MATCH PREVIEW | Horndean (H) 

Back to Isthmian League action today, as Hendon face the visitors Horndean making the trip up from the South Coast, who are coming off the back of an impressive 2-1 home win against Fareham Town. Kick off – 3pm. 

Need to know

Founded: 1887 

Nickname: The Deans 

Manager: Shaun Hale 

League: Isthmian League - South Central Division 

Stadium: The Stanley Chase Stadium 

Capacity: 2000 

Hendon 

The Greens will look to take the positives from Wednesday night’s narrow loss on pens to QPR in the Middlesex Cup and get back on track in the league, as we face Horndean at home.  

This past week the boys were tasked with trying to go again in the Middlesex Cup against a spirited group of QPR youngsters, who fielded no more than eight 16-year-olds. Whilst Hendon did more than enough to win the game, it would be a story of two brilliant goalkeeping performances that stole the show in the shootout, as QPR came out victorious. 

Ben heavily rotated the side for the previous game, with key players including Niko Muir, Dave Diedhiou and Bradley Dixon-Smith all rested for a good chunk of the game. Going into Saturday, it will be interesting to see whether Ben brings back in his trusted starters or gives an opportunity to players who impressed on Wednesday. 

New signing Kyron Richards got off to a great start, playing as a flying wing-back and being a constant threat down that side, with dangerous crosses. Also, goalscorer Jardell Stirling was a colossal force at the back with several key blocks and was a constant threat at set-pieces.  

If The Greens are going to change their fortunes, they will need to take the game to a struggling Horndean side, who have proved this season they have frailties at the back. With the attacking prowess of Muir, Ada and Lucien, there is more than enough quality to get a few goals. 

Opposition 

Established in 1887, Horndean has spent most of its illustrious history no higher than step 5, mostly competing as founding members of both the local Hampshire divisions and Wessex League. This was until they made history in the 2022/23 season with a remarkable Wessex League & Portsmouth Senior Cup double, under the tenure of long-serving boss Michael Birmingham. 

The club's promotion to the Isthmian Football League for the first time ever meant significant upgrades were made to Five Heads Park and finished 14th in their first season back in Step 4. Last season saw a reshuffle in the management department with Michael Birmingham leaving in December 2024 after 9 long years at the club to join League rivals Bognor Regis Town. 

 It would be Shaun Hale who would take over the reins in Hampshire and guide the club to a safe 17th place finish. The Deans have had a really challenging start to the campaign, as they sit 21st in the League, losing 7 out of their opening 11 games.  

Despite their poor run of form for most of the season, Horndean have shown signs of life, as recent as this past Tuesday when they beat fellow Hampshire strugglers 2-1. It was new signing Ewan Lynch who grabbed a brace to get his first goals for the club.  

This will be a historical game for both clubs, since we meet the visitors for the first time in history. Not only sentimentally will this be an interesting encounter, but also tactically Hale likes to set his team up in a compact 4-4-2, which may give us an advantage, as we can use our three-man midfield to control the game and exploit gaps left in the middle of the park.  

We look forward to welcoming Horndean and their fans to Silver Jubilee Park for a historic first ever meeting and wish them all a safe journey to and from the game.