James Neidle highlighted Hendon United Sports Club B's defensive resilient as the key factor as the Reds came from a goal down to beat local rivals Real Hendon 4-1 in the MGBSFL second division.
The derby that the whole of north-west London has been waiting for began with a slow start with both teams putting many passes astray.
Hendon B's tricky wingers Jono Nesbitt and Gideon Barth caused the Real Hendon full-backs problems but couldn't find the final ball into the box.
Real Hendon's tactic of long-ball football was causing Hendon B's defence issues and the deadlock was broken when Hendon B gave away a cheap free-kick 35 yards out that was taken quickly down the line and then crossed in to the back post and tapped in.
Hendon B keeper Yehuda Fink kept Real from doubling their lead with an outstanding one handed save, preventing the ball from slotting into the top corner and it turned out to be a pivotal moment in the match.
In the second half Hendon B's central midfielders began to find more and more of the ball, with Avi Mocton possibly covering every blade of grass on the field. Real couldn't deal with Mocton's strength and when the ball broke to him, Mocton With the momentum now firmly behind Hendon B, chances kept on flowing and they pressed home their advantage with further goals from Benni Sluckis and substitute Sammy Barron.
Hendon B kept the pressure on Real and when a corner taken by Gab Saul was cleared straight back to him, he manged to score from the acutest of angles with the outside of his boot, squeezing the ball between keeper and far post from 18 yards out.
Hendon B captain James Neidle told JC Sport: "I'm very proud of the lads today, especially the defence who managed to keep the talented Real Hendon strikers quiet for the vast majority of the game.
