SUNDAY FA CHALLENGE CUP LAST 16
APOEL 4 HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A 1

David Garbacz was left to rue the absence of key players as his Hendon team tumbled out of the SFACC at the last 16 stage after going down 4-1 against cup holders Apoel.

Rafi Kon grabbed a consolation for a Hendon team missing Ari Last, Alex Rosenthal, Avi Korman and Yoav Kestenbaum - which manager David Garbacz describes as "a major factor".

Garbacz told JC Sport: "We came away frustrated, knowing that on another day we might well have got something out of this game. Apoel were probably the best footballing side we have ever come up against. We made the cardinal sin of giving them too much respect and together with some uncharacteristic defensive errors found ourselves 3-0 down inside 20 minutes.

"We more than matched them from then on and but for some fine saves from their keeper, might have pushed them harder. I was pleased with our second half performance - in particular the highlight of which was a great 25 yard free kick from Rafi Kon - but ultimately we enjoyed the challenge and step up from playing a team like this, but did not enjoy the final result.

"Back to the domestic scene then from next week on and we intend to compete in a big way on all three remaining competitions."