HARTLEY Wintney claimed all three points against Hanworth Villa at home in a match between two mid-table despite a strong finish from visitors, writes David Graham.

The game started quietly and it was not until the 20th minute that the first chance arrived.

Row striker Conor Lynch and Reece Wylie combined well and the former shot just over the crossbar.

On 24 minutes Hartley took the lead. A through ball found Lynch who saw his progress thwarted. However, Ik Hill following up curled a shot into the top of the net. (1-0)

Villa started the second half strongly and on 46 minutes Sam Merson fed Kyen Nicholas behind the Row defence. The former Row striker saw his shot screw wide of the goal.

On 67 minutes Hartley increased their lead with a well worked breakaway goal.  Mason Obeng timed his final pass to Conor Lynch to perfection and the Hartley centre forward ran on to score past the outrushing Dean Wells in the Hanworth goal. (2-0)

The visitors pushed players forward and came close on 72 minutes to getting success when a freekick from Merson found Guy Ansah-Palmer who saw his header well saved by Evans. 

However the Villains goal finally arrived on 75 minutes when Merson played in Kyen Nicholas whose low shot beat Evans from 18 yards. (2-1)

The Row almost restored the two goal lead on 80 minutes. Momodou Jallow made good progress down the right and his cross found Lynch who was unlucky to see his shot hit the crossbar.

With five minutes to go the Row were reduced to 10 players. A through ball found Nicholas with a clear run in on goal.

Evans came out and flattened the Hanworth striker on the edge of the penalty area. He was branded a red card by referee Craig Davenport. 

Liam Gavin donned the goalie gloves and was very busy throughout the remaining minutes.

The Hartley skipper brought off two outstanding saves in the remaining minutes and deep into added time a Row defender managed to block a full-blooded shot on the line.  Hartley held on to claim their first win of 2024.