Match report by Rod Elis-
Hartley Wintney 1 Leatherhead 1
Leatherhead slipped to fourth place in the league with a frustrating 1-1 draw against
play-off contenders Hartley Wintney at the Memorial Ground on Tuesday evening.
Tanners dominated the first 45 minutes and should have converted a number of good
chances to go in at half-time with a healthy lead. Instead they had to be content with a
one-goal advantage, courtesy of an instinctive finish from Luther Williams after
goalkeeper Louis Evans spilled a cross on 24 minutes.
Hartley Wintney pulled a goal back early in the second half and from there on looked
the side more likely to force a winner. But both sides tired in the latter stages on a
heavy pitch, impacted by a swirling wind and driving rain.
Tanners started brightly and had the ball in the Row’s net after six minutes. But
Trevan Robinson was caught marginally offside as he received a through ball from
Daniel Hector.
Leatherhead continued to push forward and should have had someone in a finishing
position when Alpha Diallo sent a probing delivery across the six yard box from the
right on eleven minutes.
Tanners created further chances in their attempts to break down the hosts’ defence.
Robinson headed over the bar a corner from Kenny Beaney and Ghas Sow fired a shot just
wide.
But the Row’s midfield gradually gathered momentum going forward, creating a
couple of good opportunities to break the deadlock. A shot from Isaac Ebejer was
turned behind for a corner before Ik Hill forced a good save from Leatherhead keeper
Mikey Allen.
The wind had a decisive part to play in the evening’s opening goal. A long free kick
was pumped into the Row’s penalty area and Evans was unable to gather the ball
cleanly. It dropped invitingly at the feet of Williams who calmly stabbed it home from
close range.
Tanners had a chance to add to their lead on 32 minutes. Robinson latched onto the
ball just inside the Row’s half and tried to beat the advancing keeper from forty yards
out. But the Leatherhead striker’s powerful long range effort rolled agonisingly wide
of the post.
The second half was a different story as Hartley Wintney kept more possession of the
ball. Once again the swirling wind played a major role in the Row’s leveller on 51
minutes.
A cross was pumped into Leatherhead’s penalty area from the right but the ball
somehow evaded everyone as it ran towards the far post, with Conor Lynch handily
placed to provide the finishing touch.
There were few clear chances at either end in the latter stages of the game. Momodou
Jallow forced a fine save from Allen and Hill fired another effort wide for the hosts,
while shots from Leatherhead’s Hector, Diallo and Tyler Cox all failed to test Evans.
The result will satisfy neither side as Marlow leap-frogged Leatherhead into third
place with a win at Hanworth Villa, while the sixth placed hosts were looking for
three points to displace Raynes Park Vale and move into the top five.
Tanners will seek to return to winning ways on Saturday when they make the long trip
to mid-table Thatcham Town.
Hartley Wintney: Louis Evans, Ellis Orsborn, George Wallace (Ryan Case 46), Andry
Demira, Liam Gavin, Isaac Ebejer (Adam Payce 72), Momodou Jallow, Mason
Obeng, Conor Lynch, Ik Hill (Jayden Smith 87), Reece Wylie
Leatherhead: Mikey Allen, Alpha Diallo (Omarr Lawson 81), Michael Elechi, Luther
Williams, Ollie Cook, Fikayo Atewologun, Daniel Hector, Kenny Beaney, Trevan
Robinson , Ghas Sow, Tyler Cox (Fabio Saraiva 81)