HARTLEY Wintney welcomed the FA Vase holders Chertsey Town for their last home friendly of the season.

In the starting line up for the Curfews was Jake Baxter who helped the Row to a play-off success in the 2017/18 season.

It was Baxter who had the first chance after just one minute when a long ball from defence deceived the Hartley back row.

Baxter latched onto the ball but his effort went over.

On three minutes it was take two when another long ball deceived the Row defence and left Bryan Taylor in the clear. The winger ran on and scored with a well placed shot.

Hartley responded well and subjected the Curfews defence to considerable pressure. On 11 minutes a cross from Steven Duff found Mitch Parker who was unlucky to see his effort blocked. Three minutes later, a well worked move released Nathan Smart down the right and a pass inside to Angel Zapata-Montez saw the winger fire wide.

Montez had another chance on 24 minutes with the Row dominating but the effort went wide.

A minute later a Duff corner saw a scramble in front of the Curdews goal which ended with Dean Rule shooting across the face of the goal from a tight angle.

Another Duff corner on 27 minutes found the head of Matt Drage who headed wide.

The Row continued to press and on 39 minutes Parker saw and effort well stopped by Chertsey goalkeeper Nicky Jupp.

The last chance of the half went to the visitors. Sam Freeman collected a loose ball and picked it up. It was deemed a back pass. Fortunately the angle was tight for the shot which was blazed wide.

If the first half was entertaining and plenty of action the second was more subdued.

The Curfews well organised defence kept the Row chances to a minimum.

On 50 minutes Sam Murphy for Chertsey had an effort which brought of a good save from Freemen.

The Row held a slight edge and on 56 minutes Steven Duff set up Jack French who saw his effort go just wide.

Chances all but dried up as defences started to dominate. However on 72 minutes Kevin MacLaren crossed and Taylor headed wide for the Curfews.

Six minutes later and Tom Bird and Steven Duff linked up with the latter shooting just over.

The visitors held on for a narrow win and look set for a decent season.

For Hartley many positives in the first half with some good enterprising football displayed. The second period saw them more subdued.

On Saturday, the Row travel to Bedfont for the last pre-season fixture.