By David Graham

Hartley Wintney progressed into the next round of the FA Trophy with a narrow but deserved win over East Grinstead Town.

The Wasps had an early chance on five minutes when an error in the Row back line enabled Charlie Harris to have a clear run in on goal. However, Row’s debutant goalkeeper Kie Plumley came out and made a good save.

Hartley held an edge for most of the first half and on eight minutes George Wallace got free down the left and his delivery across the front of the goal just eluded the incoming home forwards. The Row had most of the possession but had to wait until the 30th minute for their next attempt on goal when a fierce shot from distance by Wallace was saved by the well-positioned Matte Pierson in the visitors' goal.  Two minutes later a right wing cross from Ellis Orsborn found Aderi Dede who saw his header well saved by Pierson.

On 41 minutes against the general run of play, Alex Andrede-Filipe went on a surging run down the left and his drive from a tight angle was saved by Plumley. Two minutes later a good build-up from Hartley ended with a pass wide to Wallace who saw his goal-bound effort saved by a combination of Pierson and the post.

The long overdue goal arrived just before half-time. A corner on the left by George Britton was not fully cleared by the Wasps' defence. The ball fell to Reece Wylie who saw his full-blooded effort bravely blocked. The ball came out to George Wallace who saw his drive from 25 yards find the net.  (1-0)

The Wasps swarmed forward at the start of the second period and on 50 minutes a free kick from Harris went just past the post. A minute later Wallace got free down the left for the Row and his cross saw a Charlie Postance header bring out an excellent save from Pierson.

Six minutes later a good build-up down the left saw Wallace find Jack Penton who saw his effort go wide. On 58 minutes Hartley doubled their lead when indecision in the Wasps' defence led to Wylie and  Dede breaking through unchallenged. Wylie drew keeper Pierson before passing to Aderi Dede who shot into the empty net. (2-0)

The goal seemed to sting the Wasps into action and they spent considerable time buzzing around the Hartley goal for the remainder of the match.  Their efforts were rewarded when a left-wing cross was not fully cleared by the Row defence and Charlie Harris shot home from 20 yards. (2-1)

Despite being in the ascendancy East Grinstead were unable to get another sting in and it was Hartley who had good late chances to extend the lead. On 90 minutes Wylie played in Sam Bartlett for a one-on-one with Pierson and the visitors goalie came out on top. Then with the Wasps goalie well off his line, Wylie attempted a shot from his own half which dropped just over the crossbar.

There was to be no sting in the tail and the Row progressed.

Best for Hartley were Tom Drinkwater in defence, George Wallace at wing back and Reece Wylie in midfield.