Hartley do it the hard way (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Hartley do it the hard way

1:00pm Friday 13th January 2012 in Football By Graham Merry

HARTLEY Wintney kept their promotion hopes on track as they returned to winning ways with a 2-1 success against visiting Feltham in Combined Counties League division one.

However, they won the game the hard way, coming back from being at goal down at the break.

After a good half-time team talk, striker Ryan Stephens equalised with a shot from just outside the box. The home side then piled on the pressure, with Jack Coventry coming closest to giving them the lead.

Just when it looked like they would have to settle for a draw, Steve Noakes was brought down in the penalty area allowing captain Martin Williams to score the winner from the spot with three minutes left.

Hartley boss Roach said: “It was disappointing to give away a sloppy goal, but in the second half we bombarded them and we deserved the three points.”

This Saturday, Hartley travel to bottom side Sheerwater (kick-off 2pm), who have lost nine of their last 10 games, but manager Roach is looking for his side to do a professional job.

Roach said: “If we want to get out of this league, then these are games we have to win and that is no disrespect to Sheerwater. We have to go there and get three points and it would also be nice to knock a few goals in, but first and formost we must win against a team who are sure to be up for it.”