Night to remember as Hendon open new home with nine-goal thriller against QPR Under-21s

Fans watch inside one of the new stands at Silver Jubilee Park (Pic: DBeechPhotography). (Image: Archant)

The turn-out was impressive on a sweltering night, with 423 people watching the Greens take on a QPR Under-21 side in Kingsbury.

The visitors eventually edged out Gary McCann’s side 5-4 in a thrilling contest, which will give the Greens boss plenty of optimism ahead of the new season, which starts on August 13.

Former Hendon loanee Brandon Adams gave the Rs the lead after just eight seconds, and Niko Hamalainen doubled the advantage just before the midway point in the first half.

Within a minute, Niko Muir had reduced the arrears though, and summer signing Spencer McCall then scored with a fine curling effort to get the hosts back on level terms heading into the interval.

Greens defender Casey Maclaren leaps above QPR goalscorer and former Dons loanee Brandon Adams (Pic: DBeechPhotography). (Image: Archant)

QPR restored their two-goal lead early in the second half with strikes from Reece Grego-Cox and Adams, but McCann’s men refused to cave in and Omar Vassell reduced the deficit after the hour-mark.

Dan Darbyshire scored again for the visitors with 15 minutes remaining to make it 5-3. However, Andre Da Costa found the net with one of his trademark free-kicks to set up a grandstand finish – and Kezie Ibe was denied a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time when he hit the post.

McCann said: “I thought we gave a fantastic account of ourselves on a night where so many people came out to support the club, and long may that continue.

“We’re looking really solid heading into the new season, and there were plenty of positives for me to take from this game.”

Hendon chairman Simon Lawrence added: “It’s fantastic to be somewhere now which we can finally call home.

“It’s been a long time coming and a lot of hard work has gone into this but we are here now.”