Brading arrived at the Memorial Ground boasting and unbeaten record this season. They had won their 3 league games to date as well as clearing the first two FA Cup hurdles. Hartley on the other hand fileded a much decimated side mainly due to injuries.

The visitors started full of confidence and the Hartley defence was soon under extreme pressure. It took the Islanders just 5 minutes to take the lead. A corner on the left was partly cleared by the home defence. However the clearance fell short and a return header into the box saw the visiting striker head home. On 9 minutes Tom Lovett produced a good save diving to put a fierce low drive around the post. Two minutes later he produced a virtually identical save as the visitors threatened to run riot. A slick move by the visitors on 16 minutes saw a drive go just over and two minutes later the home side had a let off. One of the Brading strikers dribbled through a static home defence and as Tom Lovett rushed out slipped the ball past him and fortunately past the post.

The half hour approached with the new look Hartley defence starting to get the measure of their counterparts and the balance of play staring to change. Keiron Thorne had Hartley's first real effort with a strong shot from distance which the visiting goalie saved comfortably. Approaching half time the home side started to get a foothold in midfield and forced a corner. A subsequent bout of pressure saw two shots from Phil Grove and one from Jack Smilliee bravely charged down by the visitors.

Half Time: Hartley Wintney 0 Brading 1

Hartley should have been level on 46 minutes. Dwayne Winters pace caused panic in the Brading defence when he chased a though ball. the lively Hartley forward managed to get the ball round the goalkeeper but delayed his shot allowing the retreating defenders to get back on the line and the follow up chances were smothered. The match was very even at this stage with the home midfield trio all outstanding in particular Phil Grove. 

The visitors almost increased their lead on 51 minutes when tom Lovett misjudged a long cross the ball was headed across goal and the home goalie re-deemed himself by being in the right place to keep the far post header out on the line. On 61 minutes Hartley had a chance to equalise when Dwayne Winter went on a long run and beat the last defender with pace to get a clear run in on goal. However he delayed his shot allowing the goalie to narrow the angle and the subsequent shot and scramble went the way of the visitors.

Play moved from end to end at this stage with the visiting back up team becoming extremely agitated. On 73 minutes a newly arrived subsitute for the visitors came on and in a melee appeared to throw a punch. The referee missed the offence and almost immediately the same player put in a vicious challenge in midfield. This one saw him a little fortunate to receive just a yellow card. In between Tom Lovett was Hartley's hero as he bravely stopped a fierce drive following a one on one situation with the impressive visitors main striker.

On 78 minutes Kieron Thorne received a second yellow card followed by a red card and the relief amongst the visitors was visible. A minute later Tom Lovett produced another smart save from a fierce drive. Despite the number disadvantge Hartley continued to play some good football and remained in the contest. That should have changed on 88 minutes when a Brading midfielder somehow put the ball over the bar from around 2 yards from a left wing cross.

In the final minute Dwayne Winter did well to beat two defenders and work space near the visiting goal. Having got to the goal line the striker delayed his cross with two Hartley players well positioned to tap home and was eventually crowded out.

An excellent afternoons entertainment of a very watchable match against a good side. Hartley are improving rapidly and it is certain that it will not be long before they start climbing the league. 

Final Result: Hartley Wintney 0 Brading 1  

Drummie