HARTLEY Wintney’s efforts to reach the semi-finals of the Hampshire Senior Cup were thwarted when the match was abandoned at half-time with them leading 1-0.

Referee James Robinson decided that the frozen pitch was fit to start the match and advised that a review would be taken at half-time.

Hartley were quickly on their skates and could have been three goals up in the first six minutes.

First good play down the right by Dean Stow saw his cross dummied by Dec Shuttleworth leaving a shot for Sam Argent whose effort hit the post. A minute later a quick break saw Luke Perkins in for a one-on-one with goalkeeper Charlie Searle.

The wingers shot was dragged wide of the post. In another minute good play down the right by Stow led to a fierce shot from Louie Paget which was pushed over the bar by Searle.

The onslaught continued and on 19 minutes the Row got the breakthrough. A corner on the right from Stow was pushed clear by Searle.

The ball arrived at Adam New who hit a shot over his shoulder which went over the stranded visitor's goalkeeper.

On 27 minutes Hartley almost doubled their advantage. Stow and Perkins linked up well down the left and a high looping cross was taken on the volley by Sam Argent whose shot went straight to Searle.

The visitors first effort arrived on 33 minutes, when Alfie Whittingham made good progress down the right. The cross found Neil Williams who shot well over.

On 44 minutes Stow set up a chance for Argent but the striker's effort went past the post.

At half-time referee Robinson called the captains together and after a short discussion abandoned the match with the conditions deteriorating.

Joint manager Daniel Brownlie said: "Whilst the pitch was hard, both teams were playing good football on it. It was the way in which it was called off that disappointed me, it was no worse at half time than it was 20 minutes into the game, so if he felt the need to call it off, it should have been done then.

"We can take some positives out of the game though, we can make a couple of tweaks that we think will benefit our game and play with a little more confidence next time."

Next up for Combined Counties League Premier Division leaders Hartley is a trip to Bedfont and Feltham.

Looking ahead to the game Brownlie said: "Bedfont and Feltham are one of the few teams to have taken three points off us this season, so for that alone I am sure that the boys will be fired up.

"We expect them to try and sit deep in an attempt to frustrate us, although that may well suit us currently with the types of goals that we've been scoring.

He added: "We have many different routes to find the three points, we know we have the toolkit to do so it's now on the boys and how they approach the game. I am confident in saying that they'll be ready."