Basingstoke ObserverHAYES and Yeading brought good support to Hartley Wintney on Saturday 23 April and witnessed an exciting match.
Hartley got off to the perfect start. Following a visitors corner the ball came to Row midfielder Josh Webb who sent a measured long pass to Lucias Vine who was free on the left. The young striker made progress before cutting in and his shot found the corner of the net (1-0).
The Row pressed strongly and on 13 minutes a long throw from Kyan Nicholas resulted in a scramble in front of the H and Y goal which was eventually cleared. A minute later a corner from Josh Webb found Sam Argent and his header crashed off the crossbar.
On 19 minutes Webb and Nicholas combined well and the latter’s parting shot went just wide. Three minutes later the Row had a good chance when Vine exploited loose play in the visitors defence and his cross found Adam Allen who shot over when well placed.
H and Y came into the game and on 30 minutes Amos Nasha got behind the Hartley defence before being squeezed out. The visitors’ first chance arrived on 39 minutes. A corner on the left from Nasha found Keano Robinson whose header was just wide.
Hartley extended their lead on 43 minutes with an excellent strike. Vine and Webb combined to set up Kyan Nicholas whose fierce shot from 20 yards found the net (2-0).
HALF TIME: HARTLEY WINTNEY 2 HAYES AND YEADING 0
In the second half United were quick to try and reduce the deficit. Moses Emmanuel got free on the right on 46 minutes and from his cross saw Francis Amarty’s shot crashed against the post off Matt.Drage. Continuous pressure from the visitors brought reward when they pulled a goal back on 55 minutes. Amartey made good progress down the left and his cross was fired home from close range by Moses Emmanuel (2-1).
Hartley responded and Argent set up Nicholas who shot just wide on 57 minutes. The pace and skill of the Hayes team created a chance for Emmanuel through the middle and Luke Williams in the Row goal pulled off a good save. Shortly after Kadell Daniel and Hassan Jalloh both had efforts comfortably saved by Williams. United remained on top and on 67 minutes were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Row penalty area. Kadell Daniel took the kick and his low shot went through the Hartley wall and found the corner of the net (2-2).
Play evened up and both sides had promising situations. Hartley put together a good move on 80 minutes when Allen set up Webb whose fierce shot was pushed over the crossbar by Ravan Constable in the H and Y goal. Play moved from end to end as both sides strove for the winner.
However the nearest to a winning goal came from a free kick from Hartley’s Matt Drage from 30 yards which crashed off the crossbar on 86 minutes. Six minutes of added time was played and in the last of these a free kick was awarded on the Hartley penalty box line. The Row organised the wall. Daniel took the kick and by passed the wall with a pass to the free Emmanuel who was unable to control and the ball rolled harmlessly for a goal kick.
FULL TIME: HARTLEY WINTNEY 2 HAYES AND YEADING UNITED 2
Anthony Millerick commented: “We were excellent in the first half. H and Y are a good side and we knew they would be back in the second period. We were unlucky to hit the bar twice. Disappointing not to get the 3 points but were competitive throughout. It was a good team performance with all players performing well. It was pleasing that we responded well when Hayes and Yeading equalised, We were competitive until the end. On this performance the team can hold their heads up high. They showed a lot of character.”
He went on to reflect on the season as a whole as this was Anthony’s last league game as team manager. “It has been a difficult season in so many ways. However, we have finished strongly.
I have enjoyed my time as team manager of the club. Many memorable moments. I would like to thank all at the club for their support throughout. Hartley Wintney is a magical club and there is a feel about it that often you do not get elsewhere. The club has a culture and I am certain this will continue. However we are not totally finished. We have an Aldershot Senior Cup Final to look forward to in mid May.”
