MGBSFL DIVISION TWO
REAL HENDON 1 NORTH LONDON RAIDERS C 2
A last-minute winner from Will Ufland saw Raiders secure a 2-1 victory against a Real Hendon side reduced to nine men by full-time.
On a terrible pitch at West Hendon, where football was never going to be the winner, it was a hard-fought controversial affair in the spring sun.
With Raiders struggling to play their free-flowing football on the bobbly grass surface, clear-cut chances were few and far between. Indeed set-plays always looked the most likely chance for either side to take the lead and Hendon did just that midway through the first half with a header from a corner sneaking into the corner of the net. That was the score at half-time.
Raiders changed their tactics for the start of the second half, seeking inspiration from Leicester and playing 4-4-2 in an attempt to be more direct and put Hendon after pressure. And it seemed to play off - Raiders were more direct and looked a threat every time they got close to the Hendon goal.
The visitors got their equaliser midway through the half when a corner was flicked on and Jono Rochenberger scored. Hendon then had a goal ruled out for offside by the linesman when the Hendon player just didn't quite time his run well enough.
Both sides then pushed for a winner but it was Raiders who got it right at the death. A run through on goal from Alex Sherr saw his shot parried by the Hendon keeper only to fall to the feet of the on-rushing Ufland who couldn't miss from six yards.
Madness then ensued, in what had already been a heated game with Hendon players talking themselves into the book all game. Hendon lost two players to second yellow cards, including their goalkeeper in farcical scenes.
NLR boss Zack Gothelf told JC Sport: "This was a game we wanted to win and, on reflection, probably deserved it. We battled and kept our calm when tempers easily could have flared.
"I'm sure Hendon will complain a lot about the referee but once the dust settles they'll realise that the way some of their players acted was a disgrace to football on Sunday - I feel sorry for those among them who just want to enjoy themselves on a Sunday morning.
"We move onto what will be a great game on Sunday against Lions and it's one we are looking forward to - should be a good one for the neutral."
