By Andrew Finch

The visitors capitalised on two defensive mistakes from the Moles with quickfire goals midway through the first half, but the hosts dominated after the re-start, and were it not for fine goalkeeping and wayward finishing might have forced their way back into the tie.

Given that Hendon punched well above their weight last season in finishing sandwiched between big-spending Maidstone and Margate at the top of the Ryman Premier Division, the Moles could not have wished for a more challenging first round opponent, but they were sharper to the ball and swifter to use it in the opening exchanges.

The impressive Mel Minter in the Hendon goal made it his personal mission to thwart Stafforde Palmer at every turn, and he made the first of a string of fine saves to keep out the Molesey striker’s early volley.

Palmer nearly capitalised on Dave Diedhiou’s poor defensive header but could not divert the loose ball on target with Minter stranded, and the same player pulled an effort across goal as the hosts pressed.

Hendon were neat and tidy in possession and in ex Bedfont striker Aaron Morgan and Leon Smith had two powerhouses up front, and they gradually got themselves back into the game as the half wore on.

Ollie Robinson had to be alert to clear off the line from Smith’s header, before Sam Murphy picked up the ball 25 yards from goal and hit a swerving piledriver past Liam Allen in the home goal to give the visitors the lead.

Smith and Scott Shulton both had chances to increase the lead, and Marlon Rodney did well to prevent Morgan getting his name on the scoresheet after it looked like the striker had got the better of him in the Molesey box.

Minter denied Palmer once more at the other end, but the tie looked to be over as a contest when Smith was played in on goal and finished neatly beyond Allen with the home side appealing in vain for offside.

However, the second half saw the Moles take the game to the visitors. They pressed and harried high up the pitch, and both Dre Grobler and substitute Craig Lewington were an effective screen that starved Smith and Morgan of service.

Palmer hit a rasping drive across goal that just missed the top corner, and he then teed up Charlie Samuels, who should have done better than to drag his effort wide from ten yards.

Minter pulled off a breathtaking save from Ollie Robinson’s header, and he then denied Palmer and substitute Reis Stanislaus in quick succession.

Stainslaus then failed to get his shot away after a Lewington free kick found him unmarked at the back post, and the Moles were denied a clear penalty when James McShane was bundled over by a combination of goalkeeper and defender after Minter had once again frustrated Palmer.

Luke Tingey headed over in what was a rare incursion into Molesey territory, and Allen was perhaps fortunate to escape with a yellow card after wiping out Morgan well outside his box in the closing stages, although Robinson was arguably on the cover.

When Grobler fired over the bar in the closing stages with Minter on the floor you got the sense it wasn’t to be the Moles’ day, but they can take plenty of positives from a game in which they more than matched their higher placed opponents, and will look to build on their encouraging league start when they travel to much fancied Faversham Town on Saturday.