Hendon boss Gary McCann watched his side cruise to victory over local rivals Harrow Borough on Monday but has urged his side to convert more of their chances.

Having previously drawn 1-1 away at East Thurrock United on Saturday, the lively Leon Smith gave Hendon the lead against Borough on 35 minutes.

Left-back Oliver Sprague then sealed the victory two minutes into the second half when his shot was deflected into the top corner – his first goal for the club.

The Greens will entertain Enfield Town on Saturday and McCann wants his team to be more ruthless in front of goal after missing a host of chances against Harrow.

He said: “Some of our play warranted more than a 2-0 scoreline. If the game had finished four or five nil I don’t think it would have been an unfair reflection, given how much we dominated.

“It’s pleasing that we’re creating, but we have now got to take it to the next plateau and start turning these chances into real scorelines.”

Centre-forward Kezie Ibe has started the season well and it was he who netted the Dons’ goal against East Thurrock – but he was guilty of missing two clear-cut chances against Borough, while having a goal ruled out for offside.

McCann is confident the 31-year-old will be on the scoresheet again soon: “I thought the disallowed goal was unfortunate,” he said. “I didn’t think he was offside, looking at his body shape and where he had come from.

“The two other chances he had – to be fair to Charlie Horlock he made a fantastic save in the first half, and the second one he has maybe rushed it a little.

“He’s had chances, he knows he has, but he’s getting into really good positions and creating plenty for the team so I’m more than pleased with him.

“He has got three goals in six games, which is a one in two goal ratio – it could be more and he will want more but it is a good return.”

McCann went with a 4-3-3 formation against Harrow and the hard work of wingers Aaron Morgan and Smith were vital to limiting Harrow’s attacking threat.

McCann is pleased that his message has been taken on board by all. He said: “We do play a certain way and we do make demands on them – and if you’re not comfortable on the ball then you won’t be around us for very long.

“Any player that plays under me will know that I demand first and foremost that you match the opposition. If you can better them physically and energy-wise then your quality is going to come through.

“If players don’t give their manager that from the first whistle then you’ve got a problem.

“We try to be as pleasing on the eye as we possibly can but also efficient and purposeful, and I think at the moment we have got the balance right. We’re defending as a unit – not just a back four and the goalkeeper.”

Midfielder Sam Murphy stood out with another composed performance and McCann is delighted with the impact the youngster has had so far this season.

He said: “He was signed in the summer – he is a Futsal England player. He was at Aldershot 18 months ago and has had some time away from the game in terms of senior football over that period, focusing on his futsal.

“You can see the way he handles the ball – he is very comfortable on it and his energy levels are frightening, beyond anything I’ve worked with.

“He does a lot of these mud races and triathlons. There is more to come from him and others in the offensive areas of the pitch.”

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