Uxbridge v Hendon
Game two of the 24/25 season took me to my 39th new ground since this Tractor Boy started wandering, a visit to Honeycroft to check out good things I’ve been hearing about Uxbridge FC. After an uneventful train journey to West Drayton I set out to follow the walk to the ground which Google told me would take 35 minutes. In reality it took 15 minutes so I’ve no idea who gave Google those figures, maybe they popped in the grill on the way!
The ground itself is tucked away behind an industrial estate but is easy enough to find. The first thing you’ll come across is a spacious clubhouse with a decent bar and a large function suite around the back. There’s plenty of space to sit outside too (if the Great British weather decides to play along!) so plenty of room to have a nice comfortable drink and chat. The bar has a decent selection of beers, I had a pint of London Pride which was priced at a reasonable £4.
Going into the stadium itself and you have a food van selling burgers, hot dogs etc, sadly not open for this visit but you could get food from the clubhouse. There is also a cabin where you can get drinks called the Red Shed. The ground has seated stands on both sides of the pitch and also covered standing areas behind both goals if the weather gets a little dodgy. Pitch is 3G which was only opened in October 2023 so you’re always going to get a good playing surface.
This pre-season match pitted Uxbridge against Hendon, a side from the league above, step 3 to Uxbridge’s step 4 so this would be a good test for the hosts. The visitors started very brightly and dominated the first twenty minutes, playing some nice one touch triangles and stretching the home side with quick incisive passing. Hendon made a hatful of chances in the early exchanges and did take the lead in the 12th minute, a quick break down the right flank led to the winger playing a lovely ball across the six yard box which evaded all the defenders and was slotted home at the far post.
Uxbridge tightened things up after the first twenty and started asking a few questions of the visitors defence but another quick break in the 36th minute, this time down the left, saw them win a throw in. This was taken quickly, the forward turned inside the right back and fired the ball across the keeper into the far corner from just inside the area.
H-T: Uxbridge 0 Hendon 2
The second half saw a whole raft of substitutions, the away side making six or seven changes including a change of kit. Because of the multiple substitutions the half had a lower key feel to it but with Hendon still on top. They managed to rattle the woodwork three times and also force the Reds keeper into a couple of smart saves before adding a third right at the death. Some great play from the substitute winger down the right ended with him pulling a cross from the byline into the path of an onrushing team mate who dispatched it into the net with the keeper stranded.
Uxbridge’s best chance came with a good run down the left flank ended in the six yard box where the ball was poked across the box but the Hendon keeper managed to get a strong hand to it and gathered.
A good runout for both sides, getting minutes in legs is what pre-season is all about and giving any triallists the chance to show if they can bring anything to the party.
F-T: Uxbridge 0 Hendon 3
I thoroughly enjoyed my day out at Uxbridge and found them to be a very welcoming and friendly club. I had the pleasure of chatting to their chairman, Mark, and it was interesting to hear more about the club, their aims for the season and how they are trying to help out their community during the current economic difficulties. They are offering season tickets for £50 and a match rate of £5 for adults and a £1 for children, which is a great initiative. They’ve also produced a very plush booklet where you can find out more about the history of the club and introduces the playing and management staff which you can take away with you.
There is a real family feel and community feel to the club and I’ll definitely pop back during the course of the season to see how they’re getting on. Their aim is promotion this season although that may be a big ask as they’re in a tough division among some big spending sides.
If you are local and fancy watching some affordable football or a hopper who hasn’t been yet, they’re well worth a visit.
Good luck to both Uxbridge and Hendon for the coming season in their respective leagues and hope to catch up with both soon.
