Chesham United claimed maximum points against Hartley Wintney with a 4-2 victory, thanks to a hat trick from Bradley Clayton.

With goalkeeper Luke Williams unavailable; Sam Freeman came in for his first start of the season.

Starting with a strong wind in their favour, Hartley almost scored in the first minute when Sam Argent found Mitch Parker behind the Generals defence. Parker could not quite adjust properly and his lob went wide of the goal. However, the same pair were to combine on six minutes and give the Row the lead. A free kick on the right from Parker was head-flicked on and into the net by Sam Argent. (0-1)

Chesham responded well and on 12 minutes a long free kick into the Hartley area was headed on by Mark Kirby. This led to a scramble which the Row managed to clear. Two minutes later Lewis Rolfe for the Generals tried a fierce shot from distance which Sam Freeman in the Row goal managed to parry to safety.

On 16 minutes Hartley almost doubled their lead. A corner on the left by Josh Webb found the head of Jacques Kpohomouh who was unlucky to see his effort hit the crossbar. Then a long run from Kingsley Eshun ended when his parting shot went just past the post.

The home side were making good progress against the wind and on 29 minutes should have equalised. A slick move saw T’Sharne Gallimore cross from the right. The ball found the head of Kyllan Koussi who somehow headed wide from 6 yards out.

Chesham were trying some shots from distance which were held by Freeman in the Row goal. On 40 minutes a left wing cross gave Allson Ferriera Da Paiva an opening and his effort brought out a good save from Freeman.

Chesham finally pulled level on 43 minutes. A well-worked move gave Bradely Clayton a shooting opportunity from the edge of the penalty area and he curled his shot around Freeman (1-1)

In the second half, the Generals quickly made good use of the wind advantage and the Hartley goal was soon under pressure. A good move down the right on 47 minutes gave Karl Ollyide a chance and his shot was deflected wide. After 56 minutes the Row had a scare when a short back pass was intercepted by Ollyide. Freeman rushed from his goal and made an excellent save diving at the wingers feet. The pressure finally told two minutes later with the same two players involved. Ollyide got free in the Row area and Freeman pulled the Generals player down. Referee Jack Bloxham immediately pointed to the penalty spot. Clayton took the kick and sent Freeman the wrong way to score. (2-1)

Hartley responded well and equalised four minutes later. A long free kick on the left saw Row substitute Harry Taylor head down. There was an almighty scramble on the goal line and the ball finished up in the net seemingly off a Chesham player. (2-2).

Two minutes later the Generals almost went ahead and only a timely clearance by Ryan Case under pressure kept the ball out. Hartley had a rare attack on 66 minutes and Reece Wylie had a shot from distance which was saved by a well-positioned Samuel Beasant in the Chesham goal.

The home side continued to apply virtually all the pressure and on 72 minutes a free kick from Rolfe led to a scramble in the Row area which they just managed to keep out. Two minutes later Ollyide got free and his shot took a deflection and went wide. The Row defence was working overtime and on 77 minutes Zak Joseph brought out a good save from Freeman. Chesham pressure finally told on 80 minutes. A ball to the left found Zak Joseph with room coming in from the left and he curled an accurate shot into the top of the net leaving Freeman no chance (3-2).

Hartley responded well and on 84 minutes a free kick from Webb found Taylor who saw his header go just over. Into added time and the Generals added a fourth. Two home players took the ball to the corner to run the clock down. However in trying to gain possession the Row allowed Deese Kasinga to escape and run along the goal line before he was hauled down and a second penalty kick was awarded. Clayton again took the kick and scored comfortably to complete his hat trick (4-2)

There was still time for Hartley to mount one last attack and Reece Robins created a chance before seeing his parting shot saved by Beasant.