SAM Argent claimed the match-ball as Hartley Wintney brushed aside struggling Alton Town yesterday afternoon.

The village side had lost 4-2 at home to Cove two days earlier but bounced back in fine style to move up to seventh in the Combined Counties League Premier Division table.

A Jack Coventry corner was met by Shane Hollamby to open the scoring and Hartley led by two at the break as Hollamby turned provider for Argent.

Alton pulled a goal back in the second half, but the village side did not allow them back into the game.

Argent laid on the chance for Luke Walker to make it 3-1 before scoring twice more himself in the closing stages to complete his hat-trick, with the final goal created by Mark Vockins.

Hartley have three games in the space of six days coming up. They travel to Molesey on Thursday before hosting Colliers Wood United on Saturday and visiting bottom side Chessington and Hook United next Tuesday.