Creeksiders succumb to big festive Hendon thrashing
By Connor Steel
FAREHAM TOWN FC will spend the festive period in the Isthmian League South Central relegation area after suffering a second defeat versus Hendon FC on Saturday afternoon (December 20); eventually slipping to a big four-one loss to their opponents at the John Jenkins Stadium, Portsmouth following a change due to ongoing Cams Alders pitch issues.
The designated hosts made a bright start under overcast skies as Joe Warren drove over from the angle in the seventh minute of play, which was shortly followed by Hendon going close through a header that flicked just off-target. Fareham didn’t learn from this chance as the visitors did open the scoring via Dave Diedhiou, who simply nodded home a corner.
Charlie Cooper then saw his overhead attempt gathered in response by Hendon goalkeeper Joshua Strizovic despite a heavy pressure in the air whilst new signing George Britton had a blocked shot on twenty minutes. But Hendon weren’t lacking in the ruthlessness and when Bradley Dixon-Smith found space, he smashed the ball inside the goal for two-nil.
Hendon nearly made it three-nil after the half hour when Niko Muir broke through the middle and saw his skidding shot roll inches past the post with the Fareham goalkeeper holding his breath. But this home side found a way back into the proceedings as Cooper flicked past the keeper and this trickled over the line to make it two-one at the half time interval.
The Creeksiders came out firing upon the restart with Cam Sullivan jinxing inside the penalty box and saw his final ball cleared by this defence, who further managed to deny three corners within the fiftieth minute. Harvey Aston went close with a drive that blasted just over the crossbar after the hour mark following quick play and a pass that fell into his path.
These missed opportunities were quickly punished by Hendon when a long cross reached Sam Shaban and the striker simply headed over the onrushing Charlie Searle into the net for three-one. This was soon followed via an attack down the other end as Sam Paul was very unfortunate to brush this far side setting from a cleverly worked set piece attempt.
But Hendon were sadly proving a real threat via this counter attack and should have made it four through Shaban, who broke through and was well denied by Searle’s diving stop before he dragged the rebound over. Hendon did eventually add some extra gloss to the scores when good passing reached Harry Brant and he placed into the net to seal this win.
Other results mean that Fareham are stuck at the bottom of the standings with just two wins from twenty, and are a big fourteen points from safety although other sides have played more games. The Creeksiders will travel to Bognor Regis on December 27, before hosting both Littlehampton Town and Met Police in a busy start to their 2026 New Year period.
PICTURED BY FAREHAM TOWN FC MEDIA: Attacker places this powerful effort towards goal past a sliding defender.
