Guernsey 4 Hartley Wintney 0

SOMETHING HAD TO GIVE: Guernsey had won all their home games whilst Hartley had won all their away games, so something had to give and unfortunately it was Hartley who lost their unbeaten record in dramatic style.

For the first 25 minutes Hartley were a match for the home side and were probably the better side at that stage with keeping the ball, with two or three shots at goal and a couple of low crosses into the six yard area which could have been converted, and at that stage both sets of supporters might have thought that a 0-0 draw could be on the cards, and then disaster struck. Lee Allen gave a needless penalty away which was then duly dispatched, and then over the next ten minutes the team switched off, dropped their heads and lost their composure and, after two ghastly defensive errors, were three goals down. Guernsey were in total control, playing good football and the game was over, although if Hamilton had struck the target in the last minute of the half, at 3-1 it might have put a different gloss on it.

The second half was really a damage limitation exercise for Hartley, and for all their effort Guernsey were in total control and while they only managed to score one further goal they could have had others, whilst Hartley I am afraid did not look like scoring and one could sense their frustration by the number of poor passes they made straight to the opposition.

Guernsey had two superb players on view who should be playing to a much higher standard and they were their No 8 Black and No 6 Mackay. Whether Hartley would have been in with a better shout if all their experienced key midfield players had been available it is hard to say because life is easy in hindsight to predict, but obviously it does leave a huge gap with the best will in the world for those who had to fill it, because being only a village team we do not have their resources. I know the defence say they were to blame for the goals, but the rest of the team have to get back and help them out as quickly as possible, because it is a team game.

I have to say, with their financial resources they have at their disposal Guernsey can only get better and better as the season progresses with players ready to fill in any position that is vacant, and it is hard to see anybody beating them in the league from now on. But on the day Hartley were definitely second best.

After the game the manager, Neville Roach, expressed his disappointment with the result and said he thought for the first 25 minutes we were the better side, caused them problems, kept the ball, but then after the penalty their heads dropped, lost composure and their confidence suffered. But he said although this was their first defeat he thought the players were still upbeat and positive for the clash next week against Bedfont and cannot wait to show it.

But this is not the end of the world, finishing second in the league will still be a bonus and huge achievement and lets hope all the supporters get behind the team and cheer them on next week because there is still a lot to play for. [Nick Vint]

Team Allen, Stamp, Newcombe, Paterson, Bloxham (C), Coventry, Hogston (Pearson), Lee (Fox), Hamilton (Hogsden), Dillon, Brownlie.

Plus 15 vocal supporters.

Feltham 1 - 3 Hartley FC

Hartley travelled to Feltham FC, who came into the game off the back of a 10 game losing streak - against a strong Hartley side who were yet to lose a single league game.

Hartley began the brighter of the sides, camping in their half for the first ten, with a changed front three that saw Daniel Brownlie brought in on the right, Dean Peltohaka as the target man, and the increasingly impressive Ben Dillon on the left hand side.

Hartley saw a few chances go narrowly wide, before, against the run of play, the Feltham right back found himself with the ball at the edge of the box, after the ‘large' Feltham number 9 laid the ball off, and he duly buried the ball past the helpless Lee Allen.

A wake up call for Hartley, but the message from the bench was to continue playing how they were, and to continue playing the brand of football that has rightly earned Hartley their fantastic start to the season.  

Hartley had a couple of chances to pull back the deficit, and the breakthrough finally came when Nathan Stamp, who played at left back for the injured Newcombe, crossed the ball to the on running Dillon who calmly slotted the ball to the left of the keeper.

Hartley were back to playing their free flowing football, with the front three linking up well and the impressive debutant Ross Hogston creating space in the middle of the park. Jack Coventry was showing glimpses of the magic that has earned his promotion from the reserves side, and looked as though his confidence was beginning to build; and it was Jack who laid the ball to Stamp, in what effectively was a carbon copy of the first goal. Stamp crossed the ball, and in one motion Dillon controlled the ball and turned, leaving the bemused defender with a severe case of staple foot. Dillon took two touches and passed the ball into the back of the net.

The Feltham number 8 - I am well aware of his name, but don't even want to give him the air time he seemingly craves with such lunacy. The player wasn't having the best of games as he chased the shadows of the midfield 3 of Coventry, Lee & Hogston. However, I have heard of getting close to your opponents, but not close enough to sink your teeth into your opponents back. As the referee suggested, Michael Lee did well not to react even more so, unfortunately, his reaction did warrant a red card, of which the ref showed some regret displaying. According to reports - this player will never play for Feltham FC again; this could have been for lack of ability - or the incident itself.

Right, that's over.

Half Time:  1 -2

Hartley came out with great spirit and determination and had a reshuffle with the formation. Dean came into the centre of the park, and the hardworking Brownlie partnered the goalscorer Dillon as a front two. Hartley continued to apply pressure to a tiring Feltham side. The game was sealed when Luke Pearson (right back) slotted the ball into the path of hat-trick hunting Dillon, who with the outside of his foot punched the ball past the Feltham keeper.

The organised Hartley side made some changes, bringing on another debutant Foxy (Chris Fox) replacing Dean, and Dillon and Brownlie coming off for Ricky Hogsden & Ryan Stephens. It was great to see Ryan back playing, and it wasn't long before Ryan had the ball in the back of the net, only to be ruled offside.

Hartley finished the game winners and continued their impressive run. Hartley now travel to league leaders Guernsey FC. This will be a fantastic test for our boys who are only one of two teams to take points of the channel islands side.

Good luck lads.

Full time: 1 - 3

Team: Allen, Pearson, Stamp, Paterson, Bloxham, Lee, Hogston, Coventry, Brownlie, Dillon, Peltohaka.

Subs used: Fox, Hogsden, Stephens.

A very good effort from the lads against a changed but nonetheless strong Basingstoke Town side. The 3-2 scoreline certainly isn't flattering on us and on another day we might have nicked it - 'stoke keeper Chay Morris pulled off some very good saves. Josh Daniels led the line superbly well, particularly first half.

Basingstoke took the lead on 11 mins after an even first 10 minutes, but we stuck to our task and when Josh was put through he took his chance very well, firing strongly passed the onrushing keeper. Another good move ended with Josh responding to Jack Smillie's call, teeing up the recently returned midfielder with a chance he neatly put away. 2-1 up at the half-time whistle and not undeserved from what had been a pretty even half.

'Stoke strikers Delano Sam-Yorke and David Pratt were causing us problems as expected, but it was unfortunate that the equaliser came very early into the second half from the penalty spot - it seemed a soft call from where I was but I didn't have a great view; however, it was given by the assistant rather than the ref and that always throws up a bit of a question mark in my mind. Lee was given little chance with the spot kick.

Basingstoke stole the win with a very neat move finished by David Pratt, but chances fell to the Hartley lads before and after that goal and only some fine saves and the luck against us prevented an equaliser. The game ended with Hartley attacking as Nathan Stamp sent a fierce free-kick over the bar.

Lee Allen had been called on to make several good saves but my personal Man of the Match has to go to Josh Daniels, exceptional on the night - well done Josh.

A terrific effort all round and we go back to the Camrose on Saturday for the next installment and rather more at stake, not least pride in a local derby between two teams 2 leagues and 4 divisions apart. [KOB]

SQUAD: Allen, Stamp, Newcombe, Patterson (c), Bridges, Pearson, Smillie (Dillon), Daniels (Stephens), Peltohaka, Brownlie, Coventry. Subs: Tillson, Stephens, Williams, Hamilton, Dillon.

Hartley needed to get back to focusing on their mundane league programme, following their exploits in the cup in the last three weeks, with a win to keep in touch with Guernsey and Bedfont, which they did with a 6-1 thrashing of Westfield.

Starting as usual brightly, Hartley had one or two chances until in the 15th minute when Jermaine Hamilton turned and swung his big right boot at the ball and it ended up in the net with the 'keeper rooted to the spot.

Hartley were soon two up when good inter-change between Peltoahaka and Dillon saw Dillon side foot home, this after he had missed an easier chance a minute earlier.

Hartley were continuing to dominate, but then some slack passing five minutes before half-time led to a dubious penalty being awarded against them, which was duly dispatched. After that Hartley lost their way a bit in midfield and allowed Westfield to create one or two chances and to end the half on top.

In the second half Hartley began to show their dominance again and played some good football, and after an hour Ryan Stephens added a third after the keeper had saved from Dillon. From then on Hartley relaxed and the best goal of the day was a nice one-two between Ben Dillon and Andy Newcombe before Ben beat the keeper for his second of the match (on another day he could have had four or five).

Martin Williams lobbed the keeper for the fifth after the keeper lost the ball, and then another delightful one-two passing movement right at the end allowed Jack Coventry to slip the ball home. There was even time for a shell-shocked Westfield to miss another penalty.

This performance showed when not even quite at full strength the team can still produce the goods.

One word to say about the ref! They do get much maligned but the ref could have produced a red card for the penalties and also a few yellow cards, but he kept them in his pocket - good for him. [NV]

SQUAD: Allen, Rayhan, Newcombe (Tennant), Paterson, Bridges, Williams, Peltohaka (Smillie), Coventry, Hamilton (Brownlie), Dillon and Stephens. Subs not required: Dan Tillson.

Hartley Wintney successfully negotiated their fourth tie in this season's FA Cup - three of them against higher league opposition - to take their place in the 3rd Qualifying Round of the prestigious trophy for the first time in the club's history.

In front of a sizeable crowd on a gloriously sunny and warm first of October, the home side were matched against Evo-Stick Southern League Division 1 South & West side Bideford AFC, who were sitting third in their division. It was clear that any surprise factor for the home side would have gone by now after wins away at Alresford Town and at home to Southern Premier Bashley, so this was always going to be a very tough call, even for in-form Hartley Wintney of the Combined Counties Division 1.

The home side started well but Bideford were exerting plenty of their own pressure, particularly down their right wing, giving left-back Andy Newcombe plenty of work to do. Chances were created at both ends but it was a relatively scrappy game with both sides looking for the longer ball to cut their forwards free. As the visitors continued to press, Hartley's defence and midfield were forced deeper, and with Hartley's forwards being well marshalled, they found it difficult to find space and collect the balls being played out of defence.

With the half-time whistle due within a couple of minutes, it was Bideford's pressure that finally paid off for them. Keeper Lee Allen rose to claim a high ball but was unable to grasp the ball cleanly under a strong challenge. The ball ran loose and at first it seemed the danger might be cleared, but it fell to Bideford's Kevin Squires who struck the ball firmly passed the recovering Allen and the defenders on the line.

It was a cruel blow to the home side, who had matched their visitors well and could have scored themselves, but having gone behind for the first time in the Cup this season, and against strong opposition, it was going to take a huge effort and a great deal of belief for Hartley to get something from the game. They began the second half in confident mood and restricted the visitors to half chances while creating some better openings of their own. There were less gaps and we looked stronger, while the visitors continued to dispute many of the decisions they believed were going against them.

The equaliser came on 55 minutes. The ball was headed up high by one of the Bideford central defenders and was dropping some way behind him. As Jermaine Hamilton moved at pace towards what seemed a lost cause as the ball looked to be heading over the byline, the keeper appeared to hesitate then came to close off what appeared to be an impossible angle. Talking with Jermaine afterwards, he was aware that nobody was up with him and felt he could do nothing else but have a go on the half volley. From the acutest of angles he managed to thread the ball between the onrushing keeper and near post, and while nine times out of ten it would have gone right across the goal, there was just enough angle and swerve to take it inside the far post.

Lifted by the equaliser and great vocal suppport from the home crowd, the confidence in the home side visibly increased even more and it was just 5 minutes later that Ryan Stephens went on one of his jinking runs into the box and, as the keeper came out, Ryan swivelled to take the ball from his grasp and was taken down with the ref ideally placed and he showed no hesitation in awarding the penalty. Up steps Jermaine Hamilton, clearly a lot calmer than most of the watching home fans, to stroke the penalty hard and low to the keeper's left and into the bottom corner.

While Hartley went on to hit the post twice, including a rasping drive by Dean Peltohaka after a terrific pass by Ryan Stephens, the visitors were mostly restricted to relatively long-range shots, although the latter stages certainly required some more excellent defending from joint Man of the Match Darryl Bloxham, fellow centre-back Chris Paterson and fullbacks Nathan Stamp and Andrew Newcombe. Keeper Lee Allen had also by now long dispelled any anguish over the first-half spill with some timely clearances and good handling, though thankfully he had few real saves to make.

Great scenes again at the final whistle as Hartley Wintney pulled off another unlikely cup shock. Jermaine Hamilton was voted joint Man of the Match along with 'Blocko'. [KOB]

SQUAD: Lee Allen, Nathan Stamp, Andrew Newcombe, Chris Paterson, Darryl Bloxham, Jack Coventry, Martin Williams (C), Dean Peltohaka, Jermaine Hamilton, Ryan Stephens, Ben Dillon. Subs: Dan Tillson, Josh Daniels (on for Stephens), Oliver Bridges, Nick Kingston (on for Jermaine Hamilton), Dan Brownlie (on for Ben Dillon).

Hartley Wintney smoothly cruised to victory in a highly accomplished manner against Petersfield, who began the game top of the table in Wessex Div 1.

Hartley started off brightly and it was no surprise when Martin Williams found plenty of space in front of him and hit a beauty from 20 yards into the top corner.

Hartley continued to dominate and Jermaine Hamilton turned smartly in the penalty area and struck the ball low into the corner. It was only 2-0 at half-time with Hartley so dominant - but failing to make the most of their chances - that Lee Allen only had one save to make.

The second half continued in the same vein like the first, but the Hartley strikers were having one of those days when nothing went right for them and it seemed that however hard they tried they were not going to score, even if they played another 90 minutes! And so it was left to centre-half Darrel Bloxham when he rose above everyone to score with a powerful header from a corner. As he said afterwards, he could not remember the last time he scored!!

It was then a procession after that and Nick Kingston added a fourth with a touch of fortune when it bounced over the keeper. A brief lapse by the defence allowed Petersfield a consolation goal, but then the icing on the cake was when Andy Newcombe's swerving cross from 30 yards out went straight into the back of the net.

Two things stood out in this game:
Lee Allen will never make an outfield footballer... because when he tried to beat two players with his dainty footwork he lost the ball.
Man of the Match has to be Martin Williams as he controlled the midfield and, with his neat touches, he dominated proceedings with his class... and even on one occasion he smiled...

Make no mistake, Petersfield were not a bad side, they had one or two individuals who could play good football, but they did not ignite as a team in the way that Hartley did and who, in the end, totally outclassed them.

As a footnote, the club were at one time considering pulling out of the Combined Counties League - as they were taking more new teams into it from around South London and creating longer journeys - and moving to the Wessex League. I wonder where we would be now!!

In the next round we play Bournemouth Poppies FC away, who are in the Wessex Premier League. [NV]

TEAM: L Allen, L Pearson, A Newcombe, C Paterson (O Bridges), D Bloxham, J Coventry, M Williams, D Peltohaka, J Hamilton (N Kingston), R Stephens, B Dillon (D Brownlie)
Subs: D Tillson, J Tennant, N Kingston, D Brownlie, O Bridges.

Hartley Wintney produced a major shock upset in the cup today when they beat high flying Bashley of the Southern Premier League at Hartley 1-0.

The first half was quite an even affair where both teams seemed nervous, with too many misplaced passes, and the visitors really only had one relatively easy chance, which was spurned. After the break Bashley began to exert more pressure and began to create one or two chances, but the back four and goalkeeper Lee Allen for Hartley played magnificently and kept them at bay, so that they became more despondent as the game went on.

Hartley then began to have more possession and more confidence and started to create chances of their own, and then it happened; in the 83rd minute an astute substitution in the name of Daniel Brownlie took control after Willo (captain Martin Williams) had put him through and he calmly slotted the ball home.

After that the confidence in the home side oozed through and it was end-to-end stuff with our forwards having three or four shots all saved by the keeper in the space of ten minutes, and although Bashley searched for an equaliser the defence rode out the storm. When the final whistle went there was the loudest cheer heard in Hartley Wintney for years. This was a truly terrific result for Hartley and they have now gone ten games without defeat and cannot wait for the lst October and the next cup tie; against unknown opponents at the moment but who cares when they put on a performance like that!

The man of the match, although all the defence played well and any one of them could have won it, went to Chris Paterson.

After the game Bashley were honourable in defeat and said that this was the magic of the cup, the unexpected happens, we deserved to win and hoped us well in the next round.

When asked for his comments, Roachy (manager Neville Roach) said "I am still lost for words, the guys played out of their skin, I am still in shock, they were fantastic." [NV]

SQUAD: Lee Allen, Luke Pearson, Andy Newcombe, Chris Paterson, Darryl Bloxham, Michael Lee (Jack Coventry), Martin Williams (c), Dean Peltohaka, Jermaine Hamilton (James Tennant), Ryan Stephens, Ben Dillon (Daniel Brownlie). Subs: Dan Tillson, Jack Coventry, Oliver Bridges, James Tennant, Daniel Brownlie, Ryan Warner, Luke Fewtrell.

Match Report By RovingJoe | Tuesday 9th August 2011

Captain Martin Williams grabbed an injury-time equaliser to deny Guernsey FC from securing all three points
Williams struck two minutes into added time to salvage a point after a Guernsey defender handled the ball just outside the area.

Guernsey started brightly and kept the ball well, however had difficulty creating the final ball, and lacked creativity in midfield. Hartley also started well, not allowing Guernsey to gain their rhythm, with Kingston and Thorne working hard in midfield to regain and break up possession. Hartley started to regain more of the possession and began piling on the pressure.

Hartley broke the deadlock in the first half when Dean Peltohaka neatly finished in the top left hand corner of the impressive Guernsey keeper. This goal felt like a long time coming, after Ryan Stephens had come close on numerous occasions, including a terrific strike that forced a one handed save from the young keeper. Newcombe also ran onto a ball and sent a rocket, which agonisingly hit the bottom of the post from 30 yards.

Hartley controlled much of the first half, with Nathan Stamp often finding the feet of Dean Peltohaka who, with a deft touch, would set up the forward running Kingston and Stephens.

Guernsey did create chances themselves; however the ever improving Lee Allen was hardly troubled and took control of his area.

First Half 1-0

With an audience of just under 300, Guernsey came out in a changed kit, having spent the first half in Hartley's away strip due to difficulties at the airport.

The game turned on its head when Guernsey's pacey forward broke through on goal and fell to the ground. The ref believed Patterson had pulled the player down, and was shown the red card (we reserve judgement!).

The game began to turn against Hartley, with very few decisions going their way. Ollie Bridges was brought on to replace Dean Peltohaka, to partner up with Darrel Bloxham in the centre of defence. Not long after, Guernsey scored a scrappy goal; the strike was cruel on the hard-working Hartley side that had created the better chances but ultimately paid the price for some wasteful finishing.

Then with ten minutes to go, the well supported Guernsey side broke through on goal, Bloxham lunged to get the ball but ended up taking the player first. With everyone expecting a red card to come out, in view of the previous sending off being a lot softer, the Ref surprisingly waved a yellow card in the air. Guernsey's top scorer, Allen, fired the ball in the bottom right, much to the delight of the visiting island's supporters.

Brownlie replaced the hard-working Stephens, and worked hard up front to make it difficult for the Guernsey defenders. His hard work nearly paid off as a misplaced back-pass to the goalkeeper fell in his path, but a fantastic recovery tackle from the goalkeeper brushed it passed Brownlie and the onrushing Jack Coventry.

Lee Allen saved the day, throwing himself at two shots in quick succession; the ball appeared destined for the back of the net, but with a combination of great defending and Allen's acrobatics, Hartley managed to keep Guernsey from extending their lead. It wasn't going to be Hartley's night...or was it?!

A diagonal ball fired in from man of the match Nathan Stamp, hung up in the air, and from within the melee a hand popped up and struck the ball - and that hand belonged to a green shirt. The ref blew for a free kick. Williams placed the ball, took a few short steps back, and like an arrow planted the ball in the bottom left corner. The Hartley players went crazy, and the relief was demonstrated by their celebration. It was incredibly deserved.

Overall, Hartley looked to be the better side, having created the better chances in the first half.

Full Time 2-2

Squad: Allen, Stamp, Bloxham, Patterson, Newcombe, Coventry, Thorne, Kingston (Dillon), Williams, Peltohaka (Bridges), Stephens (Brownlie)

Hartley Wintney won their opening day of the season in the last minute of the match, as they left Short Lane with all 3 points.

Combined Counties League Div 1, 6th August 2011
Report by Roving Joe
In a very close contested match, Staines Lammas lost their opening game of the season in the 93rd minute, when a last minute mistake let Hartley Wintney leave with all 3 points.

Hartley Wintney looked comfortable from the outset, with Staines bypassing their own midfield by playing the long ball from the back, which landed like a homing missile on the head of league debutant Daryl Bloxham. The central midfield combination of Williams, Thorne and the hard-working Kingston proved to be incredibly successful, and with the young Jack Coventry providing natural width as he was granted with a free role.

Staines never troubled commanding goalkeeper Lee Allen, who had very little to do all game. The well organised Staines side never looked liked scoring. However, what they lacked up front they certainly made up for in resilience and determination not to concede. Staines were incredibly difficult to break down, and a number of chances went narrowly wide. Jack Coventry and Dean Peltohaka each had an opportunity to put the visitors one up, however both were blocked by the impressive Staines keeper. The teams went in level on goals, but with Hartley certainly in the driving seat.

Half Time 0-0

In truth, Neville Roach's men should have been out of sight by the start of the second half but they could not make the most of their vastly superior possession. Hartley started as they finished, with a number of chances being created, but found it very difficult to find the final ball. With an incredibly strong bench, Hartley manager Neville Roach changed things around, bringing on Ben Dillon (for Dean Peltohaka) and Daniel Brownlie (for Jack Coventry) who was a threat down the right hand side. His changes brought almost instant dividends, with Hartley pouring forward following the substitutions. Brownlie's first touch was a whipped in ball for Dillon; frustratingly the ball flew agonisingly past the debutant striker.

Hartley held firm and continued to threaten to take the lead and suddenly looked like scoring. An impressive move down the right-hand side led to Ryan Stephens going through on goal, and once again the Staines keeper blocked with his legs. With time running out, Staines looked to be happy with the point and "shut up shop". Then, in the dying seconds of the game, a mistake coming from some hesitant Staines defending led to an opportunity as the home side were caught in possession just inside the box. Ryan Stephens landed the ball and was twice brought down in the box, but managed to stay on his feet and neatly finished with a goal from an incredibly tight angle.

The new back line looked impressive, with two equally gifted replacements available from the bench - last year's stalwart Ollie Bridges, and newly signed Luke Pearson. Along with the ever dependable Nathan Stamp, new signing, Andrew Newcombe looks a very rounded player.

The attitude of the players was fantastic, and the reaction when the goal was scored demonstrated the enthusiasm and effort that all the boys put in. A well deserved victory and an excellent start to the season. Also impressive was the quality of the players on the bench, with plenty of opportunities to change the dimensions of the team.

Squad: Allen, Newcombe, Bloxham, Patterson, Stamp, Thorne, Williams, Kingston, Coventry (Brownlie), Peltohaka (Dillon), Stephens.
Subs not used: Luke Pearson, Ollie Bridges

A very good 7 - 2 win against a good young Farnborough Reserve team, although it was not a good start for us by going 1 - 0 down in the first 10 minutes and then losing keeper Tom Lovett through a clash of heads with one of the Farnborough players.

It was a good workout for us and very pleasing to see how far we have come as a squad with our work-rate on and off the ball, which we did not do enough last year. It was also good to see our front boys getting into good habits by taking their goals well, with four goals from Jermaine Hamilton and three from Ryan Stephens.

The young Farnborough side gave us a good game - they worked very hard throughout the whole 90 minutes by keeping the ball and tried to make life difficult for us.

A good all round performance today which sets us up nicely for the start of the league campaign on Saturday against Staines Lammas.

Roachy