Hendon 1 Purfleet 0

Ryman League Premier Division

Hendon have let on-loan striker Phil Ruggles return to Woking.

The two clubs had hoped to work out a permanent deal, but the Woking board vetoed the move. Ruggles scored five times in 14 appearances at Hendon.

Also leaving is striker Joe Nartey, who scored three goals in seven appearances.

But boss Dave Anderson has signed two experienced attacking players, Leon Woodruffe and Martin Randall.

Both made their debuts against Purfleet on Saturday and Woodruffe, who joined from Maidenhead United, scored the 40th-minute goal that gave Hendon their first home win over their bogey side since 1994.

Randall, who has played in the Conference for Hayes and Woking, was also with St Albans. Substitute on Saturday, he replaced Ross Pickett after 71 minutes.

"I still want to add one more player," said Anderson. "I now feel it is my team."

Defences were on top and it was difficult to see where a goal was coming from unless there was a mistake.

And in the 40th minute, Hendon profited in that very way. Jimmy McFarlane, linchpin of the Purfleet defence, was pressurised by Woodruffe and his backpass was short. Woodruffe got to the ball before O'Reilly, and took it round him.

On the stroke of half-time, Purfleet wasted a great chance to equalise, and in the second half, Micky Woolner rescued Hendon with a goal-line clearance from Martin Buglione, whose shot had keeper David Hook beaten.

"You know what you are going to get against Purfleet, a hard battle," said a delighted Anderson. "I think that is what we got. I told the players we had to be totally committed and we were. Our attitude since losing to Croydon last month has been much better."

HENDON: Hook, Woolner, Clarke, Forbes (Binns 88), Butler, Cooper, Bubb (Burgess 90), Bates, Pickett (Randall 71), Yates, Woodruffe.

December 18, 2001 17:57