Solid home form continues, keeps us in touch with the leading pack.
Well deserved 3 points, an error in the first minute from Aaron Watkins, maybe it could have been a different outcome but highly unlikely in my opinion.
Long through ball from Hendon, Aaron Watkins mistimed clearance fell invitingly to Ex United player Florian Ada, he shot effort superbly saved by the recovering Watkins. United dominated the chances from that point and only the Hendon keeper kept the scoreline respectable. Remi Onabanjo had plenty of the ball and was a thorn in the side for Hendon all afternoon, drifting in off the left hand side, opening space up for Hinds and Miskin to exploit, overloaded the “Dons” right side on several occasions. First chance fell to aforementioned Onabanjo, neat work in midfield set Remi free, in on goal opted for power, a nice height for the keeper who turned his effort away at the near post, out for a corner.
Best chance of the half fell to Hinds, again down the United left, low cross finds Hinds 6yds out inside of his right foot smashed against the keepers legs and cleared. Breakthrough cam on the stroke of half time, Hinds disguised reverse pass into the path of Onabanjo, this time popping up on the right side, inside the box low cross swept home from top scorer Sam Ashton. Hendon biggest opportunity a penalty shout midway through the half. Striker bearing down on goal, Watkins of his line, it looked like he saved with his leg then made contact with the striker, ref waved play on. HT 1-0
Second half drifted along without much in the way of goal mouth action. Strong sliding tackle from Mcknight in the centre circle, took ball and man booking, minute later Mcknight again foul Hendon players surrounding the ref fora second yellow, ref gave him final warning, immediately replaced by Nasha. Substitute Kaunda challenging for a goal kick, ricochets into the path of the somewhat subdued Flaherty, driving into the box stepping across his man, brought down by a clumsy challenge looked like a penalty. Ref points to the spot, Ashton steps up slams the ball into the bottom right hand corner. Simon made a few subs and not sure if the plan was to sit back and defend our lead but sit back we did and allowed Hendon to gain some momentun for the first time in the game. Right footed shot from the edge of the box, deflected off a Miskin foot up and over the stranded Watkins. Nervy 7 minutes of stoppage time, seen out by the United rearguard, no clear cut chance created for the away side. FT 2-1
Mom Remi Onabanjo all the good work from United going forward came from the diminutive winger.
Jack Mcknight decent in midfield, need him back to his best in midfield. I feel he has the ability to control the pace and tempo of the game for us in midfield, something we have lacked in games especially away from home. Still searching for match fitness with his stop start campaign so far.
Egham up next and wont be a classic, after watching the reverse fixture, second game of the season i believe. Tough to breakdown and super organised defensively, main threat will be set pieces. Our poor performances on the road so far this season will not make it a certainty of 3 points.
COYH