ABINGDON Town kicked off the North Berks League’s annual Groundhop Weekend with a 1-0 win at Wallingford Town in Division 1 on Friday night, writes PHIL ANNETS.

Steve Pitson struck to maintain Abingdon’s perfect start to the season in front of 125 spectators.

On Saturday, 204 saw East Hendred and Long Wittenham Athletic share not only the points but also the James Rennie Memorial Trophy as they drew 1-1.

Joe Cheong scored the opener for Wittenham, with Tom Rowe replying for Hendred in the second half.

A Charlie Allsop double was enough to sink Crowmarsh Gifford as they were beaten 2-1 at Kintbury Rangers, despite a goal from Scott Gesner for the visitors.

Drayton opened their league campaign in stunning fashion with a 6-1 home win over Faringdon Town.

Ashley Seamark grabbed a hattrick, Ryan Seamark bagged two goals and Danny Curran scored Drayton’s sixth.

Richard Evans hit the consolation for Faringdon.

Charlie Lee struck twice for Dorchester, but they lost 3-2 at home to Lambourn Sports, who scored through Jonny James, Terry Wood and an own goal.

Hanney United won 4-2 at home to Marcham in Division 2.

Tom Larman and Damien Dodds had twice given Marcham the lead, only for James Bishop to cancel both out for Hanney.

Matt Woodside bundled home twice in the second half to give the hosts victory.

Goals from Conor and Alex Blayachi were scant consolation for Watlington Town as they were thumped 8-2 at early pacesetters Turnpike Sports.

Gary Dredge hit a hat-trick for the hosts alongside goals for Ashley Beckett (2), Kyle Sargeant, Terry Amor and Chris Maja.

Steventon won 4-1 at home to Kintbury Rangers Res, thanks to a Jamie Speer double and Shane Butler and Andy Cooper goals.

Nigel Head replied for Kintbury.

Stanford in the Vale won 3-2 at Faringdon Town Res courtesy of a Taylor Gill brace and Jamie Tuck goal.

Chris Benson and Dan Oyston scored for the home side, but could not prevent a second straight defeat.

In Division 3, Grove Rangers beat Benson Lions 4-1.

Rangers stormed into a 4-0 lead in 25 minutes, thanks to a Matt Cramp brace and efforts from Andy Pickering and Jonny Dix.

Substitute John Radcliffe grabbed a late consolation for Lions.

Alex Kerry scored twice as Dorchester Reserves made it three successive wins with a 2-1 victory at Compton.

Liam Murray found the net for the hosts.

Jamie Gregory hit four goals as Stanford in theVale Reserves went top of Division 4 after a thumping 6-1 win over Drayton Reserves.

Luke Wilkins and Tyrone Mayall also scored for the home side, with Raymond Patrick notching for the visitors.

OTHER SCORERS

Div 2: Sutton Courtenay 4, Burghclere 3 (A Smith 2, C Angell).

Div 3: Newbury Res 7 (J Appleby 3, T Grey, S Bowers, A Bulloch, B Thurston), Union St 2 (J Cunning, A Pratchett); Uffington Utd 0, Hungerford Tn Swifts 3 (S Rolfe, A Maycock, J Daniel).

Div 4: Abingdon Tn Res 4 (A Waclawek 4), Faringdon Tn A 0; Lambourn Res 1 (S Crayton), Long Wittenham Res 1 (N Townsend).

Div 5: Burghclere Res 4 (D O’Hagan 2, J Lawrence, M Fidler), Sutton Courtenay Res 3 (J Dingwall 2, L Hutton); Hanney 66 Club 3 (A Alder, M Bishop, P Robinson), Steventon Res 3 (D Lovatt, D Cannon, A Hall); Wallingford Tn A 0, Hungerford Tn Swifts Res 13 (J Way 4, D Harris 4, A Tellwright 3, R Pocock, G Harris); Watlington Tn Res 1 (M Newbold), Uffington Utd Res 4 (P Fletcher, D Mastalerz, E Thomas).

AG Kingham Cup: Berinsfield Res 1 (T Beechers), N Oxford Res 4 (C Stevens 2, P Kovacs, A Pantry); Marcham Res 2 (M Bloomfield, L Jackson), Wallingford Tn Res 4 (S Gair 2, J Webber, G Clark).