The game started off brilliantly for The Deans, taking the lead after three minutes. The captain, Brandon Chebby, cut in off the right wing hitting the post with a great effort, ultimately leaving an open goal for Ryan Carroll to tap it in. 1-0 to Horndean

Jake Flannigan picked up a yellow card after contesting a crunching challenge from Hartley Wintney’s Harry Grant, which much of the crowd thought could have been a straight red for the number six. This resulted in both players being carded in the ninth minute.

Horndean were dominant in the opening 15 minutes, not letting the opposition past the half-way line. Ryan Carroll had another shot on target from the left side of the box in the 11th minute which was smothered by the keeper.

Hartley Wintney pulled one back in the 17th minute, a passing counter-attack move after a Horndean corner, a left-footed shot from the near side of the box from George Wallace slotted into the bottom right corner. 1-1.

Hartley Wintney’s number four, Aaron Burchett saw a yellow card in the 25th minute after clattering into Myles Bowman from a corner.

George Wallace was to be a pain in the side for Horndean again, this time whipping a ball in from the left wing at the far post for Jack Penton to head in the back of the net in the 39th minute. 2-1 to Hartley Wintney

Horndean had a couple of opportunities to equalise before half time, Chebby had a square ball headed to him from Harry Medway which went over the bar. Carroll also had a volley which went wide in the 45th

Half time: 1-2

It was a cagey start to the second half for both teams, Carroll had a free kick which hit the wall in the 47th minute. Hartley Wintney’s Calvin Camara had a shot that was easily stopped by Bowman in the 56th.

Horndean made a couple of substitutions, Zac Cahusac and Leon Baker-Neto replaced by Tommy Whitehead and Oliver Erdinc

Horndean had a massive chance to level in the 73rd minute, a scramble in Hartley Wintney’s penalty area saw one of the opposition’s defender’s smash the ball straight into Ewan Lynch’s leg, the ball just inches wide of the post

Another couple of subs made in the last 15 minutes saw Henry Yates and new signing Henry Mcdonald replacing Mikey Oconnell and Jake Flannigan

90th minute drama, Horndean level the scoring. Great hold-up play from Chebby down the left, makes a marauding run into the box, squares the ball into Lynch who does well to put it home. Making it three goals in as many games for the striker. 2-2

Hartley Wintney had a chance to snatch all three points right at the death, the ball was played into number 11 Jose Sani who saw his effort go over the bar.

Full time, 2-2. A real hard-fought draw for The Deans. Man of the match went to defender Matt Kellett-Smith who was outstanding in the air, winning what seemed like every aerial duel.