Banbury made it three wins on the bounce with an impressive 5-3 victory over Purley.

It leaves them only two points off top spot in South League Premier Division 1.

Banbury found themselves two down after 15 minutes when defensive errors allowed Alex Mowat and Ed Brown to put Purley firmly in control.

The introduction of Craig Irvine seemed to change the game, and within six minutes of him coming on, he had scored one from close range before setting up Dave Clark for a tap-in to level things up.

During the build-up to Banbury’s second, Adrian Simons was involved in an off-the-ball incident which found him sin-binned for ten minutes.

Within five minutes of the second half, Banbury were restored to 11 men and they took control of the game.

Richard Foreman’s shot deflected off a defender’s foot and looped over the goalkeeper to give them the lead and Simons smashed in a fourth.

Purley Walcountians got a consolation but Simons was then fouled in the D and, despite a poor penalty flick, Clark grabbed his second.

Oxford University chalked up a fine 3-2 win at Staines thanks to goals from Adam Jordan, Thomas Lockton and Matt Wood.

Oxford Hawks were beaten 3-1 by Ashford in Premier 2.

They conceded after three minutes when a harsh penalty corner was converted.

Ted Bennett found the net, only for it to be ruled out.

Ashford went two up with a well-worked goal and alth-ough Tim Martin converted a well-worked short corner at the back post, they conceded a third in the second half.

OTHER SCORES Slough 2nd 2, Hawks 2nd 1; Witney 2nd 5 (M Godwin 2, A Birnie, T Yallop, S Bates), Wycombe 4th 1; Wokingham 2nd 0, City 2nd 2 (J Burke, A Hazelwood); Amersham 3rd 5, City 3rd 0; Witney 3rd 2 (G Wisby, F Barnard), Bicester 3rd 1; Witney 4th 4 (C McGregor 2, B Carroll 2), Bicester 4th 1; S Bucks 2nd 5, Banbury 2nd 0; W Hampstead 3rd 2, Banbury 3rd 1; City 4th 1 (F Demet), Banbury 4th 0; Wallingford 8, Witney 5th 1 (P O’Brien); Meadhurst 4, Hawks 4th 2; East-cote 3, Hawks Fledglings 3; Hawks Falcons 1, Woking 1; Hawks Senators 8, Andover 3; Rugby & E Warwicks 1, Banbury 5th 0; City Bulls 9, Bournemouth Vets 1 (A Bowen 4, S Curnock, P Scragg, S Bell, A White).

EH Boys U18 Cup: Reading 4, Oxford Hawks 2 (S Chilvers, J Biggs).

Oxon U16 Boys League: Wallingford 1, City 3 (G Dixon, B Knowles, K Ratcliffe).