Hendon vs Brentford B - London Senior Cup 22/23

Hi everyone,

Hope you’re all well.

On Monday 20th March 2023, I attended my first London Senior Cup game - which saw Hendon FC take on Brentford B team in the Quarter-Final. I attended with my friend James who is an expert in all things low league football! The game was at Silver Jubilee Park which is the local stadium to our university, whilst I had been here before it was my first Hendon match. I am a regular at SJP as I help run the social media for the University Campus League on Wednesday mornings which is held there. We sat behind the goal in a designated wheelchair area (which thankfully was under cover) and we had a great view of the whole pitch.

Home side Hendon compete in the Southern League Premier Division South and currently sit 18th in the league. In the previous round of the London Senior Cup Hendon came away with a tight 3-2 victory over AFC Wimbledon to progress to this round. They also came into the game in good form having been unbeaten in their previous 5 league games.

After closing their academy in the 2015/16 season, when Tyrick Mitchell came to Palace :), Brentford Academy relaunched in the 22/23 season following the teams earlier promotion to the Premier League. Their academy team is now known as ‘Brentford B’, as far as I’m aware research shows they are not yet in a league and instead compete in local cups just like today’s. During the January transfer window Brentford B signed Romeo Beckham on a loan deal from Inter Miami, the teenager attracted lots of attention to Silver Jubilee Park, including his father David who sat in the crowd to support him! To progress to the quarter finals of the London Senior cup Brentford beat Erith and Belvedere FC again in a tight 3-2 match. Their most recent game was a 1-0 victory over Arsenal in the Premier League Cups, so both teams would’ve had lots of confidence going into tonight’s match.

The two teams had previously met last season in the final of the London Senior Cup. The game went to penalties after the match ended 0-0, Brentford managed to win the shootout and be named Champions … it was all to play for would it be repeat Brentford win, or would Hendon get their revenge?!

Hendon progress into the next round of the London Senior Cup after a dominate second half performance ends in a 3-1 victory over Brentford B.

It was Hendon who had the closest chance just 30 seconds into the game, their number 9 Solomon Sambou dragged his shot just wide of the post from the edge of the box.

Shortly after Hendon’s Niko Muir forced a good save from the legs of the Brentford keeper, with the follow up shot from Sambou was kept out by the woodwork!

For low level teams both teams knocked the ball round nicely at times, but other times the difference in standards were clear where some balls weren’t good enough and just went out of play.

Brentford grew into the game with their attacks predominately going down the left wing and the ball being crossed into the box. A good chance came from this but J'Neil Bennett over ran the ball and ended up losing momentum by going backwards (just like watching Palace all over again 😅).

Just before half time Brentford’s Val Adedokun missed from close range. It was a very open first half in which both teams had their fair share of the ball, both teams looked to break down each other’s defence, but neither were successful.

Hendon came out for the second half with a high intensity searching for the opening goal to give their home support something to cheer about.

Despite this Brentford looked the stronger team, they were given a penalty after Nathan Young-Coombes was illegally brought down in the box, Bennett stood up and converted to put his team ahead.

Hendon searched for a way back into the game and played some nice football around their attacking box, they came close to an equaliser but the shot from Muir was blocked by the Brentford defender.

The home sides resilience was rewarded with an equaliser from Muir. Brentford failed to clear their lines, the initial shot from Frank Keita was blocked but only into the path of Muir who got himself off the scoresheet.

Romeo Beckham was introduced for the final 17 minutes of the game, making the trip to North London for his dad worth it!

Some excellent defending from Hendon kept the scores level after multiple clearances and finally one off the line.

Hendon dominated the second half and managed to put themselves ahead in additional time. A free kick was hoisted into the box where Hendon’s first man rose high to bear his man, he headed the ball to the back post where Hendon’s main man Muir was and slid the ball into the back of the net, sending the home fans crazy.

Brentford tried to find an equaliser but just couldn’t find the necessary final ball.

With six minutes added on Hendon weren’t satisfied with a one goal lead. In the 94th minute Brentford’s Adedokun failed to clear the ball from danger allowing Hendon’s number 7 Shaun Lucien to be one on one with the keeper and make the score 3-1!

A tough night for Brentford after going ahead first and playing some nice football, but a deserved win for a resilient Hendon side.

After the match I was lucky enough to meet both Romeo and David Beckham thanks to the Hendon staff who were great and very accommodating. Both were very nice and it’s an honour to meet such a footballing legend.

With how close Hendon is to my house and how easy it is to get to I will definitely be attending more games in the future … besides nothing beats live football!!

Thank you for reading!

Ellie Xx