Smudge Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 What a cracking day out this turned into for yours truly, after meeting my Chauffeur for the Day (TRS)at Dorking Railway station,we embarked on a journey through the Surrey/Hampshire Countryside,no M25/M3 which would be the normal route for most.Cyclists and slow moving Car drivers were the order of the day round the twisting narrow lanes that ensued,the normally mild mannered TRS,let off a few expletives in their direction (SHOCKED).The funny bit was when we were no more than 3 miles away from the ground TRS reverted to the tried and tested satnav,as he was unsure of the route to take to the ground AMAZING. The ground has changed little since my last visit,neat tidy,decent playing surface and will need some work done to get the Grading for Step 4,turnstiles are on the way I was told.The day was made better by the arrival of Green Fingers,resplendent in his long grey below knee shorts,and his customary smile,all that was needed now was the arrival of Duncs to make up the 4 Amigos,but alas after scouring the ground he could not be found,probably gone AWOL. The Car Park was filling up nicely,there were large numbers waiting to get in, cash in hand,£6 entrance,£3 O.APs as TRS COMMENTED, Cheap as chips. Then it was the highlight of the day for me to meet Hartley Row once again,he had put on a few pounds and I dont remember him wearing glasses back in the day,but he was still his chirpy ebullient good looking self,he could not stop for a long chat though as he was about to announce the teams on the tannoy,one of the many tasks a Chairman of a Non League Club has to do,on matchdays. The players then took to the pitch led out by the youngest looking Referee I have ever seen in all my years watching Non League Football,which I Commented on 'could be a recipe for disaster' as regards the game.How wrong was I,to say he was the BEST WOULD BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT, He had it all, Cool,Calm,Collected and Concise,in every decision he made,capably aided by 2 good Assistants.Both teams/benches played their part also in the manner they conducted themselves also First Class Chaps. The game itself was a Cracker,Great saves,numerous misses,in fact Hartley could of been out of sight inside 15 minutes,when they were playing a high pressing game,Fleet had no answer to the pace/trickery of the Hartley forwards,and 2 amazing saves by the Fleet stopper.Although Hartley led 1-0 at Half-Time thanks to a well taken penalty by Cook.The second half Fleet found there feet and were winning more midfield battles which told in the end,when they equalised.Hartleys keeper made a great close range save late on,to keep Hartley in the Tie. Better was to come for me and TRS,a chat with Luke Tuffs highly respected in such a short time for the great coaching he is giving to the 1st Team and U/18's. Myself being allowed into the Boardroom to Congratulate the Officials on an excellent afternoons performance,Hartley Row buying me a pint as promised and TRS his customary coke.Elaine serving up a plate of sandwiches on the veranda,Chelsea are not the only ones who serve up Prawns you know,they do it in style at Hartley Wintney also.Hartley Row and Elaine putting a face to a name as regards TRS. Elaine putting the kit into the Car,presumably to take it home to wash for the Replay,all part and parcel of what Non League life is all about.TOP CLASS PEOPLE, ALL OF THE PEOPLE I SPOKE TO TODAY,TRUE NON LEAGUE FRIENDS. Thanks for such a wonderful Day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hartley Row Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 Such eloquence Smudge. Good to see you again and a pleasure to meet TRS! As you said good to see Alan again, like you been too long. As for my description older,fatter and just as ugly. Alas always had rage specs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRS Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 Thanks for your company Smudge, GF too. As you say it was a top day at a top club! Great to meet Hartley Row and his good lady and thanks for the hospitality, good luck for the replay! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big J R Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 Nice to see more and more CCL supporters/posters meeting up and having a great time. Who knows - Next season ??????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncs Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 Hartley won 4 0,well done lads good luck in the next round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnojudo Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 I saw the Ccl prem potential winners tonight smash Fleet town. I'd be very surprised if Ashford or Hanworth Villa can match the fire power Hartley have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Clapham Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 Well done HWFC - Enjoy Merthyr Going up Friday? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1Brunty. Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 Thought id go catch a game or the first time in while. Good to see Hartley doing so well. Front 3 are dangerous especially Cook, Joe Paris played well in CM, Haven't seen other teams but keep them front 3 fit and available and no doubt HW will take some stopping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Dillon Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 hello everyone just reading the conversations and thought id join. As the man who built the Hartley side over the last 4 years I know them inside out. your right we have a great chance this year. the key for me is keeping Argent, Cooky and most definitely centre half Shane Hollomby fit. Shane is a rock at the back and with Cooky and Argent banging in the goals I cant see them losing many games. Dills Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millers Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 Thank you everyone for the positive thoughts and attendance at the games. Thought we completely deserved it over the two legs and obviously ecstatic to be in the next round. Having created numerous chances and preventing Fleet from really carving out a real opening on Saturday we were confident going into last night. At times we were a little too deep on Saturday which allowed Fleet to win territorial ground which in turn built pressure with set pieces and long throws etc. Their goal came from a combination of that and the youngster hitting a worldy. Last night was a fantastic performance - many of whom were walking wounded. We showed everything required to achieve such a result, grit and discipline at the back. A midfield that was organised, determined and creative. What can be said about the deadly duo up front, a constant threat..... A real team performance. On a less positive note their managers thoughts on step 5 football is extremely disappointing and disrespectful. Some really good people at fleet and a club that I love but I find his interview in very poor taste which is why I find the need to highlight it on here. https://audioboom.com/boos/3578192-davo-v-hartley-replay Back to league action on Saturday and I might remind people it's very very early days. We might have started well but we are still a work in progress. And Johno.......add Camberley into that list - with their existing player group, experience....and that their style of football suits the winter months, would be stupid to write them off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRS Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 What I thought was the most bizarre bit of that interview was the bit about the fans. He praised the Hartley fans and then complained that a long standing Fleet fan was joking with an ex-Fleet player (presumably playing for Hartley) and said he was disappointed and would speak to him later! What's he planning to do, drop him from the next game? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncs Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 Sometimes you are better off not saying anything and i think this is one of those times,4 0 at home is a drubbing in anyones eyes,well done Millers and everyone at Hartley enjoy the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krooner Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Sadly the Fleet manager lets himself down a lot with his thoughts on games. He has done a great job at Fleet with what he has and doesn't need to constantly make excuses when they lose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VPCTFC Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 On a less positive note their managers thoughts on step 5 football is extremely disappointing and disrespectful. Nothing new there - this is what they put on their official website in 2012 before they were given a reprieve from relegation - "It’s a strange feeling knowing that you will be playing in a lower division next season, against teams that we have subconsciously looked down on and visiting grounds that are not a lot better than some public parks, but that’s the reality of where we may well be come August." http://web.archive.org/web/20130417123235/http://www.fleettownfc.co.uk/news.php?id=2326&type=5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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