Salisbury held off a late surge from 10-man Hartley Wintney to win 2-3 away from home and claim the maximum points.

The Whites were quick out of the blocks and took the lead on three minutes. A good break down the right involving Abdulai Baggie resulted in a dangerous cross in front of the Row goal. The ball was cleared to the left where Salisbury quickly regained possession. An incisive inside pass sent Josh Sommerton free and his cross was converted by Sam Ashton from close range (0-1) .

Sam Argent, the Row skipper, picked up an injury after five minutes and had to leave the field to be replaced by Adam Allen.

Hartley responded well and had the better share of the game. On 24 minutes Tom Leggett got free on the right and his pass into the area saw a flick from Lucias Vine, which did not have enough elevation to get over Patrick O’Flaherty in the Salisbury goal. Salisbury added a second goal on 27 minutes. Baggie was involved and the final pass found Josh Wakefield on the edge of the penalty area. The subsequent low shot found the net with Luke Williams in the Hartley goal seemingly unsighted. (0-2)

Boosted by the second goal the visitors came close on 29 minutes when a cross from Baggie was headed wide by Ashton. Hartley came into the game and on 35 minutes a spell of pressure ended with O’Flaherty making a fine save in a goalmouth scramble. The ball eventually arrived at Reece Wylie who was unlucky to see his shot from the edge of the penalty area deflected wide. The Row continued to press and a corner from Josh Webb found Matt. Drage who saw his header bring out a good save from O’Flaherty.

Hartley’s chances were all but extinguished on 40 minutes as the Whites added a third. Very loose play by the Row near the edge of their own penalty area saw Baggie gain possession. A cross into the area and Sam Ashton was on hand to convert the chance. (0-3)

A minute later it was almost a fourth goal for Salisbury as an error in defence by the Row presented Ashton with a chance for his hat trick. However the striker’s lob went just past the post.

Hartley finished the half strongly and were rewarded with a goal on 45 minutes. Lucias Vine did well to create space for a cross into the Whites penalty area from the left. The ball was not cleared and Harry Cooksley shot into the roof of the net from a tight angle. (1-3).

Salisbury controlled play at the start of the second period and on 55 minutes a cross from the elusive Baggie on the right was headed wide by Charlie Davis. Seven minutes later Baggie was again prominent when he set up Wakefield who saw his shot blocked. A difficult afternoon for the Row became even more difficult on 65 minutes. A fast break by the visitors gave Darren Mullings a chance for a clear run in on the Row goal. Harry Taylor the Row centre back pulled Mullings back and was issued a straight red card as he was the last defender.

On 88 minutes Hartley gave themselves a chance when a move down the right enabled Cooklsey to cross. Jordan Edwards got onto the cross and his parting low shot found the corner of the net. (2-3).

Hartley pressed with the introduction of Shane Hollomby into attack. However Salisbury were content to rely on fast breaks and in added time both Devon Arnold and Twamley had one on one chances. Williams in the Hartley goal came to the rescue on both occasions with good saves.

For Hartley a good spirited performance towards the end of the match with just 10 men. However the team did not reach the performance standards achieved against Poole Town and Yate Town in the two recent matches.