Croydon Athletic's were thumped 4-0 by Hendon on Saturday as caretaker managers Dave Garland and Bob Langford continue their rebuilding process.

The Rams, who found out after the game that chairman David Le Cluse had died that morning, were much-changed from the team that lost 3-0 to Aveley a week before with a host of new signings taking to the field.

Charlie Sharman operated pretty much on his own up front for much of the first half and an early chance fell to him in the 14th minute but his shot was saved by Berkley Laurencin in the Hendon goal.

The Rams held their own with neither team dominating, but the breakthrough came in the 25th minute when Daniel Wishart put the home side one up.

Just three minutes later Hendon came close again but Aaron Morgan’s shot was well saved by Simon Locke making his debut in the Athletic goal.

Further pressure saw Helge Orome clear off the line and a shot the other end for Kevin Sefaah went close.

Heading towards half time Wishart found himself in space in the six-yard box and netted his second for Hendon putting them 2-0 up, with the killer blow a minute later from Jamie Busby running through from midfield to leave the Rams rocking three goals down at the break.

The second half saw another good save from Locke, getting down well to a Hendon free kick.

The Rams never gave up though and Orome had a great shot on target from 18 yards which was well saved by the keeper, and Danny Elgar’s attempt was blocked by the Hendon defence.

With the minutes ticking away, a great cross in from Cody Best into the box was met by substitute Bobby Dixey, but his attempt was just wide.

The final blow for Croydon came in the 87th minute when Belal Aite-Ouakrim netted the fourth for Hendon.

Croydon kept going to the end, and came very close to scoring in the last minute when Dixey’s strike hit the crossbar, and in the last chance of the match Sharman got into a goalscoring position in the box but the keeper blocked his effort.

A win for a well organised Hendon side, but Croydon can take heart from their display.

Croydon Athletic: Simon Locke, Troy Oham-Stachan (Bobby Dixie, 56), Helge Orome, John Phillips (Dan Moody, 69), Jeremy Williams, Robert George, Kevin Sefaah, Julien Thompson (Cody Best, 32), Charlie Sharman, Callum Donaghey, Danny Elgar. Subs not used: Joe Nwoko, Adam Peck.