MGBSFL PREMIER DIVISION
HENDON UTD SC A 2 HARMEN 1

David Garbacz breathed a sigh of relief after defending champions Hendon were given an almighty scare by newly-promoted Harmen - with a stunning 85th-minute header from summer signing Simon Peterman clinching the points.

Greg Corin had put Hendon ahead, but Harmen rallied superbly, with an 80th minute strike from James Gershfield putting them on course for a deserved point, until Peterman's broke their hearts late on.

Playing last season’s treble winners and a team who have dominated Jewish football in recent years in their first game in the Premier was never going to be an easy task, but Harmen were ultimately disappointed not to come away with at least a point.

As can be expected with a relatively new squad, it took a while for Harmen to settle and it was during this period where Hendon took the lead as Hendond settled first at Rowley Lane, and scored a great opener when Greg Corin got on the end of a brilliant cross from Ari Last.

Conceding a goal seemed to settle Harmen and they reverted to their passing game, with some nice one-touch football. Harmen finished the half the stronger, with Joey Lazare setting the pace, chasing the ball down at every opportunity.

A half time change saw Harmen continue to put Hendon under the cosh and it was only a matter of time before the equaliser arrived, with Hendon needing to be at their resolute best at the back to prevent Harmen from scoring - in a game where Ben Weinberg impressed for the visitors.

As the match edged on, a couple more substitutions were made to freshen things up, with the lively Ricky Rinder popping up all over the pitch.

Harmen’s pressure finally told in the 82nd minute with two of our summer signings linking up - a defence-splitting ball from Omri Brinner was latched onto by James Gershfield who coolly finished past Russell Corin.

Hendon responded magnificently and came back strongly. The Reds scored a superb winner five minutes from time when Peterman paid off a large chunk of his summer transfer fee when rising majestically to head in a brilliant winner right into the top corner - and the league may not see a better header this season.

The final chance of the game fell to Oliver Leslie although, being at the wrong end of the pitch he will have been relieved to see his attempted volley clearance bounce off the inside of his own post and into the hands of Harmen’s keeper Harry Fine.

Relieved Hendon boss David Garbacz told JC Sport: "We will not have many tougher matches than this one all season - Harmen have strengthened well over the summer and they came at us very strong for the entire match.

"We showed today why we are champions - we were not at our best yet were still able to have the experience and skill to hang on and accumulate three excellent points.

"All credit to Harmen - they played exceptionally well and will be a real handful this season - they can take points off any team in this league and we are delighted to have got this game under our belt. Great match though and a marvellous advert for our league."

Harmen joint-manager Joel Alterman told JC Sport: "For our first game of the season with a new squad and in a tougher league than last year, we are very happy with the performance we put out today.

"Playing away against the strongest team in the league, we held our own and were unfortunate not to take something out of the game."