Hartley Wintney’s run of six matches without defeat came to an abrupt end after losing at home against a hardworking Binfield team, writes David Graham.
After a quiet opening, it was the Moles who went in front on 12 minutes.
A corner on the right from former Hartley player Rahzir Smith-Jones was not properly cleared by the Hartley defence and Reechan Esprit took full advantage, shooting home through a crowd of players and finding the bottom corner of the net (0-1).
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Play became very scrappy with very little in the way of incident and quality.
Binfield came close on 35 minutes when a cross from the left had Row keeper struggling and Smith-Jones was on hand to direct an effort towards goal which was kept out by crossbar and Strudley.
Half time: Hartley Wintney 0 Binfield 1
Hartley started the second period on the front foot and on 47 minutes a cross from George Wallace found Conor Lynch who was unlucky not to direct his header on target.
Play again became very scrappy with much of the play in the midfield.
On 73 minutes the Row exerted a period of pressure which resulted in a massive scramble in front of the Moles' goal. However, somehow the visitors survived.
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Towards the end, there was another almighty scramble on the Binfield goal line with the Hartley players claiming the ball had crossed the line.
However, their appeals were waved away by the referee.
In the last minute of added time, Hartley threw all outfield players up for a corner.
The ball was cleared and former Row and much-travelled forward Mitch Parker was on his way towards the Hartley goal.
Once a support forward had arrived, Parker fed him and the player went down under a challenge and a penalty was awarded. Esprit duly converted the spot kick (0-2).
It was a match which was low in quality. Mitch Parker for Binfield probably produced most of what quality there was.
For Hartley, they never found their form throughout and gave probably their worst performance of the season to date.
They will certainly be looking for a vast improvement at Saturday's game at Badshot Lea.
Full time: Hartley Wintney 0 Binfield 2
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