Harpenden Town brushed aside Broxbourne Borough to win 4-2 at Rothampstead Park with two goals from Jimmy Hartley on Saturday.

Hartley gave the home side the lead in the sixth minute with a brilliant curling free kick into the top right hand corner.

Broxbourne, who went into the game fourth in South Midlands Division One, responded in the 27th minute as Samir Aalit fired the ball under Sam Taylor. But four minutes before the break, Jimmy Warner pulled the ball back to Hartley, who doubled his tally with a half volley into the top corner for his fifth goal in four games.

The visitors were awarded a penalty after Adam Murad had been brought down in the area. But Lere Brennan’s spot-kick was superbly saved by Taylor.

Broxbourne were punished when Jamil Harvey raced through on goal and curled the ball into the net to put the hosts 3-1 up just before the hour mark.

Matty Thompson netted for Broxbourne but his goal was only a consolation as Warner powerfully headed in from a Hartley corner.

The visitors finished with ten men after Bradley Harrison was sent off late on following an exchange of words with the referee.

Harpenden manager Danny Plumb said: “We played a lot better today helped by consistency of selection with more players available. The youngsters like Tom Marino and Jake Collins did well so the future is bright.”

The side travel to league leaders Welwyn Garden City on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Harpenden captain Jack Cartwright has been voted the club’s player of the month.

Plumb said: “Every week Jack has led the team by example. He is always consistent and is well respected by the players.

“He has also forged a strong relationship with with the young players who he has coached and nurtured through from the reserves.”