Mark Bell struck a hat-trick as Banbury United destroyed hapless Wantage Town 8-1 at home in Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West on Saturday.

Substitute Leam Howards bagged a quickfire double and there were also goals for Zac McEachran, George Nash and Ricky Johnson.

Aaron Ferris netted the away side’s consolation.

Striker Jimmy Deabill could have put Wantage in front just before the half-hour, but his header was held by goalkeeper Jack Harding.

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Banbury opened the scoring in the tenth minute when Bell’s scuffed shot from the edge of the area bobbled in.

The hosts thought they had doubled the lead when James Glover fired into his own net – but it was ruled out because of a push on Glover by Andy Gunn.

They had to wait until the 40th minute to make it 2-0.

Moments after being denied by keeper Eddie Cavanagh’s reflex save, Bell drilled a low free-kick into the bottom corner.

He was then inches away from a hat-trick, striking the base of a post with a ferocious strike.

Oxford United loanee Miles Welch-Hayes tapped in the rebound but was ruled offside.

The winger was involved again in Banbury’s third goal just before the break, crossing for the unmarked McEachran to tap in.

The second half was less than a minute old when the unmarked Nash blasted home the fourth, unleashing an unstoppable effort.

Ferris pulled one back for the Alfredians in the 58th minute, swerving through several challenges before firing home left-footed.

But that proved to be just a short respite for the visitors, with substitute Howards turning and shooting into the roof of the net shortly after his introduction to resume Banbury’s chokehold.

Just a minute later, Howards struck again, latching onto a cheeky backheel from Darius Browne before slipping the ball home.

Johnson made it seven soon afterwards, bringing it down coolly on his chest before tapping in from close range.

Fittingly, the final say was Bell’s, who completed his hat-trick with a delightful curling effort from the right flank which evaded the despairing grasp of Cavanagh.

It completed a thoroughly miserable afternoon for the visitors, who sit perilously close to the drop zone.

Banbury Utd: Harding, White, Welch-Hayes, Nash, Wise (Westbrook 65), Gunn, Bell, Stanbridge, Johnson, McEachran (Howards 64), Browne (Kalakoutis 79). Subs not used: Blackstock, Martin.

Wantage Tn: Cavanagh, Elliott, Hulbert-Thomas, Glover, Collier, Carbon (McGlynn 21) Ferris, Barder, Deabill (Barton 65), B Whitehead, Thorne. Subs not used: H Whitehead, Leigh, Cattell.

Attendance: 316.