ABINGDON Town kicked off the North Berks League’s ‘groundhop weekend’ with a 1-0 win at Wallingford Town in Division 1 on Friday night, writes Phil Annets.

More than 100 spectators turned out as Steve Pitson struck to maintain Abingdon’s perfect start to the season.

On Saturday, 200 saw East Hendred and Long Wittenham Athletic share not only the points, but also the James Rennie Memorial Trophy as they drew 1-1.

Joe Cheong scored the opener for Wittenham with Tom Rowe replying for Hendred early in the second half.

A Charlie Allsop double was enough to sink Crowmarsh Gifford as they were beaten 2-1 at Kintbury Rangers, despite a goal from Scott Gesner for the visitors.

Drayton opened their league campaign with a 6-1 home win over Faringdon Town.

Ashley Seamark grabbed a hat-trick, Ryan Seamark bagged two goals and Danny Curran scored Drayton’s sixth. Richard Evans hit the consolation for Faringdon.

Charlie Lee struck twice for Dorchester, but they lost 3-2 at home to Lambourn Sports, who scored through Jonny James, Terry Wood and an own goal.

Hanney United won 4-2 at home to Marcham in Division 2.

Tom Larman and Damien Dodds twice gave Marcham the lead only for James Bishop to cancel both out.

Matt Woodside bundled home twice in the second half to give the hosts victory.

Goals from Conor and Alex Blayachi were scant consolation for Watlington Town as they were thumped 8-2 at early pacesetters Turnpike Sports.

Gary Dredge hit a hat-trick for the hosts alongside goals for Ashley Beckett (2), Kyle Sargeant, Terry Amor and Chris Maja.

Steventon won 4-1 at home to Kintbury Rangers Res, thanks to a Jamie Speer double and Shane Butler and Andy Cooper goals. Nigel Head replied.

Stanford in the Vale won 3-2 at Faringdon Town Res courtesy of a Taylor Gill brace and Jamie Tuck’s goal.

Chris Benson and Dan Oyston scored for the home side, but could not prevent a second straight defeat for the hosts.

OTHER SCORERS

Div 2: Sutton Courtenay 4, Burghclere 3 (A Smith 2, C Angell).

Div 3: Compton 1 (L Murray), Dorchester Res 2 (A Kerry 2); Grove Rgrs 4 (M Cramp 2, A Pickering, J Dix), Benson Lions 1 (J Radcliffe); Newbury Res 7 (J Appleby 3, T Grey, S Bowers, A Bulloch, B Thurston), Union St 2 (J Cunning, A Pratchett); Uffington Utd 0, Hungerford Tn Swifts 3 (S Rolfe, A Maycock, J Daniel).

Div 4: Abingdon Tn Res 4 (A Waclawek 4), Faringdon Tn A 0; Lambourn Res 1 (S Crayton), Long Wittenham Res 1 (N Townsend); Stanford in the Vale Res 6 (J Gregory 4, L Wilkins, T Mayall), Drayton Res 1 (R Patrick).

Div 5: Burghclere Res 4 (D O’Hagan 2, J Lawrence, M Fidler), Sutton Courtenay Res 3 (J Dingwall 2, L Hutton); Hanney 66 Club 3 (A Alder, M Bishop, P Robinson), Steventon Res 3 (D Lovatt, D Cannon, A Hall); Wallingford Tn A 0, Hungerford Tn Swifts Res 13 (J Way 4, D Harris 4, A Tellwright 3, R Pocock, G Harris); Watlington Tn Res 1 (M Newbold), Uffington Utd Res 4 (P Fletcher, D Mastalerz, E Thomas).

AG Kingham Cup 1st round: Berinsfield Res 1 (T Beechers), N Oxford Res 4 (C Stevens 2, P Kovacs, A Pantry); Marcham Res 2 (M Bloomfield, L Jackson), Wallingford Tn Res 4 (S Gair 2, J Webber, G Clark).