HARTLEY Wintney’s winning start to the season came to an end after a 3-0 defeat at Marlow’s Alfred Davies Memorial ground, but the Row are still third in the Southern League Division One East table.

The home side dominated most of the match and ran out deserved winners and Marlow started well and produced the first shot on four minutes when an Issac Osei-Tutu effort from the edge of the box found Paul Strudley well positioned to save.

The home side continued to press and a free-kick on the right wing by Charlie Samuel found Calum Gallimore who produced a good stop again from Strudley.

However the pressure finally told on 12 minutes following another free-kick on the right side of the penalty box. The Row were unable to get the ball clear and after two shots from the edge of the box were blocked the ball finally came to Allen Bosman.

The winger took aim and curled a delightful shot into the top corner of the net.

Marlow continued to press and on 17 minutes a corner from Bosman found Gallimore who saw his effort well saved by Strudley.

Hartley came into the game, but were caught out by a breakaway on 30 minutes which resulted in a second Marlow goal.

A long clearance found Osei-Tutu on the left and the winger used his pace to good effect.

After he cut in to the penalty area he was hauled down by Adam New and referee Matthew Russell pointed to the spot.

Chris Ovenden took the penalty and sent Strudley the wrong way.

On 37 minutes, the Row finally recorded their first real effort when Sam Argent found space after good work by Luke Perkins. However the striker’s effort went over the bar.

The home side responded and an excellent effort from Bosman, similar to his goal, brought an outstanding save from Strudley.

It seemed that Hartley had received a pep talk from their managers as they started the second half with more purpose.

Early on, Steve Noakes and Ben Greenwood came on as substitutes. This enabled Adam New to be pushed up front in an effort to get into the game.

The Row had a greater share of the match but were unable to muster a worthwhile effort towards Marlow goalkeeper Simon Grant.

The visitors frustration saw a come together between players on 67 minutes. The grievance was blatant time wasting by goalkeeper Grant on several occasions which went unpunished by referee Russell.

Once the dust had settled it was the home side who produced the next effort on 68 minutes.

Bossman sent in good cross from the right and Osei-Tutu looked certain to score from point blank range when from nowhere Strudley prevented the ball crossing the line.

Hartley pressed and on 76 minutes Liam Eagle created space for Aaron Parfitt, but the sub’s effort drifted over the bar.

Parfitt was in action again five minutes later, when his cross from the left wing found New who saw his shot go wide of the post.

The Row’s miserable day was completed by conceding a soft goal on 86 minutes.

Simon Grant took a long goal kick. The Hartley back four left the ball seemingly unaware that Marlow substitute and former Basingstoke Town man Jordace Holder-Spooner was behind them. Strudley came dashing out in a race with Holder-Spooner which he lost and the Marlow player was able to shoot into an empty net.

There was just one more effort of note in added time when Holder-Spooner crossed from the left and found Jay Welch who fired past when well placed.

A disappointed joint manager Anthony Millerick said: "Marlow were worthy winners. We could and should have done better against their direct play.

"We are still making adjustments to this level and will continue to learn. All in all we were well and truly off form and it is difficult finding many positives."

He added: "However if anyone had offered us four wins in our first five matches at the beginning of the season we would gladly have taken it."

Hartley this weekend are in FA Cup action as they travel to the Camrose to take on Basingstoke Town in a first round qualifying tie.