MAX Palmer’s hat-trick helped keep Berinsfield’s North Berks League Division 1 title aspirations alive as they thrashed Ardington & Lockinge 5-1, writes PHIL ANNETS.

A David Murphy effort and Chris Murphy’s penalty completed the scoring for the rampant visitors, who are seven points behind leaders Kintbury Rangers with three games in hand.

Chris Hogan netted a first-half spotkick for Ardington.

Abingdon Town climbed to third with a 3-1 win at Watlington Town.

Nathan Carter, Rich Morgan and Courtney Kelly scored their goals, with Graham Hall replying.

Charlie Allsop, Pete Mewse and Tom Burch scored as Kintbury beat Faringdon Town 3-1. Richard Evans netted for Faringdon.

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Saxton Rovers climbed off the bottom with a 5-1 win over Drayton.

Tom Stanley struck twice alongside goals from Kyle Allsworth, Steve Pitson and Gary Belcher. Karl Bolton netted in vain for Drayton.

Division 2 leaders Stanford in the Vale won 2-0 at Faringdon Town Res thanks to goals from Brad Gill and Kieran McCarthy.

Sutton Courtenay went down to a heavy 5-1 defeat at Lambourn Sports, with Ben Matthews hitting a hat-trick and Sam Connors and Matt Pedder also scoring for the home side.

Mike Hooton netted for Sutton.

There was also a heavy defeat for Marcham, with Dave Coleman smashing in a hat-trick, Elliott Corp bagging a brace and Luca Wrona, Adam Sly and Dan Kingsley also scoring to give Coleshill United an 8-0 victory.

Ben Sutton struck twice to secure a 2-0 victory for third-placed East Hendred over Westminster.

Shane Butlin hit a treble as Steventon beat Saxton Rovers Res 5-1.

Matt Finch and Dan McArdle both also scored in the win, with Luke Dewar replying for Saxton.

Division 3 promotion hopefuls Hanney United won 2-1 at Grove Rangers.

James Bishop and James Carlini scored their goals, with Will McDonald registering for the home side.

Luke Willis, Alan Kilday and Luke Vincent all scored for Benson Lions as they won 3-2 at Dorchester Res.

Sam Hooke and Miles Southon scored in reply, but it wasn’t enough.

Mike Mortimore’s strike gave Abingdon Town Res a 1-0 home victory over Blewbury.

Faringdon Town A set up a repeat of the 2014 League Cup final between themselves and Wallingford Town Res following their 3-0 semi-final win over Long Wittenham Athletic Res.

Sam Long, Chris Benson and Troy Redman scored.