MEET Mr Argent and Mr Cook is an invitation, which all defenders in teams in the Combined Counties League Premier Division would gladly decline.

Sam Argent and Ross Cook score goals and they score lots of them.

In the last 16 months the twin strikers of Hartley Wintney have banged in an amazing total of 148 goals. Argent has scored 77 and Cook 71.

The exploits have helped Hartley Wintney to the top of national league goals scored with total of 70 league goals.

This is higher than any team in England, from the top of the Premiership right down to Non League Level 5 (nine steps in the FA Pyramid). If Cup matches are counted the Hartley total rises to 90 goals.

The two boys from Oakridge have known one another for some time, although their routes to Green Lane at Hartley came from different directions in the form of the two South coast rivals.

Cook learned his trade courtesy of Portsmouth and Argent with Southampton.

Cook said: “When we met up at the start of the 2015/16 season, we immediately gelled as strikers and it was evident early on that we would have some success.”

By the end of the season the pair had netted a remarkable 92 goals between them (Argent 51 and Cook 41).

The goals scored helped propel the village side to the Combined Counties Premier League title, as well as excellent runs in the FA Cup and FA Vase.

This season the pair has carried on where they have left off. In just three months the pair have scored 56 goals between them with Cook at 30 and Argent at 26.

The goals have driven the Row to a large lead at the top of the league again and in addition the village side knocked out Hampshire Senior Cup holders Havant and Waterlooville.

Argent said: “It is a team game and our quest for goals is greatly helped by playing in a team of smashing players.

“We are a close knit unit and we work hard at training with our managers and coaching staff. Dan Brownlie, Anthony Millerick and Luke Tuffs always motivate and prepare us well for every match.”

Skipper Sam Argent leads from the front. His selection as team captain was an inspirational choice as he provides a high work rate ethic as an example to the rest of his team.

He commands respect with everyone at the club and this was demonstrated at the end of last season when he picked up all of the Player of the Year award.

Ross Cook’s total may have been higher had he not been side lined at various parts of the season.

Cook said: “I believe in playing with a bit of passion.”

The referee’s in the league would not argue with that statement but probably think he plays with too much passion.

This has resulted in Cook being branded yellow cards and the odd red cards followed by the inevitable suspension.

This season has seen a vast improvement in this area, despite the fact that he is often the victim of some terrible challenges by opponents.

This improvement is reflected by the fact that Hartley are near the top of the Division fair play league for teams with the fewest yellow and red cards.

Both players are looking forward to playing in the FA Vase.

Argent said: “Last season we played Hereford at home in front of an all ticket sell out crowd. Although we lost we would like more occasions like this.”

The match attracted a lot of local interest and the 600 allocated tickets for the Hartley support were quickly sold.

Hartley’s quest for a run in the FA Vase starts with a tough home match against Melksham Town on Saturday.

The Wiltshire side are having a good season and play in the Western League.

Last season the Row played Bradford Town from the same league as Melksham in the Vase and won a good match 3-1.

They will be hoping that many of the supporters who attended the Hereford match last season will be at Green Lane on Saturday in what promises to be an exciting match.