HARTLEY Wintney strengthened their position at the top of the Combined Counties League Premier Division beating Bedfont Sports 4-1 despite playing the last 25 minutes with 10 men.

It was a historic day for the Bedfont Sports Recreation Ground being the last game to be played on grass with a 3G pitch set to be installed, so the the pitch was in very poor condition.

The Row started strongly and after two minutes Bedfont’s young debutant goalie Harvey Cheadle was called into action.

A free-kick on the left saw a powerful shot from Dean Stow which Cheadle did well to parry.

The Hartley players reacted quickest and in the melee that followed Liam Eagle, George Hallahan and Steve Noakes all saw efforts blocked on the line.

On seven minutes Cheadle was again called into action when a strong shot from Louie Paget took a deflection and the young goalkeeper did well to push the ball over the bar.

A minute later Eagle set up Adam New who shot over and soon after the home side were almost gifted the lead, when Eagle over hit a back pass which saw Jake Maddock scramble back to keep the ball out.

Hartley resumed on the attack and a Steve Laidler pass sent Hallahan through on a one on one with Cheadle which the Bedfont stopper did well to save. Continuous pressure was eventually rewarded for the Row on 21 minutes. Jack French had a good run across the 18 yard line before setting up Dean Stow who fired home the opener.

Four minutes later it was almost two when a good cross from New was headed against the post by Sam Argent.

On 39 minutes, Hallahan fashioned a chance for himself, but his effort brought a good save from Cheadle.

Completely against the run of play Bedfont equalised with a fine goal.

A good move was set up down the right and James Greenwood went on an overlapping run.

His low cross found Simo Mbankwi who fired into the roof of the net from close range.

On the stroke of half time, Hallahan got on the end of a long cross and his header brought a good save from Cheadle who tipped the ball over.

Just two minutes after the break, the Row regained the lead. Hallahan forced Cheadle to push the ball round for a corner.

The flag kick from Stow found the head of Steve Noakes who headed home unchallenged.

On 50 minutes good interplay between Jack French and Hallahan saw the former shoot just past from 18 yards.

Bedfont responded on 62 minutes when Mbankwi went on a long run with the ball and finished with his parting shot going into the side netting.

After 65 minutes the Row were reduced to 10 men when Stow received his second yellow card following a strong challenge in midfield.

Noakes expressed his disappointment at the decision to Mr Singh the referee and received a yellow card.

Three minutes later, the Row almost increased the lead. A free-kick from Laidler found the head of Noakes who brought out a good save from Cheadle.

Hartley made the points safe with a third goal on 69 minutes.

The persistent Hallahan got reward for his efforts when his strike from 25 yards found the net off Cheadle’s right post.

On 75 minutes, Hartley almost increased their lead when Argent outjumped Cheadle and saw his header blocked on the line.

Hallahan following up was unlucky not to force the ball home.

Three minutes later, Laidler went on a long run from his own half and fed Argent who was unlucky to see his shot go just over.

However, Hartley added another goal before the end. With Bedfont attacking, a long ball from defence, found substitute Dec Shuttleworth. The Row striker out muscled the Sports defender before running on and firing past the outrushing Cheadle.

The win moves Hartley 18 points clear at the top of the league.

Joint manager Daniel Brownlie said: "We showed moments of real class yesterday but what was more pleasing was the character we demonstrated after being reduced to 10 men. The boys came out fighting and were awarded for the effort.

He added: "The win was made better by (George) Hallahan and (Dec) Shuttleworth both getting their first goals for the club.

"Dec has been plagued with various injuries recently, he's a really popular lad, honest, hardworking and a real team player so we were pleased he got his goal.

"George's goal has been coming for some time, he himself has created an obscene amount of chances over the course of the last three games but couldn't find the back of the net.

"There was no panic from our side, we know the quality of the boy but there was certainly an element of relief displayed in his celebration. We're pleased for him.

Looking ahead to the next two games which will see Hartley travel to Spelthorne Sports in the league on Saturday, before a mouth watering Hampshire Senior Cup quarter-final tie at home to Southern League side AFC Totton on Tuesday evening.

Brownlie said: "The boys are doing the right things and doing them well at the moment, they never give in.

"Even in the dying moments of games there is comfort of knowledge that we'll create a chance and I think we put fear in the opposition because they know that too.

"It's a group who want to continue improving and not drop to secondary standards it's an adoption of the idea that we never lose, we may just occasionally run out of time."