Hartley Wintney defeated by in-form Harrow Borough

Isthmian League South Central Division

Saturday, April 18

Harrow Borough continued with their good late-season form by claiming maximum points at inconsistent Hartley Wintney.

The Boro got off to a blistering start and were two goals to the good after just six minutes.

In the second minute, Lucas Miller made good progress down the left and crossed to Will Bailey, who shot home (0-1).

Action from Hartley Wintney v Harrow Borough. (Image: Josie Shipman)

From their second attack of the match, Harrow added a second goal.

Good interplay along the edge of the Row penalty box saw the ball moved to Lucas Miller, who scored with a fine shot into the roof of the net (0-2).

Hartley responded and came close on seven minutes when a corner from Sam De St. Croix on the left finished with Lewis Hillary and the young midfielder was unlucky to see his effort from the edge of the penalty area go just over.

Five minutes later, Harrow had a chance when Miller fed in Bailey, and Nick Jupp in the Row goal did well to smother the effort wide of goal.

On 17 minutes, Hartley were awarded a free kick some 25 yards out.

George Wallace stepped up and his well-struck shot skimmed the crossbar.

After the all-action opening period, play continued mostly around the midfield area with no side gaining an ascendancy.

Half time: Hartley Wintney 0 Harrow Borough 2

Hartley started the second half strongly and pulled a goal back on 49 minutes.

A corner on the left from De St. Croix was not fully cleared and when returned Aaron Burchett was baulked as he was running onto the ball.

Conor Lynch stepped up and converted the resulting penalty kick (1-2).

This was the Row striker's seventh goal in the last four matches.

The Boro had a short spell of pressure and on 55 minutes a well-struck shot from Luke Brophy was held by a well-positioned Jupp.

On the hour mark, Hartley came close when Aaron Burchett crossed from the left and De St. Croix saw his flicked effort go just over the crossbar.

Nine minutes later, an audacious lob from Miller on the left saw Jupp scrambling backwards and he did well to claw the ball out from the goal line.

Action from Hartley Wintney v Harrow Borough. (Image: Josie Shipman)

With Hartley seemingly running out of ideas, it was the visitors who started creating the better chances.

A shot from Brophy saw Jupp save on 70 minutes.

Hartley pressed but were unable to break down the Boro defence and in the final stages it was Harrow who gained the initiative.

On 88 minutes, a mix-up by the Row in midfield led to Yoan Edoukou racing in on the Row goal.

Jupp came out and made a good save.

As play continued, Miller had a clear chance but was denied when Nick Medcraft cleared off the Row line.

Harrow held on comfortably to claim the points.

For Hartley, best were Aaron Burchett in defence plus Lewis Hillary and Sam De St. Croix in midfield.

All the Row players had a decent game but unfortunately they did not knit together as an effective team unit.

This probably is the result of being unable to field a settled team.

Next Saturday the Row travel to Hayes and Yeading for the final match of the season.

This will be the final game for Sam De St. Croix who is retiring from playing football.

The midfielder has made a very good impression for Hartley Wintney in the time he has been at the club.

Full time: Hartley Wintney 1 Harrow Borough 2

Report by David Graham