HARTLEY Wintney edged ever closer to the Combined Counties League Premier Division title, as they won at North Greenford United 1-0.

This was thanks in no small way to the efforts of two of their youngsters Adam New and Jake Maddock.

A very dull day produced strangely for the Row, a very dull match as neither goalkeeper had a shot to save for the first half hour. The main threat from the home side was quick overlapping runs from full back Josh Lewis-Evans and on 33 minutes he outpaced the Hartley defence following a pass from Carl Bower. His low cross saw Maddock very quickly off his line to thwart the effort from inrushing Anthony O’Conner.

Hartley responded and were awarded a free-kick on the right side of the penalty box after a bad foul on Dean Stow.

Steven Duff drove the ball across at pace and New’s powerful header from 10 yards gave the Row the lead.

The playing conditions were made more difficult with the arrival of driving rain and it was the home side who adapted to the situation better.

Greenford probed at the Hartley defence but were unable to create a worthwhile chance.

On 78 minutes the home side were awarded a free-kick, just outside the penalty box. The free-kick eluded the Hartley wall and Maddock did well to stop it and then hold on to the ball with three Greenford players waiting for the spill.

Greenford continued to press and two minutes later, Daniel Vincent created a chance for himself, but his effort found Maddock well positioned. Hartley responded as Sam Argent forced a good save out of Greenford goalie James Harry.

Greenford finished the game very strongly and deep into stoppage time their sub Alfie Cain and Jamal Vellinor combined well on the edge of the box before a fierce shot from the former took a bad deflection.

It looked to be a certain goal, but Maddock changed direction and somehow managed to get a hand on the strike- which has to be a contender for save of the season.

The ball then crashed off the inside of the post and the grateful Row defence cleared.

The victory means they now need just four more wins to retain their league title.

After the game, Hartley’s joint manager Anthony Millerick said: “Under the circumstances this was three good points. Jake (Maddock) made two great saves especially the one in the last minute. The conditions were very poor today which made control difficult for both sets of players.”

Next up for the Row is a home game against Windsor on Saturday.