Oxford City got their new year off to a perfect start with an impressive victory against their British Gas Business Southern League Premier Division rivals at Court Place Farm on Saturday.

The match had been in doubt due to a heavy frost, but referee Adrian Quelch gave the go-ahead after a pitch inspection.

Michael Lyon went close to opening City’s account, before teammate James Faulkner then burst through only to miscue.

For Banbury, Nicky Gordon fizzed a shot wide, before City’s former Banbury midfielder Darren Pond was denied by Joe Murrell.

Another of City’s ex-Banbury contingent, Andy Baird, headed wide as City kept up the pressure.

And it paid off a minute into the second half when Faulkner smashed home Lyon’s cross.

Gordon and Aaron Stringfellow went close for Banbury, but on the hour, Pond doubled City’s lead from another Lyon cross.

City sealed victory when Lyon fired home from a narrow angle to lift Justin Merritt’s side to 16th and leave Banbury seeking their first away win of the season.

Oxford C: Harrison, Lambert, Ballard, Gunn, Pond, Savage, Lyon, Faulconbridge (Malone 57), Faulkner, Baird, Brooks. Subs not used: Davis, Robinson, Rendell, Carbon.

Banbury Utd: Murrell, Abassi, Kinch, Essex, Bennett, Redknap, Bridges, Haisley, Forinton, Gordon (Groves 54), Stringfellow (Howkins 67). Subs not used: Buckwell, Peppiatt, Reeves.

Attendance: 444.

Didcot Town’s Division 1 South & West match at Cinderford and Abingdon United’s trip to Bishops Cleeve were both frozen off.