Hendon powered to a convincing EvoStik Southern League victory against Merthyr Town at Silver Jubilee Park in London.
Cole Brown, a 20-year-old former Uxbridge, Welling and Hayes midfield player, scored twice in the first 22 minutes with Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick adding the third.
Merthyr’s misery was complete when Ashley Evans became their fifth player to see red this season. He was sent off for a second bookable offence and it was the second time he has been dismissed.
The other three Martyrs are goalkeeper Joe Perry, who missed the game at Hendon because of his one-match ban, Kyle Patten and Kerry Morgan.
Hendon’s win lifted them three points ahead points of Merthyr, who have one game in hand and a better goal difference.
The Martyrs are fifth in the table, dropping one place as a result of this defeat.
Centre-forward Ryan Prosser had a good chance with the score at 0-0, but he was denied by an outstanding Danny Boness.
Cole struck with Hendon’s first after 15 minutes and added his second seven minutes later, but the Martyrs kept battling.
Prosser’s cross was cut out during one dangerous raid, while Lee Lucas had a shot saved by Boness.
Hendon rarely looked like extending their lead during the opening hour and Merthyr were still looking to battle back, but their hopes were dashed when scored after 73 minutes.
Then came the departure of Evans after 90 minutes, capping off a disappointing day for manager Gavin Williams and his players.
Swansea City goalkeeper Josh Gould made his Martyrs debut at Hendon, having signed on a short-term loan this week.
Taunton-born Gould, aged 21, is on a professional contract with Championship Swansea.
The former Cardiff Metropolitan University student joined the Swans after playing Welsh League football for Taffs Well.
Merthyr return home next Saturday when mid-table Kings Langley are visitors to the MetCoaches Stadium (3pm).
Hendon: Danny Boness, Howard Hall, Lee Chappell, Bayley Brown, Luke Tingey (Taishan Griffith 46), Adam Pepper, Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick, Matty Harriott (Prince Mbengul). Connor Calcutt (Ricardo German 58), Cole Brown. Subs not used: Riccardo Alexander-Greenaway, Gianni Crichlow, Shaun Lucien.
Merthyr Town: Josh Gould, Joe Hunt, Kyle Patten, Craig McDonnell, Ian Traylor, Adam Davies, Ashley Evans, Lee Lucas, Kerry Morgan, Ryan Prosser, Kieran Lewis. Subs: Connor Young, Matthew Harris, Gavin Williams, Tom Meechan.
Attendance: 249.
Merthyr Town’s remaining fixtures in 2018
November
December
Saturday 8 v Kings Langley (home)
Tuesday 11 v Poole Town (home)
Saturday 15 v Harrow Borough (away)
Tuesday 18 v Weymouth (home)
Saturday 22 v Chesham United (home)
Wednesday 26 v Frome Town (away)
Saturday 29 v Swindon Supermarine (away)
