The match started quietly with neither side getting near their opponents goal in the opening minutes. Hodson looked strong, commanding his area well, and demonstrated that he was good at kicking the ball too.
The Ducks first chance fell to Adam Campion, after Alex Stanley's low, pacey cross went all the way across the area. However the shot from Campion was easily gathered by Hook. Most of United's attacking play was going through Campion, and a counter-attack saw the winger break free. He squared the ball for Julian Charles, but the striker couldn't quite extend his leg far enough to reach the ball.
Hendon's first chance was ironically nearly an own goal. From a Lee Harvey long throw, Craig Maskell toe-ended the ball, and it looped up towards his own net. The back-peddling Hodson made a good save to keep it out.
Fiston Manuella missed a header at the near post from a corner as the Ducks attacked, before Dale Binns skewed a volley well wide at the other end. Soon after Binns got free in the box, but headed straight at Hodson from 2-yards, when he should have scored.
All the Ducks attacking moves were coming through the lively Campion, and it was the winger who found himself in unfamiliar territory to head the ball straight at Hook. For his next trick Campion hit a cross shot that was saved at the near post by Hook.
As the half came to an end, Fiston Manuella was injured in a nasty challenge with a Hendon player. The incident occured right under the referees nose, but was deemed not to be a foul by the official.
Half-time: 0-0
Rory Hunter replaced Manuella after just 2 minutes of second half play, with the Fist still feeling the effects of his earlier challenge.
From a counter-attack Joe Baker raced clear, before delivering an excellent cross to the un-marked Campion. Unfortunately the youngster went for the spectacular, and attempted a Di Canio style mid-air scissor kick, which flew over the bar.
Hendon went for broke as they quickly made two substitutions, Woolner and Haworth replacing Hollingdale and Endersby. Woolner nearly made an instant impact as he provided a cross for Paul Towler to meet with a powerful header from three yards out, which he placed wide.
Aylesbury's best chance of the game came in the middle of the second half, and again Campion was at the centre of it. From another counter-attack Campion played the ball to Charles, who held the ball up well, before rolling it into the path of the advancing Maskell. Maskell's well struck shot didn't quite dip enough and went over the bar.
The match by now was end to end stuff as both teams looked for a winning goal. Twice Hendon put good crosses into the box, and twice the attacker came within half a yard of connecting with the ball.
Kezie Ibe replaced Campion as Aylesbury went for it.
After a couple of half chances wasted by both teams, disastor struck and Hendon took the lead, in the 3d minute of stoppage time. A shot on goal was deflected to another Hendon attacker, who shot at goal. The ball was spilled to a defender, who when trying to clear the ball kicked it against Greg Williams, who unwittingly sent Hendon home with all the points. 1-0 Hendon
The Ducks will count themselves extremely unlucky not to have taken at least a point from this game. The defence was encouragingly strong throughout the match, and at times the Ducks showed some good attacking play. However, goals are in short supply at the moment. Hopefully this will be recitfied on Monday against Flackwell Heath.
Aylesbury United
Hendon
Bedford Town
Grays Athletic
Bishop's Stortford
Sutton United
Boreham Wood
Basingstoke Town
Canvey Island
Ford United
Chesham United
Hitchin Town
Harrow Borough
Aldershot Town
Hayes
Enfield
Heybridge Swifts
Billericay Town
Maidenhead United
Hampton & Richmond Borough
Purfleet
St. Albans City