Millerick bemoans the Row’s lack of fight
ANTHONY MILLERICK admits Hartley Wintney were blown away on Saturday both by Chesham United and the weather.
United claimed maximum points against the Row thanks to a hat-trick from Bradley Clayton as they won the Southern League Premier South clash 4-2.
“I thought we were well beaten,” boss Millerick said. “The wind made life difficult. We did OK in the first half but I thought we could have done better against the wind.
“My feeling was our overall performance in the second period was poor. It was disappointing that we possibly could have shown a bit more fight.”
Starting with a strong wind in their favour, Hartley almost scored in the first minute when Sam Argent found Mitch Parker behind the Generals defence. Parker could not quite adjust properly and his lob drifted wide. However the same pair were to combine on six minutes and give the Row the lead.
A free-kick on the right from
Parker was flicked on and into the net by Argent.
Hartley almost doubled their lead on 16 minutes. A corner on the left from Josh Webb found the head of Jacques Kpohomouh who was unlucky to see his effort hit the crossbar. Then a long run from Kingsley Eshun ended when his parting shot went just past the post.
The hosts were making good progress against the wind and on 29 minutes should have equalised. T’Sharne Gallimore’s cross found Kyllan Koussi, who somehow headed wide from six yards.
Chesham finally pulled level on 43 minutes. A well worked move gave Clayton a shooting opportunity from the edge of the penalty area and he curled his shot around Sam Freeman.
The Generals quickly made good use of the wind advantage after the break and the Hartley goal was soon under pressure.
A good move down the right on 47 minutes gave Karl Ollyide a chance and his shot was deflected wide.
The Row had a scare on 56 minutes when a back pass was intercepted by Ollyide but Freeman made an excellent save diving at the winger’s feet. The pressure finally told two minutes later though when Ollyide got free in the Row area and Freeman pulled him down. Referee Jack Bloxham immediately pointed to the penalty spot and Clayton sent Freeman the wrong way to score.
Hartley responded and equalised four minutes later. A long free-kick saw Row substitute Harry Taylor head down. There was an almighty scramble on the goal line and the ball finished up in the net seemingly off a Chesham player.
United continued to apply virtually all the pressure and on 72 minutes a free-kick from Rolfe led to a scramble in the Row area which they just managed to keep out.
But with 10 minutes remaining, Zak Joseph found space and he curled an accurate shot into the top corner leaving Freeman no chance.
The Generals added a fourth in added time when Deese Kasinga was hauled down and a second penalty was awarded. Clayton again stepped up to complete his hat-trick.