IT WAS another red letter day for Hartley Wintney Football Club, as they won on their debut in the Southern League Division One East, the highest level the club has ever played at.

The game against visiting Northwood got off to a dream start as it took just 56 seconds for Hartley to show real quality and take the lead.

Dean Stow made good progress down the right flank and sent over an accurate cross to Sam Argent.

The striker chested down straight into the path of Paul Hodges, who scored  with a stunning volley from just inside the box.

Northwood responded and on seven minutes a long throw found Lewis Hobbs in the penalty box. The midfielder was unable to keep his shot down.

On 16 minutes Paul Hodges went on a long run from midfield and his parting shot was just  past the post.

Hartley almost increased the lead on 31 minutes when a cross  from Stow found the head of Adam Everiss who brought out a good save from Harry Voss in the Northwood goal.

The Row continued to create chances and on 35 minutes a good cross from Ben Greenwood was headed just over by Sam Argent.

However, the second goal was delayed by just four minutes. Hodges did well to create space on the right side of the penalty box and his low cross found Stow, who in turn found Argent who fired home from 10 yards.

On 44 minutes Northwood had a chance when loose play in midfield by the Row allowed a chance to Harry Newman who shot wide.

Northwood came more into the game after the break, but it was Hartley who almost scored a third on 51 minutes.

Good link up play between Hodges and Everiss, allowed a chance for Argent who shot over.

The visitors had a period of possession but were unable to fashion a chance.

However on 63 minutes, Meshaach Williams and Antonio Walker combined to present a chance to Tayshanhay Haden-Williams who fired over from the edge of the box.

The Row had a good chance to seal the game on 71 minutes when Hodges sent Jack French through but the substitute shot wide.

On 83 minutes, Hartley were awarded a free-kick some 25 yards out and Stow was unlucky to see his effort crash back off the post.

Almost immediately Meshach Williams found Michael Osei well placed for the visitors but the winger shot wide.

A minute later Hartley had a real let off when a cross from Harry Newman found full back Pat Kelly at the back post and the header crashed off the post.

The Row had chances in the final two minutes. First French set up Hodges whose shot from the edge of the box brought out a good save from Voss.

Then French was again the provider to James Tennant who was unlucky to see his effort go just past the post.

After the game joint manager Anthony Millerick said: “I believe this is a new era for the club. Over the past few seasons we have seen great forward play from Sam Argent and Ross Cook. We may well see a similar partnership develop between Sam Argent and Paul Hodges.

“We were very pleased with the performances of the new players. I thought in the second half we were dogged and gritty which is what we needed to be against a useful Northwood side. However at times we looked a bit tentative.

He added: “However we must be satisfied. It was a good debut to the league with a clean sheet and two good goals. We believe there is a lot more to come from our team.”

Hartley are on their travels tomorrow in their next league encounter at Beaconsfield, who were 4-1 winners at Aylesbury yesterday.