HARTLEY Wintney progressed to the Fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup after coming from behind to win against Barking FC.

This is only the second time in the club's 123-year history that the club have reached this stage of the prestigious competition.

The match started with both sides looking decidedly jittery defensively. The East London side held a distinct edge and on 6 minutes David Fallah and Isaac Westendorf combined well before the latter’s shot was blocked. The Blues continued with the pressure and after a long throw Giovanni Palmer saw a powerful shot well saved by Luke Williams in the Row goal.

Barking looked the more incisive going forward and went ahead on 19 minutes. Some loose play by the Row in midfield enabled a quick break and Westendorf was set free through the middle. The striker showed composure in rounding Williams and shooting home from a tight angle. (0-1)

Hartley responded well and came into the game but without creating a clear cut chance. The Blues came close after forcing a series of corners and long throws. The corners delivered by Max Bradford provided a real threat.

On 42 minutes Tom Bird recued the Row clearing off the goal line following a long throw from the left.

The half ended with the Blues on top and could have been further ahead.

If the first half belonged to Barking the second period was a completely different story.

It appeared that the Row team were responding to a pep talk from manager Anthony Millerick ringing in their ears. An early free kick from Ty Smith brought out a save from Emmanuel Agboola in the Blues goal. Row continued to press and were rewarded with an equaliser on 49 minutes. A Ty Smith corner saw an unfortunate defender head the ball into his own goal (1-1).

Roared on the Hartley’s biggest crowd of the season the Row went ahead a minute later. A corner on the right provided problems for Barking and Lukas Birt poked the ball into the net from close range. (2-1)

Things got even better for Hartley on 60 minutes. Kingsley Eshun made a surging run down the left wing and his low cross was converted by Sam Argent at the near post. (3-1)

On 59 minutes a good move down the left for the Row set up Dom Griffiths and the midfielders rasping drive went just over. Two minutes later a good cross from Nathan Smart on the right found Sam Argent who headed well over. Argent had another effort two minutes later with a header from a Bird corner.

Barking had a chance to reduce the arrears on 78 minutes when Westendorf got free down the middle. Luke Williams did well to thwart the striker in a one on one situation. On 85 minutes with Barking throwing caution to the wind Louis Dillon saw his powerful shot saved by Williams. The last action saw an incisive move by the Row resulting in Dean Stow shooting wide.

The final whistle brought much joy for the Row. However Barking looked anything like a side that is languishing at the bottom of their Division. Their cup form has been impressive and we imagine if this is replicated in the league they will soon be moving up their Division.

A feature of this match was the large number of corners. Hartley received 11 and Barking 10, making 21 in total.