This was a tough fixture against Hendon, who narrowly missed promotion to Conference South at the end of last season. It was played on the 3G pitch at Silver Jubilee Park, former home of Kingsbury Town FC and the ground where Hendon hope to be playing permanently from 2016/17.

Woods' squad of players was missing last season’s Player of the Year Berkley Laurencin, who picked up a foot injury playing five-a-side and covering the goalkeeping position remains a major headache for Manager Mark Burgess. Youth team keeper Kamal Foster had played in the first game but this one saw triallist Adam Lawrence between the sticks.

Northwood edged the first half and should have been ahead with Dave Lawrence, Rob Hastings and newcomer Max Holland all being denied by the Hendon keeper. In the second period, the Woods did take the lead when a great move involving new signing Louis Stead and Rob Hastings allowed Holland to steer the ball home at the far post. But the lead only lasted a minute and Northwood fell away a little to eventually be beaten 4-1, Andre Da Costa hitting a hat-trick and Aaron Morgan also scoring.