22 September 2020

FA Cup First Qualifying Round

Hartley Wintney                  5          Hollamby 26, Parker 41, Wright 45, 63, Burt 86

Erith and Belvedere          0

(Report by David Graham, Hartley Wintney website)

Hartley Wintney recorded an emphatic win over Erith & Belvedere to move into the next round of the FA Cup. The visitors from Kent brought 9 noisy supporters who helped make a good cup atmosphere from the crowd of 254.

The Row started on the front foot and on 6 minutes a well worked move down the left ended with a cross being headed just wide by Mitch Parker. Four minutes later the Deres recorded their first attempt. A neat move through the middle resulted in a good strike from the edge of the box by Matt Neary, which brought out a good save from Row 'keeper, Luke Williams.

On 14 minutes, a Ty Smith corner saw a Shane Hollamby header bring out a good save, this time from Rilwan Anibaba in the Erith goal.

On 22 minutes, with Hartley getting on top, a Tom Bird cross found Matt Drage who fired over. Three minutes later the Row pressure was rewarded with the breakthrough. A corner from Mitch Parker found the head of Shane Hollamby who powered his header home. (1-0)

Tom Bird featured in many of the Hartley attacks down the left and from one of his crosses, on 34 minutes, Sam Argent saw his header saved by Anibaba.

The Row continued to have the edge and on 39 minutes Parker gave Ben Wright a chance which was again saved by Anibaba. A minute later the Row increased their lead. Anis Nuur and Dom Griffiths combined well in midfield and the latter’s through ball found Parker. The striker ran on and scored from 18 yards. (2-0)

Hartley continued to dominate and Ben Wright came close after being set up by Sam Argent. However the third goal duly arrived on the stroke of half time. The Row made ground down the right, enabling Parker to cross. The ball came to Wright who swivelled and scored with a powerful shot. (3-0)

HALF TIME: Hartley Wintney 3 Erith & Belvedere 0

Hartley had an early chance after the break. Ty Smith found Bird who ran forward and shot wide. Then on 48 minutes the Row were awarded a free kick near the penalty box. Ty Smith took the kick and a deflection saw a spectacular save from Anibaba. From the resulting corner by Smith, Wright headed wide.

The Deres had a rare break and the best move of the match on 57 minutes gave Tyler Anderson a chance. The substitute’s effort from the edge of the box brought out a good save from Williams.

Hartley responded and increased the lead on 60 minutes. A mix up in the Deres defence allowed a clear run in for Wright and the striker scored with a clinical finish into the bottom corner. (4-0)

Two minutes later the visitors were reduced to 10 men when James Hawkins picked up a second yellow card.

On 78 minutes, a long ball from Drage found Argent who was unlucky to see his effort from a tight angle cleared off the line.

The Row continued to press and time and again, like the rest of the match, the Deres defended stoutly. They were well served by 'keeper Anibaba and centre-backs Rob Curtis and Reece Barrett. However they were unable to prevent a fifth Hartley goal in the 88th minute. A good break down the left enabled Dean Stow to cross and Lukas Burt scored from close range. [D Graham]

FULL TIME: Hartley Wintney 5 Erith and Belvedere 0

Crowd: 254
Man of the match: Shane Hollamby

HARTLEY WINTNEY: Luke Williams, Nathan Smart, Tom Bird (Josh Eatwell 60), Shane Hollamby, Matt Drage, Ty Smith (Dean Stow 60), Dom Griffiths, Anis Nuur, Ben Wright (Lukas Burt 76), Mitchell Parker, Sam Argent

ERITH & BELVEDERE: Rilwan Anibaba, Akeeb Adeyemo, James Hawkins, Marlon Patterson, Rob Curtis, Reece Barrett, Henry Dasafunio (Tyler Anderson 80), Drew Allassani, Matt Neary (Lauric Diakiesse 70), Jamie Taylor, Malik Nosike (Steve Springett 76).

Forum contributor “Bazza” added:

A good win last night. Nice to see chances being put away. Let's see who we get in the next round. I must also praise Erith & Belvedere in that despite the fact they were soundly beaten, at no point did their heads drop and were still chasing the ball at the latter stages. A credit to their club. Special mention to the goalkeeper who, despite playing his team into trouble a few too many times, pulled off some good saves and kept the score down, this despite the good-hearted banter he was receiving at times.