Hendon continued to improve preseason form as they overcame Chertsey Town at Alwyns Lane on Tuesday night. More important than the result, it was the performance that pleased manager Tony Choules.
He said, "This was much better. We are starting to gel together and the passing was there tonight. I am very pleased."
The Greens were on top for most of the game, but they nearly fell behind to a snap-shot from Ian Brooks that clipped the outside of Dave King's right post after 26 minutes.
A minute later, both teams were forced to make a change, Danny Buckle replacing Kevin Cleary for the Curfews and James Burgess taking over from Usif Bangura, who had suffered a calf injury.
In the 32nd minute, a long downfield punt from King deceived Buckle and John FRENDO latched onto it. He brought the ball under control and drove it imperiously past Mike Bolger.
Two minutes later, King, having given Hendon the lead, took it away. He tried to gather a dipping cross from Jamal Dacosta, but spilled the ball into the path of Matt GRIFFITHS, who had time to control it, steady himself and roll the ball into the unguarded net.
On the stroke of half-time Hendon regained the lead. Eugene Ofori was unceremoniously brought down just outside the Chertsey penalty area. The free-kick hit the wall and rebounded to Dave Hunt, swept the ball out to Burgess. His pinpoint cross picked out OFORI, who exacted revenge on his assailant in the best possible way - burying the ball in the back of the net.
In the opening 14 minutes of the second half, Frendo, twice, Rene Street and Mark Nicholls all failed to increase the Hendon lead. But a minute after Bolger had denied Frendo's second opportunity of the period, he was helpless as FRENDO knocked home a Dave Nolan cross to make it 3-1.
Thereafter Hendon were very comfortable, with Frendo a constant danger. A fourth goal, however, proved elusive, but King was easily the least active goalkeeper on show.