Hendon paid the price for some dismal defensive errors on a scorching hot afternoon in Swindon on Saturday afternoon, the hosts cruising to a 4-1 win.

Lee Allinson made two changes to the side that were so unfortunate to lose their opener against Yate Town, replacing the injured Tarik Moore-Azille with Guri Demuria, while Frank Keita came in for Isaac Galliford, who stepped down to the bench.

Hendon were very much architects of their own downfall with all four goals down to defensive errors.

After fifteen minutes, Tommy Brewer was looking to shepherd a long ball out for a goal kick, however, was unaware of James Harding lurking. The former Yate man kept the ball alive and squared for Harry Williams who confidently finished beyond the exposed Marcin Brzozowski.

Hendon’s response was good and for ten minutes they looked the better side. Keita went close twice, firstly from a smart corner routine, firing narrowly over, and then after Joe White had legally won the ball in a challenge with the Swindon goalkeeper, firing wide of a gaping goal when anything on target would have levelled the game.

The sucker punch came ten minutes before the break when the Greens carelessly gave the ball away in midfield. A simple ball over the top played Harding in behind Demuria and his finish was precise to double Swindon’s advantage.

Although the Greens started the second half brightly, the third Swindon goal had to be seen to be believed. Centre half Tyrone Duffus collected possession from another loose ball forward midway inside his own half. He carried the ball into midfield, then out to the right flank, then along the by-line before cutting back for Williams to plant the ball across Brzozowski and into the net. At no point did a Green shirt lay a finger on Duffus, never mind put in a challenge.

There was some reward for the Hendon faithful midway through the second half when Rohdell Gordon’s effort was spilled by Connor Johns, and Joe White pounced to score the rebound.
However, any hopes of a comeback were extinguished three minutes later.

Another casual ball out from the back found a Swindon shirt and Williams was sent scampering clear. He looked to go around Brzozowski, who made contact with the ball deflecting it away with his foot towards the touchline.

The referee waited a moment and then awarded the penalty kick. Brzozowski was cautioned for the challenge before Harding sent him the wrong way from the spot.

The official afterwards admitted after the game that had the match been televised, the decision would probably have gone to VAR, however, his snap judgement was that the Hendon goalkeeper had caught the striker before the ball. Lee Allinson later admitted that although he thought his goalkeeper had clearly won the ball first, the decision had no bearing on the result.

The final twenty minutes saw Swindon continually break through Hendon’s high line and create several good openings that they didn’t take advantage of, as they claimed their second handsome win of the season so far.