Dons boosted by second half goals

Hendon moved out of the bottom three in the Ryman League after three second half goals saw off Walton & Hersham at a windswept Claremont Road. ""The first half was a real grind,"" admitted Dons boss Gary McCann. But after the break we were much more

Hendon moved out of the bottom three in the Ryman League after three second half goals saw off Walton & Hersham at a windswept Claremont Road.

"The first half was a real grind," admitted Dons boss Gary McCann. "But after the break we were much more fluid and enterprising. Jamie Busby was outstanding today - even in the first half when everyone else was off the pace, he looked sharp and lively - and he thoroughly deserved his goal."

The first half saw only three reasonable openings, all in quick succession. After 18 minutes, a flicked-on corner reached Davis Haule but the Hendon striker side-footed the ball wide from close range. Three minutes later, Walton's Daniel Ekoku ran onto an astute through-ball, but was thwarted by Richard Wilmot.

Then in the 25th minute, Hendon skipper Lee O'Leary tried his luck with an abortive overhead kick. Walton had their best spell at the start of the second half, forcing Wilmot had to make a fine double save.

Yet, it was Hendon who took the lead on 55 minutes when a free-kick from Murphy picked out Busby, who lost his marker and although he slipped, rolled a short pass into the path of Belal Aiteouakrim who fired home.

The Dons doubled their advantage when a 66th minute corner from O'Leary found Dean Green. His downward header bounced to Brian Haule, who fired home. Three minutes later, the result was put beyond doubt when O'Leary picked out Busby with a superb 40-yard pass and he slotted beyond the advancing keeper.

Hendon travel to East Thurrock Utd tomorrow. Then on Tuesday, they host British Gas Business in the Middlesex Senior Cup.

Hendon: Wilmot, Murphy, O'Sullivan (J Burgess), Leach, Parker, Busby, D Haule, O'Leary (Hudson), B Haule, Green, Aiteouakrim (Pickett).