NORTH Berks League Division 1 leaders Saxton Rovers began the year with a shock 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Wallingford Town, writes Phil Annets.

Jack Smith scored for the hosts, but an Ashley Searle double was enough to condemn Rovers to a first league defeat since the opening day of the season.

In Division 2, a late Dan Hill strike sent Marcham crashing to a 5-4 defeat at home to Westminster, having just overturned a 4-1 half-time deficit.

Two Sam Dallimore efforts and further goals from Harry Ackland and Luke Lewis-Rippington gave the visitors a commanding lead at the break, despite Dan Barnes pulling one back.

Goals from Rob Fathers, Tom Cousins and Stuart Armstrong appeared to have salvaged a point for Marcham, before Hill poked home in the dying minutes to hand Westminster victory.

In Division 3, bottom side Union Street suffered a humiliating 7-1 defeat at home to Uffington United.

Matthew Brandish netted for the hosts, but it was little consolation as a Pete Byrne hat-trick, a brace from Louis Butler and goals from Mark Jones and George Heath ensured their heaviest defeat of the season.

Liam Eltham helped himself to four goals as East Hendred Res won 6-2 at Berinsfield Res in Division 4.

Liam Revell also bagged a brace for the visitors, with Jon Welch and Brian Rawlings on target for the home side.

OTHER SCORERS

Div 4: Kennington Ath 4 (T Briggs 2, J Smith, L Pitts), Lambourn Spts Res 3 (J Coyle, K Watson, A Day).

Div 5: N Oxford Res 4 (L Trotman 2, L Trinder, B Scrivener), Marcham Res 2 (M Bloomfield, J Eldridge); Wallingford Tn A 1 (E Seares), Burghclere Res 1 (D O’Hagan); Watlington Tn Res 2 (C Selwood, D Selwood), Hanney 66 Club 1 (P Robinson).