Hendon had a disappointing opening to the season as they were beaten 2-0 by Margate on a very hot afternoon by the sea.

The Greens preparations were hindered by a number of players being unavailable through injury and holiday, as well as a 4 hour coach journey to the ground caused by a serious accident on the M2.

The long journey meant that the kick off was delayed by 15 minutes, and it was the home side who had the best of the opening exchanges, including hitting the bar. However, the Greens came into the game as the half progressed creating one or two chances of their own.

The second half was an even affair, until Margate took the lead in the 68th minute when a shot from Richard Avery took a wicked deflection off a Hendon defender and rolled into the net with Mo Maan left stranded.

The lead was doubled 10 minutes later courtesy of a Carl Rook strike, and whilst the Greens did put the home side under some pressure for the last few minutes, they were unable to find the back of the net.