Hartley Wintney v Chesham United, Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South. Tuesday 31st January 2023
Report by David Graham

Chesham United claimed the points in their promotion push, against luckless Hartley Wintney who are still looking for their first points in the New Year. However, the end result bore little resemblance to the flow of the game until the final quarter of an hour, when the Row were down to 10 men.

Hartley almost went ahead in the first minute when a long ball from Matt Drage found Zidan Akers in the clear and the winger's fierce shot was tipped over the crossbar by Sam Beasant in the Generals' goal.

On 5 minutes, Bradley Clayton fashioned a chance and his shot saw Row keeper, Marcin Brzozowski, parry the ball away.

The Generals continued to press, and a cross from Clayton found Steve Brown, who saw his header tipped over by Brzozowski.

Hartley responded and had a good spell which ended with them taking the lead on 18 minutes. A Josh Webb free-kick on the left found Akers, who saw his shot blocked. The ball eventually rebounded to JOE MORRISON who fired home from close range for his first goal for the club in only his second game. (1-0)

The lead was to last just five minutes, when Chesham equalized with a very controversial goal. Play went down the Hartley right and went out of play for what looked clearly like a Hartley throw-in. However, the referee awarded the throw the other way. Omar Rowe picked the ball up, some distance forward from where the ball went out, and threw straight to KARL OLIYIDE. Totally in the clear, with the Hartley defence unable to set itself, he was able to shoot past Brzozowski for the equalizer. Despite protests from the Row players, the goal was allowed to stand. (1-1)

Two minutes later, Oliyide was put through on goal and Brzozowski came out and saved well.
HALF TIME: HARTLEY WINTNEY 1 CHESHAM UNITED 1

Hartley started the second period well. Shamar Moore and Johnny Efedje combined well, with the parting shot from the latter being saved by Beasant.

On 47 minutes, Ricardo German burst through the middle for the Generals and Brzozowski brought off an outstanding save, diverting the ball around the post. From the resulting corner, Chesham went ahead. The delivery from Frankie Sutherland found OMAR ROWE, who was able to divert the ball into the net. (1-2)

Ricardo German had a chance for Chesham on 55 minutes when played in through the middle. Brzozowski came to Hartley's rescue with a good save.

The visitors appeared to switch to game management mode and play became very fragmented, with few chances at either end.

The match took a decisive turn in Chesham's favour on 73 minutes. Johnny Efedje, who had been influential on the Row's right wing, picked up a second yellow card. The subsequent red card meant his sending off and the Row reduced to ten men.

In the remaining minutes the Generals ran away with the match, scoring three unopposed goals. On 78 minutes, Clayton was edged off the ball in the penalty area and a spot kick awarded. Former Hartley player, JORDAN EDWARDS, took the kick and made the game safe for the visitors with a well struck shot. (1-3)

Four minutes later, a cross from Rowe found Clayton, who shot wide. However, BRADLEY CLAYTON was to get on the scoresheet on 84 minutes. Coming in from the right, he curled a delightful lob over Brzozowski and into the net. (1-4)

There was still time for the Generals to add a fifth goal on 88 minutes. Clayton set-up JEANMAL PROSPER, who finished well. (1-5)

For Hartley, they probably feel it was rough justice, with several decisions not going their way. Definite positives can be taken from a good first-half performance and one which they can build on. However, some homework is required in defending set pieces, with a good proportion of conceded goals in recent times coming via this route. [D Graham]

HARTLEY WINTNEY: Marcin Brzozowski, Reese Jones, Louie Paget, Josh Webb (c), Matt Drage, Joe Morrison, Zidan Akers, Tom Leggett, Shamar Moore, Anis Nuur, Johnny Efedje.
Subs: Toby Nevile (on for Louie Paget), Harry Cooksley, George Winser (on for Tom Leggett), Shane Hollamby,
Lewis Hoy (g/k)

CHESHAM UNITED: Sam Beasant, Frankie Sutherland, Lewis Rolfe, Eoin Casey, Steve Brown, Jordan Gibbons, Bradley Clayton, T'Shane Gallimore, Ricardo German, Omar Rowe, Karl Oliyide.
Subs: Jeanmal Prosper (on), Liam Ferdinand, Jordan Edwards (on), Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick (on), Zak Joseph.

Attendance: 207
Entertainment 4/5
Hartley Man of the Match: JOSH WEBB

David spoke with the Hartley Wintney manager, Rowan Vine, after the game.

"I felt we were the better team in the first half. The Chesham first goal certainly had a few question marks against it."

Vine continued, " We need to defend set-pieces better; the second goal was disappointing. But I felt the result massively flattered Chesham. For the most part there was not much to choose between the sides. Perhaps what we need is a little bit of luck. We certainly had little of it this evening."