Hendon continued their impressive pre-season form by defeating Cheshunt 2-1 on Saturday. 

There were no new faces in the Hendon line-up but Carl McCluskey and Kevin Maclaren played their first matches this pre-season.

Hendon just about shaded the first 15 minutes and Cheshunt the next 15, with the remainder of the half an even contest.  

Chances were at a premium at both ends with defences mainly on top and neither goalkeeper overworked. 

The wind caused more difficulties to the players than the pitch and it played its part in the opening goal. 

A long ball downfield cleared the Hendon defence but held up slightly. Berkley Laurencin came to the edge of his area to collect but was under pressure from an attacker.

He lost possession and the goalkeeper brought down the Cheshunt forward to concede a penalty.

Lee Brennan, who played once for Hendon last pre-season, stepped up and sent Laurencin the wrong way from the spot.

On the stroke of half-time Hendon equalised. Isaiah Rankin, who had little success against the Cheshunt central defenders, broke into the penalty area and was sent sprawling.

The referee gave a free-kick a yard or two outside the box and Anthony Thomas drove the free-kick past the end of the wall and into the bottom corner.

Hendon only made two changes at half-time.  Chris Seeby and Thomas were replaced by Michael Duberry and Dave Diedhiou.

Hendon started the second period brightly and they were unlucky not to have taken the lead within ten minutes of the restart.

A clever move down the left involving Casey Maclaren, Tony Taggart and Scott Cousins ended with the latter swerving a shot with the outside of his left foot against the inside of the far post.

The keeper was lucky, however, in that the rebound just evaded a Hendon attacker and finished in his arms. S

After 65 minutes Hendon made six changes with an unexpected one made five minutes later when Laurencin was withdrawn as a precaution.

There was little action of note until five minutes before full time. The ball was laid back to Maclaren, whose drive struck the bar.

This time the rebound favoured Hendon, with  Diedhiou heading home from close range to maintain his goal a game record in pre-season.

Shortly afterwards Aaron Morgan should have made it three but was foiled by Danny Hancock. 

The Greens saw the match out to claim victory and manager Gary McCann is pleased with the depth of his squad.

He said, “The game wasn’t played with the same intensity and competitiveness as Tuesday night against Maidenhead, but it was a very hot day. In fact both of our Saturday games were played at a much slower tempo because of the heat.

“There was lots of good in the game, but there is room for improvement. I feel there are lots of goals in the squad this season – especially Dave Diedhiou, who has played three halves and scored three goals!

“I am pleased with the depth of the squad. We made numerous changes during the second half and there was no drop-off in the level of performance.”