Faster on the ball and more accurate in their passing, Barking made Hendon look a second-rate team for two-thirds of the game at Claremont Road, Cricklewood, on Saturday.

After that, inspired by a brilliant run through by Pat Lynch from his own half of the field, and by the enthusiasm of the crowd, Hendon began to show something of the form that has brought them success this season.

Prompted by some fine through balls from Reay, Price and Topp, Avis harried the Barking defence with his quick dashes through the middle, but Stroud and Cochrane got the ball over quicker from the wings, and two goals followed in the 72nd and 85th minutes to negative the one scored by Barking in the opening half of the game.

By their 2-1 victory, Hendon have made certain of finishing in second place in the League championship, and but for a bad spell in December when only three points were gained from four matches, might now be challenging for the top position.

Hendon had Kemp in goal, and Barking were forced to make four changes through injury. Both teams found difficulty in keeping their feet on the slippery surface, and early play favoured Hendon. After Avis and Topp had carried the ball through with a nice movement, and Price had missed an opportunity when the ball bounced awkwardly in front of goal, Barking came into the game with some fast raids down both wings.

Whinray presented Newman with a chance, but the centre forward failed to connect with his head and in the next minute Kemp saved brilliantly from Pearson and White.

Hendon were much slower on the ball, and some of the players were undoubtedly feeling the strain of the season's heavy programme.

Barking continued on attack, and in the 30th minute went ahead when Whinray headed in from White's centre. Hendon's defence appeared to be at fault here, for both Adams and Lynch could have got to the ball before the wing man.

In the last minute before half-time, Avis narrowly missed equalising with a first-time effort after brilliant play by Topp and Stroud.

The visitors continued to have the better of the game after the interval, and Claydon went close with a fine effort.

Reay moved to centre forward, Price to inside right, and Avis to inside left, but these changes brought no improvement, and after ten minutes they switched to their normal positions.

In an effort to infuse some life into his team's play, Lynch came through with the ball and Wilson brought off a grand save from the skipper's centre. Then Avis and Stroud changed positions in a combined movement anad Wilson had to dive at the winger's feet to prevent a goal.

The home team were now playing with fine spirit, and a brilliant run and centre by Avis saw Reay equalise at the second attempt. The centre-forward continued to be dangerous, and receiving the ball 50 yards out went through at a fast pace to finish with a terrific shot, to give Hendon victory.

Adams gave a sound display at centre half, and at 22 years of age should give Hendon good service for many years.

On Saturday [this paper was published on aThursday] Hendon play Tooting and Mitcham at Tooting. It is expected that Watson will be fit to resume at left back. Lane will move to left half.