Hendon overcame the loss of 5 players to record a 2-1 victory over of Hitchin Town at Claremont Road on Saturday. It wasn't a vintage show, but it is a sign of a good team that they can play badly and still win.

Micky Woolner, Mark Cooper, Steve Butler, Steve Forbes and Kieran Gallagher were the absentees and it meant first starts of the season for James Burgess, Pat Sappleton, Paul Towler and Byron Bubb. For the first two named it was their first appearances in the squad this season.

It took only 6 minutes for the revamped defence to be breached. Sappleton was penalised for a tackle just outside his penalty area. Dean BRENNAN struck a beautiful curling shot that bent over the wall and dipped just under the crossbar, leaving David Hook a mere spectator.

The goal stung Hendon into action, but a number of chances were wasted. First a cross from Bubb went a couple of inches over Ricci Crace. Maybe if the young striker had been in the form of the end of last season, he might have got a touch, but he needs a goal to get his season started.

In the 13th minute, he had a clear chance to break his season's duck. A downfield pass opened up the Hitchin defence and Crace was quickly onto the loose ball, running free of the Canaries defenders. James Robinson came off his line and produced a fine save to push aside Crace's shot, although it was an ideal height.

A minute later, Hendon were convinced they had snatched an equaliser. Another cross from Bubb was deflected to the far post. Martin Randall bundled the ball towards goal, but it struck the underside of the crossbar. The assistant referee did not rule that the ball had crossed the line and when Randall realised no goal had been given, he tried unsuccessfully to net the rebound.

In the incident, Hitchin defender James Ayres landed awkwardly and injured his ankle. He was stretchered off the field and was replaced by Matt Childs.

Hendon's next chance came in the 21st minute, when Jon Bone brought down Bubb 25 yards from the Hitchin goal. Bubb picked himself up and struck a curling shot which Robinson saved at full stretch. In the 35th minute, a run and shot from Bubb swerved late, but was gathered by Robinson.

Hitchin's only moments of danger came from free-kicks and Brennan'e effort on 27 minutes should have resulted in a second goal. Matt Nolan rose well and was less than 10 yards out when he had a free header. He got poor contact and the ball bounced yards wide.

At half-time, Hendon made a tactical switch, bringing on Rob Haworth for Bubb and efectively playing in a 4-3-3 formation, although Randall did play just behind Crace and Haworth.

In the 48th minute, Hitchin almost doubled their advantage when Anthony Fontenelle squeezed around the back of the Hendon defence and fired in a shot from an acute angle. The ball cannoned off Hook and bounced off the underside of the crossbar, although none of the Hitchin players claimed a goal.

Haworth's first major involvement saw him collect a yellow card. It was a poor decision from referee Mr D Margetts (Harlow, Essex), who later admitted to finding his first ever game in the Ryman League Premier Division very tough.

A high bouncing ball was gathered by Robinson as Haworth leapt for the ball. Robinson was caught on the thigh by Haworth, who like the goalkeeper, was watching only the ball. The goalkeeper recieved treatment, but was grinning as he saw Haworth receive his caution.

In the 63rd minute, Mr Margetts and his assistant, Mr Hollyoake turned down a penalty claim from Hendon. Haworth again was involved, this time after a chase downfield with Nick Grime. From one angle, it appeared that Haworth was the sinner, but Mr Hollyoake began flagging as the two players ran inside the penalty area. He pointed in Hendon's direction, signalling shirt-pulling, then advised the referee, who came over to discuss the situation, that the incident was 5 yards outside the penalty area, 10 yards nearer the touchline than was the case. Nothing came of the free-kick.

Hendon's equaliser finally arrived in the 68th minute. A long clearance from Hook caused panic in the Hitchin defence, was headed on by Haworth and fell into the path of Crace. His touch was not the most delicate and the ball bounced to BINNS, who had fired wide from a great positiion a few minutes later, but this time rifled a shot into the roof of the net.

The winner came from an unlikely source in the 76th minute. A corner from Paul Yates was aimed at Haworth and the ball was bundled away just beyond the penalty area. It bounced out to SAPPLETON who struck a sweet volley 6 inches inside the post, leaving Robinson without a hope. The Jamaican youth international's somersault celebration may not match Lomano Tresor Lua Lua's but he doesn't have that much experience of them, this being his first goal in senior football.

Hitchin almost snatched an undeserved equaliser in the last minute. A hopeful punt from Ian Scott held up in the wind and Hook could not get distance on his punch. The ball fell to Shaun Marshall, who looked up and saw an open goal. His casual shot should have brought the Canaries a point but Towler did magnificently to get back to the goalline and he hacked the ball clear.

"If Manchester United and Arsenal were without 5 players, including 3 defenders, they would struggle," said Hendon manager Dave Anderson. "We had that today, but we still won. It was a real struggle because we were down to the bare bones.

"I knew I had to make tactical change long before half time, but thought it better to do it at the interval when I could go through it with the players."