Basingstoke ObserverHARTLEY Wintney eased their relegation fears as Harry Cooksley fired home a winner in added time on Saturday against Walton Casuals.
For most of the game the Row were second best and the win was very much in the ‘smash and grab’ category.
Walton started well and Hartley were pressed back for long periods during the first half hour. On 11 minutes Tom Bird delivered a cross which was headed wide by Danny Rowe. A constant stream of Stags corners and long throws followed, keeping Hartley under pressure.
On 24 minutes Bird and Adam Liddle combined well with the latter sending his parting shot wide. Totally against the run of play Hartley took the lead following a mistake from Casuals keeper Harvey Collins on 35 minutes. Collins under pressure from Kyan Nicholas spooned a clearance out and the ball landed at Sam Argent. The Row skipper showed great technique by sending an accurate high lob from 25 yards into the visitors net (1-0).
HALF TIME : HARTLEY WINTNEY 1 WALTON CASUALS 0
The second period started with both teams being guilty of misplaced passes. The Stags continued to hold a slight edge but without creating any chances. On 77 minutes Walton pulled level. The Row defence fell asleep at a corner on the right, This enabled a cross from Wilson Carvalho to the back post where former Row full back Tom Bird volleyed home an excellent strike (1-1).
With ten minutes to go the Row finally sparked into life as they sought the winner and three precious points. On 84 minutes Lucias Vine and Cooksley combined well down the right and the cross found debutant Christos Papakonstanitinou in the clear 12 yards from goal. The subsequent shot was tame and straight at Collins who saved easily. Hartley created another chance a minute later when Vine squared to Nicholas who somehow shot over the crossbar from 6 yards out. On 86 minutes a crisp passing move gave an opening to Josh Webb who shot over from 20 yards.
A minute later Webb was again involved. A free kick to Hartley on the right was taken by Webb who saw his delivery beat the defence and finish up in the net. The celebrations were cut short when it was noticed the assistant referee had his flag up for offside.
In the last minute of normal time a cross from Aaron Goode gave the Row another chance. The ball found its way to Papakonstanitinou who shot wide when well placed. Hartley continued to finish strongly and were rewarded with the winner on 94 minutes. Lucias Vine delivered a good cross from the left which was only partially cleared. The ball fell to Harry Cooksley who fired home a low shot from the edge of the penalty area (2-1).
For the Row an important three points which look like making them safe from relegation fears. For most of the match they relied heavily on the centre back pairing of Matt. Drage and Toby Nevile who made countless blocks and interceptions when the Row goal was threatened.
FULL TIME: HARTLEY WINTNEY 2 WALTON CASUALS 1
Anthony Millerick shared: “I felt the Casuals adapted to the hard pitch better in the opening period. It was always going to be a battle with our situation in needing the points. The Stags had us under a lot of pressure from long throws and corners. The goal scored by Sam Argent was amazing. Superb accuracy and technique. I felt we gave away a very cheap goal due to a lack of concentration. However it was a great response as we could have allowed ourselves to be deflated by the goal. We dominated the last 10 minutes or so and could have scored several more goals. Good goal from Harry Cooksley which was of course very welcome. I believe one more win should see us safe.”
