Hendon fail to revive glory days as Hampton win easily
Hendon 0, Hampton & Richmond Borough 3 HENDON failed in their attempt to win their fourth Middlesex Senior Cup this century when they were thumped by Conference side Hampton and Richmond at Uxbridge FC on Easter Monday. The Dons were making their first a
Hendon 0, Hampton & Richmond Borough 3
HENDON failed in their attempt to win their fourth Middlesex Senior Cup this century when they were thumped by Conference side Hampton and Richmond at Uxbridge FC on Easter Monday.
The Dons were making their first appearance in the final since their remarkable post Millennium hat-trick, which saw them win the cup each season from 2002 to 2004.
But Hampton, last season's Ryman League winners who lie fourth in the Blue Square Conference, proved too good for Gary McCann's men.
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"In the first half we matched them and played very well and gave them a lot of problems," said McCann.
"They are a well-oiled machine and very professional and a lot of their players have won major trophies."
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Hendon began brightly and took the game to Hampton, but were continually unable to break through the Conference side's solid defense.
The Dons continued to threaten but in the 26th minute found themselves with a mountain to climb when Shaun McCauley's magnificent drive put Hampton ahead. McCann's men did well to restrict the deficit to a single goal at half time.
However, the pattern continued in the second period with Hendon playing well but struggling to create chances, while Hampton constantly threatened to score a second goal.
Hendon just about stayed in contention but the Conference outfit doubled their lead in the 82nd minute when McCauley bagged his second, drilling the ball into the net.
McCann responded with a double substitution - Danny Dyer for Casey Maclaren and Rakatahr Hudson for Davis Haule - in the 87th minute.
But it was too little, too late and deep into injury time Hampton grabbed a third goal from Graham Harper.
"I thought 3-0 flattered them," added McCann, whose side are just three points adrift of the play-off places in the Ryman League premier division with two games in hand.
"I thought we played very well but they didn't give us a chance to create much."
The Dons, who return to league action on Saturday with a trip to Billericay, play Tooting & Mitcham in the final of the London Senior Cup on Apirl 22.
Hendon: Blackmore, Parker, Maclaren (Dyer), Leach, Page, Busby, Guentchev, B Haule, Aiteouakrim, D Haule (Hudson).
