Oxford Hawks may have lost their South League Premier Division 1 game 3-1 at table-topping Fareham, but they turned in one of their best performances of the season.

It was always going to be a testing fixture against the League's outstanding side, but Hawks gave them a good run for their money.

Fareham average more than six goals per game and the match again betrayed Hawks’ tendency to play well against good sides and poorly against sides they should beat.

Hawks were determined and resolute in defence with keeper Simon Keyes and centre backs Dominic Roche and Nathan Monk outstanding.

Hawks were undone by a slick short corner routine and an irresistible drag flick midway through the second half – both goals coming from Fareham's England U21 international Jon Kinder.

Well constructed approach play created decent chances for Pete Forshaw and Dan Money, who both might have finished better before Ed Baldock made the score 2-1 with a well directed shot.

Hawks might have snatched a shock point but were caught on the break five minutes from time when Fareham scored a decisive third goal.

With their home pitch still under four inches of snow, Banbury travelled twice to London at the weekend.

Visiting Staines on Saturday, Banbury fielded a squad that was short of match practice and were beaten 5-3.

Goals from Simon Boardman and Matt Bull, with a penalty flick, helped Banbury go in level at half-time.

But in the second half, Staines capitalised on defensive errors. Bull scored a second from a short corner.

Returning to the capital on Sunday, Banbury fielded a stronger squad and they ran riot, beating Ashford 7-0.

They opened with two short corner goals in the first ten minutes through Dave Clarke and the in-form Bull.

Further goals came from Will Kellett and Tyson Nunneley, while Boardman completed a hat-trick.

In Division 1, City of Oxford fought back from 4-1 down at half-time to earn a 4-4 draw at Sunbury.

They trailed to an early defensive error and were then open to quick breaks when they went forward, so soon found themselves three down.

Charlie De Burgh pulled one back from a penalty flick but a fourth Sunbury goal gave them a mountain to climb.

Yet Chris Brougham deflected in a short corner, De Burgh got his second from a rebound, and with eight minutes to go, Ed Broyd completed the comeback by firing in the rebound after the keeper saved Brougham’s shot.

Careless defending and a failure to take their chances cost Abingdon the match as they lost 3-2 against Newbury & Thatcham at Tilsley Park.

Newbury took the lead after five minutes through David Gray and went two up shortly afterwards, Gray firing home from eight yards.

With half-time approaching, Owen Blackburn pulled one back for Abingdon, taking the ball into the circle before guiding it past the goalkeeper.

Lee Pociecha restored Newbury's two-goal lead.

Will Trigg reduced the deficit ten minutes from the end, forcing the ball home from close range after Smith had carried it along the back line.