HARTLEY Wintney maintained their 13 point lead at the top of the Combined Counties Premier League, after an excellent 7-0 victory against an in form and high scoring visiting North Greenford United side.

The home side started brightly and took the lead on seven minutes. Dean Stow made good progress down the right wing and his cross found Sam Argent. The striker took a touch before smashing the ball into the net.

Three minutes later, Argent and Ross Cook combined to set Ian Jones free through the middle.

The midfielders strong shot was saved by James Harry in the Greenford goal.

The Row had several chances to increase the lead. First on 12 minutes as a cross from Steven Duff found Ross Cook who shot past the post from 18 yards.

Six minutes later, Luke Perkins was on the end of a slick move and his shot brought out a save from James Harry.

On 23 minutes Perkins was again out of luck as his looping header was parried onto the bar by Harry.

North Greenford had a good spell in the middle of the first half and Jake Maddock was called into action with identical saves in the 28th and 34th minutes.

In each case winger Sandro Costa cut in from the left and fired low shots from just outside the box.

In both cases the young Row custodian saved at full stretch at the post. As half time approached Ross Cook fashioned a chance and seen his effort pushed around the post by Harry.

Hartley Wintney opened the second half by playing some sublime football and quickly overwhelmed the visitors.

Four goals were scored in a seven minute period.

In the 47th minute a Steven Duff corner was cleared back out to the winger. His in swinging cross was misjudged by goalkeeper Harry, who could only palm the ball into the net.

Two minutes later, clever hold up play by Argent saw him feed a well timed pass into the path of Cook who ran on and scored easily.

In another two minutes it was 4-0, Luke Perkins sent in a cross from the right and Steven Duff volleyed in a spectacular goal from the edge of the box.

On 54 minutes Hartley added a fifth. Luke Perkins long pass found Ross Cook running through the middle and the Row striker clipped the ball past the outrushing James Harry.

(5-0).

Several of the visitors team lost their composure and referee Peter Georgiou did well to keep control after brandishing a few yellow cards.

On 63 minutes, goal number six arrived. A long free-kick from Liam Eagle saw a powerful header by Steve Noakes.

This produced an excellent stop by Harry, but Argent following up scored easily. Hartley continued to dominate and Harry produced two good saves to keep the score down.

First he was well positioned to save from Luke Perkins after a long run by the winger on 65 minutes.

Then on 79 minutes the busy goalkeeper was called into action again after good interplay between Sam Argent and Ross Cook saving from the former.

On 82 minutes, Steve Laidler did well to battle and win tackles in midfield. He fed Argent who set Cook free and the striker made no mistake to complete his hat-trick.

Joint manager Daniel Brownlie said: "It was a superb reaction from out midweek disappointment.

"The performance levels were our main focus, we knew that if we played anywhere near our best that we would have a very good chance of winning the game. Although I'm not sure even we expected to achieve it in such an emphatic nature.

He added: "Some of the goals were superb; we told Duffers (Steven Duff) just after his first goal that he wasn't allowed to claim it as it was a 'keepers error.

"Five minutes later he struck arguably our best goal of the season, what a strike it was. He took great pleasure in telling us that he was claiming that one."

Looking ahead to Hartley second round tie in the Vase at home to Melksham Town, Brownlie said: "We are taking the Vase very seriously, we did well last season but we want to go further this year. The club deserve memorable days, hopefully we can provide some."