Hendon played out an interesting if largely uneventful goalless draw with Northwood at Chestnut Avenue on Saturday. Both teams cancelled each other out on a warm afternoon which was freshened by a sharp shower.

Northwood's team contained a number of former Hendon players, including James Reading and James Burgess, while player-manager Mark Burgess was a second-half substitute. Up front former Green Jon-Jo Bates, played behind Garry Senior and another with Hendon links, Niko Muir, who proved to be the Woods' most dangerous attacker.

It would be unkind to say that the description was damning with faint praise, but neither team displayed any great potency at the business end of the pitch and Jefferson Louis didn't have a single clear opening for Hendon.

In an equal first half, Hendon's best moments came from wide positions. A well-placed Tony Taggert cross was headed wide by Dave Diedhiou and a beautiful ball into the box from Brandon Horner was directed just the wrong side of the near post by Anthony Thomas.

Sam Flegg and Carl McCluskey made a couple of important interventions, but the Greens had an escape when Bates scuffed a good chance and did little more than roll the ball towards Cameron Inch.

Both Lee O'Leary and Dean Cracknell were guilty of taking one touch too many when shooting options outside the penalty area presented themselves, but Northwood's defenders also deserve credit for shutting down the chances quickly.

The multitude of changes made during the second half resulted in a more open contest and the two starting goalkeepers were forced to make one excellent save each.

First Reading did well to palm aside a drive from Thomas. Just before he was replaced Inch showed good reflexes to block a drive from Muir when the ball ricocheted around the penalty area and fell at his feet.

Aaron Morgan nearly won the game when a good shooting opportunity presented itself. James Burgess, however, got a half-block on the attempt and diverted it straight to Reading.