TWO early goals set Wantage Town on the way to a 2-0 win over Shrivenham in the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division at Alfredian Park.

Richie Claydon worked his way through a static Shrivenham defence to set up Chris Collin, who neatly tucked the ball past keeper Antony Betterton after four minutes.

Claydon was also central to Wantage’s second goal in the 16th minute when he was brought down in the penalty area by Russell Byrne, and Danny Keen fired home the spot-kick.

Wantage’s defence, with Jack Daley and the impressive Stuart Cattell to the fore, then held firm to secure victory.

BEN Thomas hit a first-half hat-trick as Premier Division leaders Ardley United won 4-1 at Reading Town.

Thomas’s treble put Ardley in charge at the break after Marcus Richardson had given Reading the lead.

Ryan Brooks sealed victory with a penalty in the 61st minute. James Dobson grabbed a second-half winner as Oxford City Nomads kept up the pressure with a 3-2 win at Ascot United.

First-half goals from Adam Morris and James Ferreira were sandwiched around an Ian Brooks double for Ascot.

Abingdon Town wasted chances as they crashed 5-2 defeat at Slimbridge.

Jamie Mundy cancelled out Alex Higgs’s opener for Slimbridge, but two goals late in the first half from Daniel Holloway and Marvin Roberts gave the Swans a 3-1 lead.

Holloway scored twice more in three minutes – the second a penalty – after the break before Adam Lovegrove netted in the last minute.