HARTLEY Wintney progressed into the second qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup with a comfortable win over a spirited Roman Glass St George side from Bristol.
Hartley started strongly and laid siege to the Glass goal. On two minutes, Tom Leggett made good progress down the right and his cross found Harry Cooksley who brought out a decent save from Joe Perry in the home goal.
Pressure continued and a minute later Reese Jones created a chance and was unlucky to see his shot hit the post. However the opening goal was delayed by just one more minute. Jones and Anis Nuur combined to set up Youel Emmanuel who flicked the ball past Perry. (0-1)
The Row continued to dominate and chances were created for Kingsley Eshun and Emmanuel who both shot over the bar in the 13th minute. Two minutes later Eshun crossed and Emmanuel shot wide. On 17 minutes a Cooksley corner was headed wide by Eshun.
Roman Glass had their first chance on 24 minutes when a free kick from Lewis Leigh Gilchrist was headed wide by Ollie Woodhouse. Hartley regained the initiative and on 32 minutes Aaron McLeish-White who set up Jones who fired just wide. Hartley were unlucky not to add to the lead on 39 minutes when a Cooksley corner saw Toby Neville’s effort hit the bar.
On the stroke of half time Hartley added a second goal. McLeish-White made good progress down the inside right channel before crossing for Zidan Akers to score from close range. (0-2)
The home side showed more urgency at the start of the second half but it was Hartley who had two efforts on 50 minutes. First a Cooksley cross found Jones who shot wide. Then Cooksley again became provider as he set up McLeish-White who shot over.
The Glass had a good spell and on 53 minutes Louis Ward created a good chance for Neikell Plummer who shot wide. Hartley responded and Jones saw another attempt tipped over by Perry on 55 minutes.
The home side came close on 57 minutes when a free kick from Gilchrist found Miles Ferguson who saw his header pushed over by Desbois. Three minutes later Harvey Tierney for the home side crossed and Saquille Smith saw his effort saved by Desbois.
Glass continued to press and on 63 minutes Gilchrist set up Plummer who saw his effort saved by Desbois.
The Bristol side remained on top and Jake White gave Plummer another chance but the striker shot wide when through on goal.
Hartley responded and put the match out of reach from the Glass on 71 minutes. A Cooksley corner found the head of Toby Neville whose header found the corner of the net.(0-3)
The Row remained in control and on 76 minutes added a fourth. Zidan Akers and Anis Nuur combined down the left and the latter’s shot took a deflection wrong footing Perry in the home goal.(0-4)
In the last minute Perry brought out a smart save from Nuur after a fast right wing break by Leggett. Without being at their best their Row are through to the next round avoiding a potential banana skin which was predicted by some.
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