Cray Wanderers first visit to Hendon since March 2014 ended in defeat as the home side won a lively encounter on a warm, still afternoon to make it back to back defeats for Neil Smith’s side.

Both teams came into the game with three points each and the first half went from end to end with Hendon the more sharper and scored twice firstly through a Joe White penalty on 16 minutes and then Shaun Lucien made it two five minutes before half time.  Hendon scored a thind in the 51st minute scored by Kai Brosnan for his third goal in three games before Cray pulled a goal back through Nyren Clunis in the 71st minute.

Cray were looking to bounce back from the 0-2 defeat to Cray Valley (PM) on Tuesday night and from that side into the team came Dontai Stewart and Harrison Sodje who returned to the club after a successful loan spell during 2022-23 from Leyton Orient in place of Kenny Coker and the injured Tom Bonner.  On the bench was another returning full back from last season, Emmanuel Kwatchey.

Both teams started the game on the front foot and Hendon had the first real opportunity in the 4th minute when Tarik Gidaree set up Niko Muir whose shot was cleared off the line by Quade Taylor. At the other end, Lateef Adaja saw a cross-shot that was deflected behind for a corner and then Stewart saw an effort which lacked power held by Luke Campbell.

Then from a breakaway Hendon came close when Kai Brosnan set up Shaun Lucien whose effort was goal bound but Shaun Rowley did superbly to get down to turn the ball aside.  Then Dontai Stewart shot wide for Cray.

The game continued to be played at a quick pace and in the 12th minute Muir’s ball from the right to the far post was met by Blaise Riley-Snow but Rowley did well to save with his legs.

A goal looked to be coming and did in the 16th minute from the penalty spot after Lucien was clipped just inside the area by Taylor and from the spot although Rowley got his hand to the ball Joe White scored his second goal of the season.

The match then had a short lull before Cray threatened to get back into the game with firstly David Smith and Stewart combined to set up Nyren Clunis who shot over the top.  Then, Smith down the left fired into the side netting and a Darion Dowrich cross was well claimed by Campbell.

Ten minutes before half time Hendon almost scored a second when Brosnan down the left laid the ball across to Lucien but shot into the side netting.  This was followed by a clever strike fro Kurtis Cumberbatch from outside the area down the left which hit the top of the crossbar.

In the 40th minute Hendon scored their second as Cumberbatch and Muir combined down the right and the ball to the far post was fired under Rowley by Lucien.

Cray at this stage needed half time and just before the break Rowley who had a busy half made another save to deny Lucien a second goal.

HT:  2-0

In a bid to get back into the game, there were three changes at half time for Cray with Arezki Hamouchene, Kenny Coker and Emmanuel Kwatchey entering the fray.

To begin with it seemed like the game was continuing as the first half ended and Hendon scored a third in the 51st minute when Kai Brosnan showed quick pace to burst down the right and tucked a shot past Rowley to give Cray a mountain to climb.

Cray had much more of the play in the last half hour and Coker fired over and then Hamouchene set up Dowrich who shot wide as did Charlie Edwards shortly after.  Then Hamouchene found Coker whose effort was blocked as Hendon were defending stoutly.

In the 71st minute Cray did pull a goal back when Dowrich found Clunis whose shot was charged down by the Hendon defence but reacted quickest to pounce and slot home from eight yards.

This led to more concerted pressure from Cray but couldn’t quite fashion one big chance to get a second goal. The Wands did win a couple of corners and Hamouchene’s cross to the far post just couldn’t get a connection from Anthony Cook and Cray claimed a possible penalty for handball in the last minute of the game.

In the end Hendon had merited the win through their first half performance but Cray with quite a young side after the break made it a good contest but after the result drop down to 16th place and next for the Wands are league leaders Lewes on Saturday at the start of the Bank Holiday weekend.

Hendon:          Luke Campbell, Tarik Gidaree (Lucas Perry, 76), Sam Adenola, Blaise Riley-Snow (Bayan Aman, 85), Dave Diedhiou, Ethan Light, Shaun Lucien (Hamza Bin-Semakula, 66), Kurtis Cumberbatch (Ronnie Mfinda, 90+1), Joe White, Niko Muir (Excellence Muhemba, 76), Kai Omoko Brosnan

Scorers:          White 16 pen, Lucien 40, Brosnan 51

Booked:           Adenola 24, White 71, Perry 83, Campbell 90+4

Cray Wanderers:         Shaun Rowley, Darion Dowrich, David Ijaha (Emmanuel Kwatchey, H/T), Quade Taylor, Harrison Sodje, Lateef Adaja (Anthony Cook, 82), Charlie Edwards, Frankie Raymond (Arezki Hamouchene, H/T), David Smith (Kenny Coker, H/T), Dontai Stewart: Sub: Alfie Evans

Scorer:            Clunis 71

Referee:          Neil Fyfield

Assistants:       Philip Evans, Kovilen Sawmynaden

Att: 261