An amazing goal by Laurie Topp, the 35-year-old former England captain, put Hendon on the road to Wembley in this Amateur Cup semi-final tie at Griffin Park, Brentford, on Saturday. Topp, a Hendon discard at the start of the season, was the hero of a magnificent victory, but he was as surprised as anybody with the wonder goal that put Hendon ahead after 32 minutes.

"I saw my chance and decided to have a go," he said after the game. "The ball could have gone anywhere, but once it had left my foot I knew it was a goal all the way. Derek Dawson did not seem to make any effort to save, " added Topp, who almost joined Finchley last season. I was instrumental in persuading him to stay.

Topp, who had a race against time to get fit for the match, was in tremendous form. His chances of playing were threatened by a septic leg and only the vigilence of physiotherapist Len Kilby and regular doses of penicillin got the fiery headed former England star fit in time.

Hendon's victory must make them firm favourites for the Amateur Cup. They played some dazzling football in a spectacular first half and if they continue this form no amateur team will be able to live with them.

Enfield, dubbed Hendon Old Boys because they included five former Claremont Road players, were shocked by Hendon's splendid play. Unbeaten in 15 away games, Enfield, who have a prolific scoring record, were regarded by many as invincible. This myth was rudely shattered by Hendon, who breathed confidence almost from the start.

Inspired by the purposeful thrusts of inside left Jimmy Quail, the outstanding forward afield, Hendon utilized their wings with some dashing open play.

Enfield, led by ex-Hendon idol, Tommy Lawrence, were content to launch their main assaults down the middle. This, as they realised too late, was a negative approach. With ageless Bill Fisher forming an effective barrier, and backed by the excellent covering of Jeff Harris and Ron Widdowfield, Enfield found their way blocked. For reasons known only to themselves, they neglected their wings and Roy Thomas and Alan McDonnell were constantly left out in the cold.

Hendon went within an ace of taking the lead in the first five minutes when a shot by Quail crashed against the crossbar. There was a chance at the other end soon afterwards when McDonnell shot well wide after the ball had flashed across the face of the Hendon goal.

Enfield tried to fox the Hendon defence with a crafty free kick after Fisher had fouled Lawrence just outside the area. Two players in turn raced up to take the kick, jumping over the ball at the last moment, before Lawrence tried to find a way through the defensive wall. The ruse was all in vain - Enfield were pulled up for an offside infringement.

Delightful Quail was the mastermind behind Hendon's first goal. He craftily split open the defence with a through pass just wide of Peter Terry. Left winger Terry Howard flashed round the full back but had his cross blocked. The ball rebounded to Miles Spector, who had moved to the wing to lend a helping hand, and a centre was deflected by a defender to Topp, who netted from fully twenty yards.

Seven minutes later followed the most amazing miss of the match. Enfield's clever inside-forward, Roy Agar, who was surprisingly subdued by Charlie Murphy, worked the ball in from the right wing and passed inside to Lawrence and Brian Ridley, standing in front of an open goal. Both hesitated for a moment, leaving the ball for each other. Meanwhile goalie Peter Shearing dived to his right expecting a shot. Then Ridley lashed at the ball and held his head in shame as it screamed wide of an open goal. It was almost impossible to miss, and certainly an incredible let off for Hendon.

As if heartened by this escape, Hendon crashed their way back to the other end of the field and a Howard pass was hit just wide of the target by Spector.

But back came Enfield only for McDonnell to pass up a good opportunity by smashing a shot over the bar.

Only the brilliance of Dawson prevented Hendon improving their lead close on half time. The ex-Hendon 'keeper acrobatically saved in rapid succession from Quail and Howard.

A splendid goal by tireless Brian Figg six minutes after the change over put Hendon into an impregnable position. Sent away with another glorious pass by Quail, Figg cleverly regained possession after being partially blocked by a defender and he hammered in a tremendous shot which scraped the inside of the post.

Much of the sparkle went out of the game following this second goal and Hendon went on the defensive, happy with their lead. Splendid defensive covering thwarted Enfield as they strived to fight their way back into the game but, with time running out, it was obvious that they were fighting a losing battle.

There was a heavy re-organisation of the Enfield team in the closing minutes, with left half Tony King going on the wing and McDonnell moving inside. Hendon, however, were the fitter side and Dawson had to move smartly to deal with further shots from Figg and Howard.

A clean sporting game was marred by one ugly incident when Terry, well and truly beaten by the speed of Howard, took a kick at the Hendon winger. Fortunately, he did not connect, otherwise a nasty injury might have resulted.