Hartley hang on and hit back after midweek loss
MILLERICK HAPPY AS WIN TAKES HIS SIDE UP TOWARDS MID-TABLE
HARTLEY Wintney bounced back from the previous Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat by Dorcheser Town to beat Swindon Supermarine 1-0 in the Southern League Premier South on Saturday.
The Row claimed all three points at home to Marine thanks to a second half goal from Kingsley Eshun.
And manager Anthony Millerick was particularly pleased with the way his side defended.
I felt we showed a fair bit of quality in our play,” Millerick said. “We did really well in the first half and created chances.
“We kept the Marine strikers - who are useful - quiet for most of the match.
“Overall I felt we were the better side and deserved the win.
“The defending was good and the clean sheet is pleasing.
“After Tuesday night this was a very good performance and I am pleased.”
The Row had the first chance on 12 minutes from a free kick outside the penalty area. Mitch Parker saw his effort go just over the crossbar.
Marine were unlucky not to take the lead a minute later when Conor McDonagh slipped the Row offside trap and his parting shot crashed off the post.
On 20 minutes Hartley could have gone ahead when a left wing cross from Leo Hamblin led to a scramble in the visitors area.
Sam Argent had a shot blocked and Josh Webb brought out a good save from Martin Horsell in the Marine goal before the visitors just managed to clear.
Two minutes later Marine put together a good move down the right. Ryan Campbell provided Henry Spalding an opening but the winger’s shot was saved. A corner by Josh Webb on 24 minutes provided a chance for Matt Drage whose effort went wide. Both sides probed until the break with Hartley having a slight edge.
However neither side was able to provide a meaningful shot on target. The main Row threat in the first half was the powerful and determined running of Eshun.
Marine had a great chance to take the lead on 47 minutes when Spalding and McDonagh combined to set up Bradley Hooper who shot over when well placed.
The Row took the lead on 57 minutes with a good goal from Eshun who got free on the left and combined well with Reece Wylie, coming in from the wing, whose shot took a slight deflection and beat Martin Horsell in the Marine goal.
Marine pressed strongly for an equaliser and a right wing cross from Michael Hopkins was headed just wide by Ryan Campbell on 68 minutes. The Row responded and three minutes later some loose play in the Swindon SuperMarine defence gave Webb a chance. The Hartley midfielder shot too close to Horsell who saved easily.
The visitors continued to press and on 72 minutes a fierce drive from 25 yards by substitute George Dowling saw Williams forced to parry the ball outwards. Five minutes later McDonagh got on to the end of a decent move and saw his parting shot bravely blocked by Parcel Kpohomouh.
Towards the end there was a coming together of players following a late challenge by Argent which saw the Row skipper booked. Hartley held on for three points which edges them up towards mid-table.