There is a quick turnaround for the Hamlet as they look to add to Saturday’s opening day victory on the road to Hendon.

Since their unhappy departure from their spiritual home at Claremont Road, latterly the Loot Stadium when the Greens had none and more recently a base camp for all the that is evil in Eastern Europe, to the Daily Mail reader at least, Hendon have found themselves cursed to wander the by lanes and backstreets of North London and Middlesex in search of place they can call home. After moving in at Wembley, the next-door neighbours of the national stadium rather than that fine edifice itself, the Greens have now decamped for pastures new pitching up at the home of Harrow Borough, Earlsmead. Yet though a wandering I Zingari club without a place to call their own, Hendon are far from a thrupenny bit club as their investment in players over the summer season has shown with some shrewd dealing in the marketplace from old Hamlet hand, Gary McCann.

Latest to join the Green Revolution was the vastly experienced defender Michael Duberry who began his career at Chelsea, making his debut nearly two decades ago. Whilst at Stamford Bridge he won the League Cup, Cup Winners' Cup, and European Super Cup. In 1999 he moved on to Leeds United for £4.5 million and played in their 1-0 win over AC Milan in the Champions League. In 2005 he moved on to Stoke City, and has since had spells at Reading, Wycombe Wanderers and St Johnstone before signing for Oxford in 2011.

Whilst Duberry will bring strength and a wise old head to the defence, it is another much-travelled player who will be hot on Hamlet’s radar, Jefferson Louis. The 34-year-old striker, a local lad, is making a return to his roots after a long career and over a century of goals for list of clubs that sounds like a ground hopper’s wet dream. Louis began his career with Risborough Rangers and Thame United before joining Oxford United. After loan spells with Woking then Gravesend & Northfleet he moved Forest Green Rovers before returning to Woking permanently. A shot spell at Bristol Rovers followed. Later clubs were Hemel Hempstead Town, Lewes, Worthing, Stevenage Borough, Eastleigh, Yeading, Havant & Waterlooville, Weymouth, Maidenhead United, Mansfield Town, Wrexham, Crawley Town, Rushden & Diamonds (loan), Gainsborough Trinity, Darlington (loan), Weymouth, Hayes & Yeading United, Maidenhead United, Brackley Town, Lincoln City, Newport County, Whitehawk (loan) and Brackley Town for whom he bagged 7 goals in 24 appearances last term. In July this year he put pen to paper with Hendon and set out his stall with a goal at the weekend as Hendon took apart Thamesmead Town, surprise front-runners in a number of bookmakers’ pre-season odds for the Premier Division title.

Whilst Dulwich Hamlet were scuttling the Lowestoft Trawlerboys at Champion Hill, McCann’s Hendon were making sure of first day top spot with a 4-0 victory down in Thamesmead. In front of a disappointing 81 spectators, given the high hopes of the ‘Mead in preseason, the Greens took a first half lead with 29 minutes on the clock as Casey McLaren fired home from distance. With that single goal still separating the teams late into the second half, the hosts must have fancied their chances of snatching a share, if not all of the points. However a missed ‘Mead opening was swiftly followed by Louis heading home, further late goals from Anthony Thomas and Brendan Horner putting the gloss a final score that apparently did little justice to Thamesmead’s efforts.

A reminder that tonight’s game takes place at Harrow Borough’s Earlsmead ground and for those of you who have yet to sample its delights more information can be found on the Hendon website by clicking here.

This evening’s game kicks off at 7.45 pm.

ADMISSION PRICES

• £10 for Adults
• £5 for Concessions (OAPS, Students with valid NUS)
• Under 16s FREE

Programmes: £2.00