IN A match played in sweltering heat Hartley Wintney recorded their first win of the season against the Metropolitan Police at Imber Court. 
A minute total silence was observed by the crowd for PC Andrew Harper who lost his life in the line of duty two weeks ago. 
The Blues had the first effort on three minutes when Jack Mazzone spotted Row goalkeeper Luke Williams off his line and his lob from the half way line dropped just over the crossbar. 
Ten minutes later the home side recorded another effort when Bilal Sayoud coming in from the right saw his effort blocked at the near post by Williams. 
The Met held a slight edge and on 29 minutes a cross from Sean McCormack found Sayoud who blazed over from a bad angle. 
A minute later, the Row recorded their first meaningful effort when Josh Webb set up Mikel Platt who saw his effort bring a comfortable save from Blues goalkeeper Charlie Burns. 
On 32 minutes, Hartley had a good chance when an excellent defence splitting pass from Louie Paget gave Mitchell Parker a chance. The Row striker shot wide. 
A water break followed and Mitchell Parker, possibly feeling the effects of the intense heat, left the field of play. Dean Rule came on and was to make a huge difference to the contest. 
On resumption Hartley built up a good attack on 35 minutes which ended with a Louie Paget shot being saved. 
Play switched to the other end and a cross from Sayoud found the head of Jack Mazzone who saw his powerful header bring out an excellent stop from Williams. 
Louie Paget made a foraging run down the right on 42 minutes. 
His cross field pass went via Platt to French who set up Josh Webb who fired over the top. 
The intelligent running of Dean Rule was giving the Row joy and on the stroke of half time he was a whisker away from connecting with a cross from Nathan Smart.
Hartley improved after the interval and held the edge for the remainder of the match. 
On 59 minutes, Dean Rule who was creating many problems for the home side was hauled down just outside the penalty area following a pass from Webb. 
The resulting free-kick was blocked. Three minutes later a Ty Smith corner found Alex Albert who directed his header across goal which was narrowly missed by the inrushing Rule. 
The Blues put together a good move on 65 minutes and Oliver Knight found space down the left. 
His cross found Jack Mazzone who saw his effort from 10 yards blocked by Williams. 
Hartley resumed with the advantage in play and got their reward with a goal of some quality on 73 minutes. 
A move down the left saw a pass inside to Smith who was felled by a strong challenge. 
Instead of awarding the free kick referee Michael Smith played advantage as the ball went to Rule. 
The young striker worked a clever one two with Platt and raced on to score with a well placed shot into the corner of the net.
The Met responded well and a cross from Mazzone found the head of Murdoch who saw his effort saved by Williams. 
From the resulting corner the ball stayed in the Row area for a short period before a Met header went wide. 
Dean Rule continued to pose problems for the home side and linked up well with fellow youngsters Platt and substitute Sal Abubakar. 
Into the final minutes and a free kick on the left of the area from Smith saw Burns push the ball around the post. 
The Met pressed and Mazzone had the ball in the net. However a free kick for pushing had already been awarded. 
The final action of the match saw a crisp Row move which involved Abubakar and Webb who created space for Paget. The full back saw his effort just miss the target. 
Manager Anthony Millerick said: "I felt we were too tentative and nervous in the first half. This was not due to caution following our heavy defeats by the Met last season. We just did not execute our game plan properly. 
"I thought Dean Rule showed his full potential today and took his goal well with a very composed finish."
Bank Holiday Monday sees Hartley in action against when Gosport Borough are the visitors and include former top Row favourite Sam Argent.