Hendon U21s were undone by their inability to turn pressure and enterprise into goals as the more direct St Lawrence beat them 3–1 in Cherry Red Books Middlesex County League Division One Central and East at Chase Lodge.

An offside decision, apparently incorrect, denied Hendon the opening goal after 14 minutes and, from the free-kick, St Lawrence launched an attack and their goal counted.

It took Hendon until 16 minutes into the second half to get back on level terms.

A Freddie Boffa free-kick was controlled by Dean ROPER and he drilled it into the back of the net.

But St Lawrence’s uncomplicated style put Hendon under pressure and a defensive lapse gifted them a second goal after 66 minutes.

Seven minutes later, as Hendon chased the game, they overcommitted to attack and St Lawrence added a third on the break.

Manager Eamon Finn said: “The boys played really well today and a draw would have been a fair result. I think we played all the football today, but we could not cope with their direct style. My man of the match was Dean ROPER, who scored our goal and was generally excellent in midfield.”