Late Aite-Ouakrim strike earns Greens victory (From Times Series)

A late goal from Belal Aite-Ouakrim helped Hendon defeat Harrow Borough 2-1 in the Ryman Premier Division

4:30pm Tuesday 8th January 2013 in Sport

Hendon continue to move away from the Ryman Premier Division relegation zone after a Belal Aite-Ouakrim strike helped the Greens claim a 1-0 win at Cray Wanderers.

Both sides created chances in an even opening 45 minutes but neither were able to find a breakthrough and the two sides went in level at the break.

The Greens improved in the second period and took the initiative in the game. Isaiah Rankin came close to poking home a cross but Danny Phillips missed a free header for the home side.

The game seemed to be heading for a draw before the Greens grabbed a winner in stoppage time.

A low cross into the box was controlled by Aite-Ouakrim. He steadied himself before firing home the winner.

The result extended Hendon’s winning run in the league to three matches and a pleased McCann admits the side must build on their recent form.

He said: “We like leaving it late recently. “I thought we were very good in the second half, but we put ourselves under a lot of pressure in the first 20 minutes, conceding free-kicks around our penalty area and corners. That said we defended those situations very well.

“The changes we made were very effective as Julian Owusu and Dean Cracknell gave Cray a different set of problems, Owusu with his playing style and Cracknell – not only in setting up the goal – but also in the way that he stifled Tyrone Sterling.

“We now have to build on our last three victories as the games are coming thick and fast. It isn’t ideal to have another game so soon after this one.”