HARTLEY Wintney concluded their league season in style with a fine 3-1 win over visiting Dorchester Town.

This enabled them to finish in a very creditable eighth place in their first season in the Southern League Premier South which meant they were also the top Hampshire side.

The local football fraternity will be relieved to have Southern Premier League football available again next season.

Dorchester had wind advantage in the first half but it was the Row who created and missed several chances.

The Row forced three early corners and on four minutes should have went ahead. A free kick from Hartley man of the match Matt Drage found the head of Dan Stewart whose header across goal saw Mitchell Parker just fail to connect in front of an open goal.

On 14 minutes a long ball from Jack Ball found Marley Ridge free.

The midfielder’s shot across goal hit the post. Four minutes later a long pass from Matt Drage found Dan Stewart free behind the Magpies defence.

However the striker was unable to get control of the ball which was collected by the alert Dorchester goalkeeper Kingsley Latham.

The visitors struggled making use of the wind and a number of forward passes were over hit. Their main threat came from some intelligent play by Antonio Diaz.

Hartley continued to dominate the match and on 25 minutes a Parker cross saw Ridge just fail to get his header on target.

On 33 minutes a Mitchell Parker corner saw a Nathan Smart shot blocked and Jack French’s follow up shot brought out a good save from Magpies keeper Kingsley Latham, Dorchester opened the scoring on 47 minutes after a fine move.

Defending a set piece Harry Kite sent a measured pass to the impressive Antonio Diaz on the right. Diaz made good progress and set up Tom Blair. The winger’s shot was parried by Row keeper Paul Strudley into the path of Ben Seymour who scored from ten yards.

Hartley responded well and drew level on 62 minutes. Steven Duff came on as substitute and his first contribution was to head home unchallenged an accurate free kick from the right delivered by Nathan Smart.

The Row remained on top and edged ahead on 75 minutes. A free kick from Josh Webb on the left was only partially cleared by the Magpies defence to Matt Drage who volleyed home from the edge of the box.

Hartley should have went further ahead soon after when Duff set up Jack Ball who saw his close range effort parried by Latham.

The Magpies pressed towards the end but it was the home side who scored the decisive goal.

On 89 minutes Sal Abubakkar made good progress down the left before being hauled down in the penalty box. Jack Ball stepped up and scored from the resultant penalty.

At the final whistle the Row left the field to much applause after a truly memorable season.

The players assembled for the Player of the Season Award which was won by Jack Ball.