Team: Hipple, Jessavala, Kuodys, Roberts, E.Richards, Loffler, San Emeterio, Shipman, Fewtrell, D.Richards, Stapleton.

Subs: Cousins (Loffler - 65)

Goal Scorer: Roberts (Penalty).

With a number of regular players missing & 2 more dropping out only an hour before the game, leaving us with one outfield substitute this was always going to be a challenge, especially considering the weather conditions. This was certainly confirmed when we saw ex Wales international Darren Barnard appear on the teamsheet for Camberley! Again, the Hartley side consisted of 4 of the current youth team & 2 further players aged 19 who each gave a fully committed performance to be proud of.

Camberley started the brighter of the two sides, they effectively kept posession & pegged Hartley back for the 1st 20 minutes, although they were largely limited to speculative long range efforts. Camberley continued to have the upper hand but Hartley continued to battle & briefly threatened when able to get the ball into the last 3rd of the pitch.

Mindy Kuodys marshalled the defence superbly as Hartley continued to frustrate Camberley, with the rest of the side sticking to their jobs & limiting Camberleys attacking options.

Camberley did manage to take the lead midway through the half from a corner. The kick was mis-hit along the ground into the penalty area, but the centre forward 12 yards from goal managed to swing his foot at the ball & somehow caught it perfectly, smashing the ball into the far bottom corner of the goal leaving Liam Hipple with no chance. 0-1.

The half continued to be a battle, with very few chances being created at either end.

The 2nd half was a much more even affair, with Hartley having more joy playing up the slope, keeping posession & beginning to create chances. The wide players came into the game giving better support to the front two who were working tirelessly.

Following a long ball into the Camberley penalty area & with the goalie hesitating Dave Richards had a fantastic opportunity to equalise, from just outside the 6 yard box he had a header that just needed to be lifted over the oncoming goalie but he just couldn't create enough power to do so.

Confidence was growing & for all the hard work alone Hartley deservedly got the equaliser they were looking for. Dave Richards expertly turned the defender on the far right side of the penalty area & was brought down with a clumsy challenge. Danny Roberts slotted the ball home from the spot to make it 1-1.

As expected Camberley upped the tempo & forced 2 or 3 great saves from Liam Hipple in the Hartley goal. Last ditch tackles were being made & Mindy Kuodys was continuing to control the defence. Camberley did almost take the lead when a speculative shot slipped through the legs of Hipple but to the relief of everyone he managed to smother the ball before it crossed the line. Camberley continued to press & for the last 5 to 10 minutes were throwing all but the kitchen sink at Hartley. Barnard was creeping further up the pitch looking to influence the game but Hartley just about held out to the final whilstle to the joy of the 11 exhausted players but to the frustration of 3rd placed Camberley.

The attitude was incredible from each & every player, for that alone Hartley deserved a point. That was a performance that summed up Hartley of old. We had our backs against the wall for large periods but every single player dug deep, battled & stuck up for eachother & ground out a great result. Well done.