HARTLEY Wintney’s run of poor recent form continued as they went down to two unopposed second-half goals to Thatcham Town.

Thatcham had the first chance on six minutes following an error by Row keeper Louis Evans.  The Hartley keeper was slow to clear and got caught in possession by Jordi Ebanda on the left of the penalty area. The Kingfishers striker crossed to Harvey Harry who saw his shot well saved by Evans who had recovered his position.

Neither side was able to assert themselves on the match until the 19th minute when Jay Welch for Thatcham had a shot which brought out a decent save from Evans. 

The Row offered little except for the lively Adam Payce on the right wing.

Hartley started the second period well. However, in the 49th minute, they conceded a calamitous goal.  A long ball fell between goalkeeper Evans and defenders with both parties indecisive. Evans was eventually left stranded 30 yards from goal as Kingfishers Jordi Ebanda rounded him and shot into the empty goal. (1-0)

Ten minutes later with the home side on top Ebanda coming in front the left saw his parting shot go just wide. On 64 minutes Thatcham added a second. Harry made good progress down the left and his low cross was fired into the net by Ebanda. (2-0)

Ebanda almost completed his hat trick on 70 minutes after being set up by Callum Willmouth but his effort went just wide of goal. Hartley had a let-off on 77 minutes when a free kick from Kyle Daniel-Spray crashed off the underside of the crossbar.

The introduction of substitutes Jenson Mansel and Issac Ebejer on 80 minutes saw a marked improvement in the Row fortunes and they finished the match well. On 82 minutes a scramble in the Kingfishers goalmouth saw a fierce drive from George Winser blocked.

Then a minute later a corner from Issac Ebenjer was headed just over the bar by Mo Jallow.  The Row continued to press and a corner from Winser saw Ellis Orsborn’s close range effort hit the crossbar.

Hartley had one final chance of a consolation goal when a free kick from Winser found Liam Gavin who saw his close-range effort saved by Callum Smart in the Kingfishers goal.