We opened the season's account with a very satisfactory 5-0 win over Dulwich Hamlet.

The first 20 minutes of this game was fairly even with Dulwich trying hard to play controlled football. In fact after 17 minutes a defensive misunderstanding on our part let in Peter Dedman, the Dulwich inside-left, and we were rather fortunate to scramble away the header.

Don Whyte made some good runs but our forwards were not able to make these count. After 26 minutes, however, Dulwich conceded two corners in succession and a clearance from the second was returned into the goalmouth by Micky Cooper for Tony Harding to head a comparatively simple goal.

From then until half-time we could easily have added one or two more to our tally, a good cross by Whyte being headed against the foot of the post by Paul Clements.

Two minutes after the change of ends a Roy Sleap free kick from fully 30 yards hit the back of the net, appearing to be deflected slightly during its course. One minute later a good run by Tony Harding down the left resulted in a cross to Bobby Wilson who turned with the ball, very cleverly indeed and shot hard into the net.

Hendon were now playing with greater fluidity and the hitherto well-marshalled Dulwich defence was showing holes.

After 59 minutes a short pass from Paul Clements gave Tony Harding the opportunity for a snap-shot from the edge of the box and he shot low and accurately into the corner of the net.

Don Whyte completed the scoring after 77 minutes when he burst through and fired in from 18 yards. Dulwich almost had a consolation when with five minutes to go one of our defenders turned the ball into his own goal but Micky Cooper was there to clear off the line.