Hendon 2-1 Arsenal U18s: Player Ratings from Silver Jubilee Park

Lee Allinson’s Hendon side beat Arsenal U18s 2-1 during an entertaining pre-season friendly at sunny Silver Jubilee Park on Tuesday evening.

Boss Allinson - a rising star in non-league managerial circles - saw his side take the lead in the 21st minute after a sweeping move that saw No11 Kai Brosnan slot past keeper Jack Porter to make it 1-0.

A lively Hendon side doubled their lead four minutes later, when a superb long range effort from Hendon captain Joe White caught young guns keeper Porter off his line to make it 2-0 from distance.

While the match was certainly an instructive learning curve for young netminder Potter - who swapped with No1 Khari Ransom following the U18s 1-0 defeat at Hitchin Town at Top Field on Saturday - observers also had to simply praise the quick-thinking White for executing such creativity.

The young Arsenal team pulled a goal back through an excellent strike by No8 Bless Akolbire that flew past keeper Luke Campbell just after the half hour mark to make it 2-1.

The goal saw plenty of Gooners in the excellent official attendance of 632 celebrating Akolbire’s excellent effort at Silver Jubilee Park.

Despite creating a flurry of chances that were missed immediately after the interval, U18s boss Jack Wilshere made nine substitutions in a bid to allow his raw side valuable minutes against Allinson’s lively side as Hendon saw out the match to post an impressive victory.

Speaking after the match, a gracious Allinson praised Wilshere and his young Arsenal team calling them a “class act at a class club,” while thanking former England international and the North London giants for making the trip to Hendon take on his side.

Read on for my Arsenal U18 starting XI Player Ratings from Hendon.

No1 Jack Porter: 7/10 - Swapped with Ransom after Saturday’s defeat at Top Field. Thankfully wasn’t lobbed from distance for a second time with everyone’s hearts in the mouths. Will have learned so much from this match especially when standing firm as Hendon marauded forward after the interval. Displayed a big heart, strong character and useful distribution.

No2 Sarup Sampang: 6/10 - Good to see the England U15 star make the first XI after coming on as sub during the 1-0 loss at Top Field on Saturday. Ostensibly started as a No2 but stepped into midfield immediately. Never stopped battling but has to be careful of ceding possession. Certainly one to watch for the season

No3 Cam’ron Ismail: 7/10 - Solid in the tackle. Excellent heart and engine that helped him battle against seasoned non-league pros. Formed a good partnership with the tricky Frohock further along the left flank

No4 Marli Salmon: 7/10 - Showed excellent awareness and anticipation at times

No5 Will Sweet: 7/10 - Calm and reliable in the heart of the backline. Showed bravery when blocking, proficient in the air, and used the ball well on the deck

No6  Zac Shuaib: 7/10 - Put in a shift in the heart of battle against Lee Allinson’s lively non-leaguers and refused to be outgunned

No7 Reece Clairmont: 7/10 - Showed quick feet and an eye for goal when cutting inside to unleash a superb shot that Campbell somehow tipped over 

No8 Bless Akolbire: 7.5/10 - Displayed an excellent technique to fire past Hendon keeper Luke Campbell just after the hour mark to halve the deficit 

No9 Dan Casey: 7/10 - Lively and worked well with Copley to fashion space. Forced Hendon keeper Campbell to save well twice from angled and curled efforts before the interval. Exciting to watch driving forward with the ball

No10 Louie Copley: 7/10 - Never stopped running in a bid to create space. Showed an excellent touch but equally not afraid of tracking - and tackling - back when required  

No11 Marley Frohock: 7/10 - showed Silky skills out on the left flank to trouble the Hendon backline 

Arsenal XI: Porter, Sampang (Gyasi 67), Salmon (Onyekachukwu (67), Sweet (Ogunnaike 67), Ismail, Shuaib (Ibrahim 67), Akolbire (Murisa 67), Copley (Marciniak 67), Clairmont (Oyetunde 67), Casey (O’Neill 67), Frohock (Annous 67).

Attendance: 632