HARTLEY Wintney visited Bedfont and Feltham’s Orchard Ground for the second time in three weeks.

This time to face ground sharing tenants CB Hounslow United and the Combined Counties League Premier Division leaders won 2-0.

The first chance of the match came in the fourth minute when a cross from Hartley’s Dean Stow found Sam Argent.

The striker managed a touch but his parting shot went past the post.

Hounslow were proving to be a well organised and determined side and on 18 minutes Jordan Ireland went on a strong run from midfield.

His shot was blocked and Rashid Obaddi put the rebound wide.

Two minutes later, the Row took the lead. A through ball from Steve Laidler found Steven Duff on the right side of the penalty box where he was hauled down by a defender.

Argent took the resulting penalty and scored with a low shot into the corner.

Three minutes later, Laidler went down with a nasty looking injury.

After several minutes he was helped from the field and replaced by Jack French.

On the half hour, the Hounslow defence had difficulty clearing a Stow corner. The ball came to Ross Cook on the edge of the penalty area and his shot hit the post.

As the game approached half time Cook fashioned a chance for himself on the edge of area, but it went wide.

Five minutes after the interval, Declan Shuttleworth sent a long pass forward which was picked up by Cook and his shot brought out a good save from Alex Wines in the Hounslow goal.

However, the Row quickly regained possession and Jack French threaded a pass into the path of Argent.

His first effort brought a good parry from Wines, but the striker followed up and put away the rebound.

Hounslow responded well and forced Hartley to defend several corner and free kick situations.

On 63 minutes, Cook was forced to leave the field with a twisted ankle and was replaced by Luke Perkins.

Soon after, a fluent move from Hounslow saw Thomas Kanek set up Adrew Juett, but his shot was well saved by Paul Strudley.

The home side continued to have the edge and only some timely interceptions and blocks by the Row defence maintained the lead.

Hartley responded and a Stow pass found Perkins on the edge of the penalty box.

The substitute fired over the crossbar.

Then on 80 minutes, an Ian Jones pass found Duff on the left side of the penalty box and the winger’s shot went across the face of the goal.

Hartley were not at their best in this match but the visit to the Orchard proved fruitful with three points in the basket and results elsewhere saw them extend their lead at the top to 25 points.

After the match joint Hartley manager Anthony Millerick said: “Some of our play lacked cohesion today; possibly not helped by the injuries to Steve Laidler and Ross Cook.

“However we are happy to take the points at this stage of the season against a decent side where we could have come unstuck.

He added: “The forwards have rightly taken much of the plaudits this season but I felt our defence played well today with Dec Shuttleworth and Shane Hollomby outstanding.

“We are hopeful that the injuries to Steve Laidler and Ross Cook will not keep them out too long”

Hartley’s next game is on Saturday when they travel to North Greenford United.