Hendon Under-16s produced one of their best performances of the season to overcome Manor Youth on Sunday morning.

On a difficult pitch and with a howling gale in their faces, Hendon, nonetheless took the lead after just three minutes, Zola Msimanga converting Billy Williams cross. Five minutes later Manor Youth were level, a corner being bundled home from close range. Battling into the wind, Hendon still managed to regain the lead after 21 minutes, Msimanga this time being the provider for Junior Abass. On the stroke of half-time Hendon had an escape when a Manor penalty struck a post and bounced away to safety.

In the second half, balls forward - which slowed perfectly for Hendon players to reach during the opening period - now blew beyond their runs and the game became very cagey. There were few chances at either. Then, with nine minutes to go, Hendon conceded a second goal, once more from a corner which bobbled around the penalty area. The only difference was the shot which beat Charlie Fulton came from the edge of the penalty area. With seconds remaining, Hendon launched one final attack. The ball fell to Abass, some 25 yards from goal. His shot was strong and true and it nestled in the net to give Hendon victory.

"In the end, we thoroughly deserved the victory," said an ecstatic manager Paul McGreal. "We are now three games unbeaten. In many ways this victory is even more satisfying than the 6-0 win over over Harlington last week, although I thought when they equalised that would be it for us and we’d go on to lose the game. It was very hard to pick a man of the match today, but for his winning goal, Junior Abass gets it, just ahead of Shaquille Tyndale-Weekes, who was superb in midweek.