At Brimsdown, former Cameroon national goalkeeper André Boé started between the posts, while another newcomer was midfielder Michael Woolner. Paul Towler continuing his recovery from his knee injury from last season also started. The game was not played on Brimsdown's home pitch, but instead on the ground of J & M Sports, adjoining the Brimsdown clubhouse.

The two goals of the opening half were both from headers, but they were rather unusual. Firstly, in the 7th minute a long header from WOOLNER - many yards outside the penalty area - went close to Davis Haule, but he could not quite reach the ball. However, neither could the home goalkeeper and it rolled into the net.

After 34 minutes, Ricci Crace sprinted down the left wing and delivered a tantalising cross which appeared destined for Haule's head. Again the striker failed to make contact, but this time it was because a Brimsdown defender got in front of him and he powered the ball past his own keeper for a spectacular OWN GOAL.

The second half saw wholesale changes, but the Greens were quickly into their stride and Crace got his first Hendon goal after 52 minutes. Again displaying his excellent speed, CRACE outstripped the Brimsdown defence, steadied himself and shot low past the goalkeeper. Six minutes later, substitute David BOATENG made a telling run into the Brimsdown box, took the ball around the keeper and scored at the second attempt after a defender on the line had made a clearance.

In the 62nd minute, an excellent run by Kofi Nyamah took him clear of two defenders and his cross was met by Paul YATES just behind the far post. The header was perfectly timed and it gave him his first goal in a Hendon shirt. Fading light meant that the game ended 10 minutes early, but Hendon were more than satisfied with their workout on a very difficult pitch.

Manager Dave Anderson stressed to his squad at half-time, "The pitch may be bad, but we will not use that as an excuse for anything."