Leatherhead 0 Hartley Wintney 1
Hartley Wintney ended Leatherhead’s unbeaten start to the league campaign with a tightly contested 1-0 win at Fetcham Grove on Tuesday.
The only goal of the match came from a Tanners defensive mix-up midway through the opening half. Goalkeeper Sonny Wheeler was unable to reach a hurried back pass and Alex Body intercepted for the visitors before firing into an unguarded net
Leatherhead created few opportunities going forward in the opening half and always looked vulnerable to counter-attacks from their quick paced opponents.
The Row were also tactically astute, breaking down play at every given opportunity once they took the lead and forcing lengthy stoppages whenever a free kick was awarded in their favour.
Tanners thought they had levelled within a minute of going behind, but Nathan Hogan was in a marginally offside position when he put the ball past goalkeeper Nick Jupp.
The hosts missed a great chance to equalise on 36 minutes after Jupp did well to turn away a long range effort from Hogan. The loose ball fell invitingly for Lukas Franzen-Jones, but the Leatherhead forward’s wide-angled shot went wide of the post.
Hartley Wintney almost doubled their lead just before half time. Body broke clear of his marker before forcing a fine block from Wheeler.
Tanners made three changes at the interval with George Hedley, Anas Igozouln and Jordan Gallagher all introduced for the second half.
Gallagher brought more spark to the Tanners attacks, whipping dangerous crosses into the visitors’ box. But The Row were content to keep eleven players behind the ball at times, dong whatever it took to defend their slender advantage.
Leatherhead came close to levelling on 62 minutes when Jacob Breckon’s long range effort struck the top of the crossbar.
Tanners had a strong shout for a penalty ignored on 80 minutes when Jupp collided with Breckon. Instead of awarding a spot kick the referee allowed play to continue momentarily before another Leatherhead player was brought down just outside the box. Gallagher stepped up to take the free kick, but his effort failed to clear the wall of defenders.
The Row should have scored a second goal three minutes later when Body cleverly rounded a Tanners defender before firing wide from close range.
With lots of breaks in play from the visitors, the referee added eight minutes on top of the ninety for stoppages. But the hosts were unable to test the visitors’ in added time as Hartley Wintney held out to become the first side to take three points off Leatherhead this season.
Tanners are back at Fetcham Grove on Saturday when they host local rivals Kingstonian in an FA Trophy tie. Kick-off is at 3.00pm.
Leatherhead: Sonny Wheeler, Niran Butler, Cameron Black, Mark Waters, Lukas Franzen-Jones (Jordan Gallagher 45), Seb Tauta-Caballero, Kelvin Massango (Geoge Hedley 45), Nathan Hogan, Louie Paget, Kareem Akinnibi (Anas Igozouln 45), Jacob Breckon (Ty Butler 82)
Hartley Wintney: Nick Jupp, Zac Horkan, Callum Wiltshire, George Winser (Sam Tanner 69), Liam Gavin, Mac Ford (Jack Penton 45), Calvin Camara, Harry Grant, Kanye Moyo (George Turner 65), Alex Body (Joshua Ewing 86), Nick Medcraft
