This evening sees us making the relatively short journey to the other side of the River Thames as we travel to the Excel Sports Hub to take on Walton Casuals in our latest Pitching In Southern League South Premier Division match.

Our final match of last season saw us make the same journey and come back with a 1-1 draw after withstanding heavy pressure late on and losing Jonathan North to a head injury in stoppage time. Walton finished the curtailed season in 20th place, a couple of points shy of Yate Town but looking to put a run of results together to move away from the danger zone after the return of Anthony Gale to the manager's hotseat.

Gale, son of Walton chairman and former West Ham star Tony Gale, led the Stags to promotion from Step 4 in 2017/8 and were one club, along with ourselves, that avoided the drop on the final day of the 2018/9 season. Gale moved on to take the job at neighbours Staines Town and was replaced by former Kings Langley manager Steve Conroy. Unfortunately, neither move worked out and come the beginning of March Gale was back in charge at Walton looking to mastermind another escape from the danger zone.

Tommy Brewer and Cheyce Grant will both be making returns to their former club this evening whilst former Green Cole Brown is likely to form part of Walton's squad.

Tonight will be the 6th meeting between the two clubs competitively. Hendon won both home league matches, 3-0 in August 2018 (goals from Luke Tingey, Ricardo German and Tyrique Hunte) and 2-0 in October 2019 (Tre Charles and Reece Mitchell scoring) whilst also managing to pick up a League Cup win last season at Walton thanks to a Francis Amartey goal. In December 2018 at the Hub, the Stags dished out a 5-1 hammering with James Ewington netting four times for the home side - Matty Harriott scored the Greens' consolation - before last season's 1-1 draw, Jerson dos Santos equalising Joe White's first half strike.

Tickets are available in advance and can be purchased here but there will also be tickets available on the gate.

A reminder that the usual track & trace protocols will be in place and that we have been advised that we expect there to be no bar in operation this evening.