opening day defeat at the hands of newly-promoted Worthing proved something of a choker. In front of a healthy crowd of 321, it was the Sussex Rebels who swiftly established control though it took until just after the hour mark for Worthing to turn that dominance into goals. Just after the hour mark full back Will Hendon’s incisive run and cross to the back post from the right was met by Reis Stanislaus to find the net from close-range. The goal sparked a goal rush from the visitors with winger Harvey Sparks eating through the left flank before angling a shot past Berkley Laurencin into the far bottom corner just five minutes later. With Stanislaus adding number three a dozen minutes after his opener it was an unhappy “homecoming” for Hendon.

A change of formation brought a change of fortune at Kingstonian in midweek but despite taking the lead with Finbarr Robins’ 76th minute goal, the Greens were pegged back almost immediately as Ryan Moss headed home the leveller from Pelayo Pico Gomez’s cross. Had it not been for some fine early saves from K’s ‘keeper Rob Tolfrey though it might have been a three-point evening for the travellers a share of the points seemed a satisfying return.

However, any momentum failed to carry over to the early season North London derby at Wingate & Finchley’s newly renamed Maurice Rebak Stadium. Blustery conditions did not for an entertaining spectacle make with the Blues mastering conditions better than the Greens. The only goal of the game came just after the half-hour mark, a breath-taking free kick from 30 yards out courtesy of Steve Wales, one that gave Laurencin zero chance of saving. Hendon did make a fist of things after this but failed to find the necessary penetration to salvage a point.

A midweek encounter with Burgess Hill Town back at Silver Jubilee Park looked to be going the same way as Hendon trailed late on to Daniel Thompson 70th minute goal for the Hillians, only rescuing a point in the dying embers of the game. Just 2 minutes of normal time remained when Karl Oliyide found the net from close-range tucking away Robins’ low cross-shot into the penalty area.

After all the early season frustration Hendon finally blasted their way to three points and much-awaited victory as Dulwich Hamlet Old Boys (AKA Merstham) were narrowly bested in a harum-scarum game of seven goals and a red card for former Champion Hill hero Xavier Vidal. Neither team had had an auspicious start to the campaign, both winless and having scored a combined total of just seven goals so the fans might have travelled more in hope than expectation. However, the game got off to an explosive start, Dan Bennett’s opener for the Moatsiders swiftly cancelled out by the travellers as Marc-Anthony Okoye scuffed a cross past Phil Wilson in the Merstham goal. Indecisive defending allowed Hendon right back a free run into the box on 25 minutes and clipping the ball neatly over Wilson the Greens’ skipper put the visitors in front. Five minutes later Tutu Henriques’ fluffed attempt at a clearance fell kindly for Arthur Lee and he had the simplest of tasks to put Hendon 3-1. However, the gap was halved within three minutes as another of Gavin Rose’s former pupils, Callum Willock thumped home a header from Alex Addai’s delivery. Five goals in the first half and more to come. On 55 minutes Seeby’s volley from Spencer McCall’s free kick made it 4-2. A second yellow and an early departure for Vidal with a quarter-hour left should have sealed the deal for Hendon but the ten men of Merstham rallied. Aaron Hopkinson’s left wing cross sneaked inside rookie ‘keeper Brendan Norris’ far upright to narrow the gap to a goal but further scares there were few leaving the Greens’ faithful to celebrate a win at last.

Monday’s game takes place at Silver Jubilee Park, Townsend Lane, West Hendon, London NW9 7NE kicking off at 3.00 pm. Directions can be found on the official Hendon FC website by clicking here

Admission is £10 adults, £5 concessions and £1 Under 18s. Concessionary rate applies for over 60s, NUS, members of the Armed Forces, members of the emergency services, NHS employees and season ticket holders at any of the 92 Premier League or Football League clubs.