Hendon were left rueing their defensive performance on Saturday afternoon following their 5-0 defeat to a Dartford side who showed why they are currently leading the Ryman League Premier Division table.

However, whilst the defensive performance was disappointing, the standard of play going forward from the Greens was very encouraging.

Gary McCann made three changes to the starting line-up with Sam Berry, Harry Hunt and Yacine Hamada replacing Dave Diedhiou, Glenn Garner and the departed Brian Haule, who signed for Ashford Town (Middlesex) during the week.

The first chance of the game came in the 2nd minute when Dartford attacked, and Elliott Bradbrook sent a ball towards former Hendon favourite Rob Haworth, but the tall striker was unable to get a touch to the ball. Shortly afterwards Hendon's Marc Cumberbatch had to leave the pitch with a head injury which required treatment for a few minutes.

In the 6th minute Ryan Hayes was fortunate not to see a card when he appeared to raise his hands to Hamada, but the referee felt that a lecture was sufficient.

Dartford continued to attack and were awarded a penalty in the 10th minute when Berry handled the ball. There was no complaint whatsoever from the Hendon players.

The Darts skipper Adam Flanagan stepped up and sent in a well hit penalty low to Reading's right hand side, but the young keeper got down well to make a good save. Two minutes later, Reading was in action again when he was forced to an excellent save to an Adam Gross shot that was swerving just inside the post.

Hendon's first good opportunity was the next chance, when a cross from Hunt found O'Sullivan, but his shot was saved comfortably by Andrew Young.

There was controversy in the 27th minute when Dartford had what looked like a good penalty shout turned down. It had looked like Haworth was fouled in the area, but the referee ruled that it was a dive and the striker was cautioned, much to his disgust.

In the 35th minute Craig Vargas, Peter Dean and O'Sullivan put together a superb move that cut through the home defence, and ended with Hamada firing off what seemed to be a certain goal. However, Young was on hand to make a top quality save to push the ball away for a corner.

The corner was only half cleared and Berry latched on to the ball and sent in a fearsome drive at goal, but Young was on hand again to get his body right behind the ball and hold on to it first time. It was another save of high quality.

Cumberbatch, who had returned to the game some time earlier, decided that he was unable to continue and he was replaced by Marc Leach. Within four minutes, the Darts were ahead.

Haworth broke clear of the two central defenders and gave Reading no chance as he slotted the ball home to open the scoring, much to the delight of the home supporters who made up the vast majority of the 1,100 crowd.

The second half opened brightly as the Greens continued to keep up their excellent workrate going forward, and in the 49th minute Hunt made a good run and crossed into the box where Hamada forced another save from Young.

Young, sent the ball down to the other end, where Reading came out to try and meet the ball. He was beaten by Bradbrook, who slid the ball across the box to the unmarked Lee Burns who slammed the ball into the net. It was another sloppy goal conceded by the Greens.

Almost immediately Hendon nearly got a hold back in the game. O'Sullivan fed the ball to Hunt, who in turn passed to Dean, who was unfortunate to see his shot fly across the goal and narrowly wide with Young beaten.

Another good move involving Hamada, O'Sullivan and Hunt was halted when the latter was caught just offside, whilst at the other end, Reading made an excellent sliding save from a Burns header.

The Greens continued to press, but were caught out by Dartford with a break that ended with substitute Jay May sending a looping header over Reading into the net with twelve minutes to go.

Hendon refused to give up, and two minutes later James Bent was sent clear by Danny Dyer, and the Greens skipper was annoyed to see his shot go wide of the target.

With five minutes to go, Dean and Hamada linked up well to feed Hunt, but he was also unable to find the target.

Three minutes later, Dartford scored the best goal of the afternoon when a great move finished with May scoring his second of the afternoon. The scoring was completed in stoppage time when Lee Noble found the back of the net.

"It was men against boys most of the time this afternoon", said a disappointed Mr McCann after the game. "We did not cope with their strength through the spine of their team from back to front".