Hartley Wintney, with new manager Danny Ackland in place, claimed the three points with a comfortable win over Corinthian Casuals.

After a quiet opening it was the Casuals who had the first effort on six minutes. A long ball found striker Danny Campion in a good position but his effort on goal lacked power and Callum Coulter in the Row goal saved easily. Hartley gradually gained the ascendancy and on 20 minutes were very unlucky not to score. Casuals’ keeper Jordan Brown came out into a crowd of players to clear. The ball arrived at Reece Wylie for the Row and the midfielder with Brown off his line was out of luck when his shot at the unguarded goal crashed off the crossbar. Three minutes later Hartley again came close. A corner from Wylie was not fully cleared. George Wallace returned the ball into the area and CJ Fearns shot over the bar. A decent Row move through midfield on 36 minutes saw a pass to overlapping Ashley Akpan who saw his shot bring out an excellent save from Brown.

Just before half time Hartley reaped reward for their endeavour. A corner from Wylie was headed down by Liam Gavin and Morgan Taylor was quickest to react and scored from close range. (0-1)

Hartley were quickest out of the blocks in the second period and doubled the lead on 48 minutes. Wallace and Elijas Bagdonavicius combined well down the left and the latter’s low cross was flicked home at the near post by Jayden Smith (0-2).

The Casuals responded well and a minute later came close to scoring. Manney Morrison found Revel Powell-Downey who shot narrowly wide. Brown came to the rescue of the home side on 53 minutes. Mason Obeng showed good skill to create a chance for himself. His well struck shot saw Brown do well to parry. Smith following up shot at goal and again Brown saved well.

On 77 minutes Isaiah Blankendal took advantage of some loose play in the home defence. The young Row substitute striker rounded Brown and his well struck shot was net bound before Jordan Brooks intervened with a remarkable clearance off the goal line.

The Casuals had a spell of pressure and after a flick on by Campion, Jason Katte shot wide.

Six minutes from the end Hartley added a third.  A decent move down the left allowed Blankedal to run in on goal and he fired home a low shot to the near post. (0-3)

For Hartley a decent start in front of the new manager. The win moves the team up into 7th place in the league table.