Misses prove costly for the Row in Trophy exit
HARTLEY Wintney were knocked out of the FA Trophy third qualifying round after a 4-1 defeat to Poole Town on Saturday.
Both teams displayed attacking intent from the start and it was the Row who had the first opportunity in the first minute.
A good move through midfield gave Mitch Parker a chance coming in from the right, and his fierce shot brought out a good near post save from Dolphins goalkeeper Mark Childs.
Poole responded and seemed to focus on chipping the ball beyond the Row defence. On nine minutes Luke Pardoe dinked the ball over the home defence to Tony Lee who shot into the side netting.
A minute later a similar move saw Lee put through again and running in, he shot wide of the goal.
Shortly after a Ben Greenwood strike from distance was pushed over the bar by Row goalkeeper Luke Williams.
Hartley then created an opening when Ben Wright set up Parker who saw his chip go past the post.
Four minutes later some enterprising play from the Row created an opening for Parker who saw his effort saved by the well-positioned
Childs. A long throw from Parker was then flicked on by Wright to Kingsley Eshun who saw his header saved by the Poole stopper.
The Row’s best opportunity fell on 28 minutes when a fluent move enabled Dom Griffiths to cross and Wright headed wide.
Hartley were to rue the chances spurned as Poole scored twice in two minutes. A long ball eluded the Row defence and Luke Burbridge, running through, lobbed Williams for the opening goal.
Two minutes later an incisive move down the right carved open the Hartley defence, enabling Burbridge to cross to Christian Saydee who tapped in from close range.
The Row began the second half well and reduced the arrears on 53 minutes. Josh Webb found Nathan Smart down the right and the Row captain was hauled down inside the area. Wright converted the resulting spot kick.
Wright then had two chances to equalise, but on both occasions his efforts were saved by Childs.
Against the run of play it was the Dolphins who added a third to make the tie safe. On 68 minutes a decent move down the left saw a precise cross from Greenwood which went over Williams and Lee headed home at the back post.
With four minutes of regulation time to play, Poole added a fourth. Pardoe crossed from the left and again found Lee. The striker’s header brought out a good save from Williams but Saydee was on hand to fire home and seal the win.