HARTLEY Wintney reached a century of goals for the season as they beat the weather and then visiting Chertsey 5-1.

Despite a bitterly cold day the game between the Combined Counties League leaders and one of the inform teams in the division attracted a good crowd.

The Row got off to a good start with a goal of quality on five minutes.

A long ball into the Chertsey area was headed out.

It arrived at the feet of Sam Argent who looked up; and seeing Chertsey goalkeeper Chico Ramos off his line, sent a delightful lob into the net from 25 yards out.

On 13 minutes, a good run from Luke Perkins set up Argent who shot straight at Ramos.

Three minutes later, the visiting Curfews had their first effort when a free-kick from Jack Wadmore found John Pomroy who headed past the post. Hartley responded and were unlucky not to increase their lead on 19 minutes.

A move down the left saw a cross flicked on by Liam Eagle to Perkins whose shot crashed off the inside of the post and rebounded to safety.

Hartley increased their lead on 35 minutes.

Good midfield play from Steve Laidler saw a good pass to Argent who in turn set George Hallahan free inside the penalty box.

The young striker shot past the advancing Ramos for his third goal in as many games.

On 42 minutes good build up play by the Row set Perkins in with a chance but the parting shot went wide.

Hartley started the second half strongly and it took them just two minutes to increase the lead.

Good build up saw a run down the middle by Perkins.

He interchanged passes with Hallahan, before running on and firing past the outrushing Ramos.

The visitors made a spirited response and reduced the arrears on 52 minutes.

Andy Crossley took a pass from the left wing and from all of 30 yards out sent a great shot over Jake Maddock and into the net.

Any chance the Curfews had of making further inroads into the Hartley lead all but disappeared two minutes later.

Laidler made a strong challenge on Chertsey midfielder Meddie Nsubuga conceding a free kick.

Nsubuga stamped on Steve Laidler and instantly received a red card from referee William Davis.

Despite the man disadvantage Chertsey made a spirited response and on 58 minutes a dangerous cross from Crossley saw Adam New do well to clear from almost on the goal line.

On 71 minutes, good link up play between Ian Jones and Hallahan saw the former feed the ball into the path of Sam Argent who shot home from the edge of the penalty box.

The Curfews goalkeeper Ramos lost his composure and rushed into the celebrating Row players which resulted in an altercation.

Referee Davis consulted with his assistant and the Chertsey goalkeeper was fortunate to receive just a yellow card.

On 80 minutes, Laidler set up Argent whose shot went past the post. However, the striker was not to be denied his hat-trick.

Again Laidler was the provider and Argent fired in a fierce shot from 25 yards which left Ramos with no chance.

The goal brought up a milestone being the 100th league goal of the season.

The final stages of the game saw the players finding difficulty in keeping their feet on the rapidly freezing pitch.

Chertsey had a chance on 85 minutes when good play from Connor Callum set up Conner Young who shot wide.

The last action saw Perkins set Steven Duff up with a chance but the substitutes shot was comfortably saved by Ramos.

A good performance by both teams on a difficult frozen pitch, so Hartley’s relentless march towards back-to-back championships continue with the lead now at 21 points.

After the game, joint manager Daniel Brownlie said: "It was a very good win. The league would have been watching out for the result, partly because no other games were on, but more so because Chertsey had been picking up points in recent weeks so it was seen as a bit of a banana skin for us.

"Credit to our boys who prepared for the game well and put on a real display to earn the three points. There was a ten minute patch where they applied continuous pressure but we managed to maintain our composure."

He added: "We're scoring plenty of goals from all over the park and because of that there is a real confidence in our ability to win games, especially when you have Sam Argent up there.

"His first and last were spectacular. We're currently doing ground improvements and we can add a new stanchion to that list! It's not even that he's 'in form', it's just what he does."

Next for Hartley is a a home game against AFC Totton in the Hampshire Senior Cup quarter-final on Tuesday night.