Hendon U21s were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal and lapses at the back as Bethnal Green United Reserves ran out 4–2 winners at Victoria Park in the Cherry Red Books Middlesex County League Division One Central and East.

It took five minutes for Bethnal Green to take the lead, but Hendon hit back very quickly, equalising just three minutes later.

A well-placed cross was headed into the net by Ercan YILDIRIM to make it 1–1.

Hendon really should have made their first-half domination pay, but they didn’t take their chances and took oranges with the scoreline unchanged.

Four minutes after the resumption Bethnal Green regained the lead and they moved clear with further goals after 58 and 72 minutes.

With two minutes remaining, Hendon grabbed a second consolation goal when YILDIRIM scored with another header.

“We made a catalogue of errors,” admitted manager Eamon Finn, “and we also missed far too many chances. The difference between the team was that we created chances and didn’t take them; they created chances – fewer than us – and took them. My man of the match was Dylan AGGAKO, who was tireless in midfield and won most of his battles.”

* Hendon U18s were forced to sit out another weekend when the heavy rain on Friday and Saturday left the pitch for their Cheshunt Youth League match waterlogged.