SAXTON Rovers’ poor start was compounded when they were subjected to a 7-0 thumping at the hands of North Berks League Division 1 leaders Berinsfield, writes RICHARD UNDERWOOD.

The home side maintained their 100 per cent record and extended their lead to eight points, while Rovers remain rooted at the bottom without a win.

David Murphy netted a hat-trick for Berinsfield and Luke Saunders scored twice, with Charlie Lee and Max Palmer also getting in on the act.

Long Wittenham Athletic missed the chance to go second as they were beaten 1-0 at home to Wallingford Town, courtesy of a Will Clements effort.

In Division 2, unbeaten North Oxford put the pressure on leaders Hungerford Town Swifts, with a 3-2 win at Sutton Courtenay.

Steve Andrews bagged two and Jack Hinkin also struck to condemn the hosts to a fourth defeat in as many games, despite goals from Kieron Kerby and Daniel Cadman.

Dave Johns and Jon Green both notched as third-placed Steventon won 2-0 at home to Hanney United.

Westminster were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Harwell Village, with Harry Ackland’s goal for the hosts cancelled out by a Paul Powell effort.

Benson Lions are looking up in Division 3, after a 5-1 humbling of second-placed Ardington & Lockinge.

Phil Goss netted twice for the visitors, with Luke Vincent, Mike Gardener and Luke Willis scoring the other goals.

Jamie Gregory grabbed Ardington’s consolation.

Saxton Rovers Res made it four wins in succession, with a 5-0 thrashing of visitors Highworth Town Development.

Russell Comley and Liam Smith netted twice each and Carl Archer was also on target.

Division 3 strugglers Uffington United booked their place in the second round of the North Berks Cup following a 3-1 away win over Marcham.

David Yallop scored for the hosts. But Bryn Thomas, Joshua Jefferies and Sean Rose were on target to give Uffington just their second win in all competitions.

OTHER SCORERS

Div 1: East Hendred 2 (N Cheshire, L Eltham), Lambourn Spts 3 (A Maycock, E Annetts, og); Stanford in the Vale 2 (J Tuck, D Griffin), Kintbury Rgrs 3 (T Bridges, S Mulvey, B Pagliaroll).

Div 4: Dorchester Res 2 (A Kerry, J Lyne), Berinsfield Res 0; Lambourn Spts Res 1 (R Hicks), Drayton 0.

Div 5: Didcot Eagles 3 (D Osbourne, G Smith, J Austin), Sutton Courtenay Res 3 (W Wright 2, M Fenton); Grove Rgrs Res 2 (L Alder, M Hammond), Coleshill Utd Res 1 (T Youldan); Hanney 66 2 (C Helm, L Ulyatt), Steventon Res 0; Uffington Utd Res 2 (D Reed, J Bunting), Faringdon Tn A 3 (N Wojick, J Green, P Saunders); Wallingford Tn A 2 (A Ferrer-Bonsoms, C Allum), Marcham Res 1 (A Gerring).

North Berks Cup: Compton 2 (J Fisher, J Baker), Grove Rgrs 1 (A Day).

Nairne Paul Cup: Burghclere Res 3 (J Stockwell, J Lawrence, B Kirkham), Wallingford Tn Res 2 (C Silkstone 2); Kintbury Rgrs Res 3 (L Connor, O Webster, J Shearsby), Long Wittenham Ath Res 0.

War Memorial Cup: Hagbourne Utd 3 (D Lovegrove 3), Blewbury 4 (C Crickmore 3, H Timms).