SAXTON Rovers closed the gap on North Berks League Division 1 leaders Berinsfield with a stunning 6-1 thrashing of Stanford in the Vale, writes RICHARD UNDERWOOD.

With their title rivals not in action, Rovers moved level on points at the top in emphatic style, thanks to a double from Tom Stanley and further goals from Kyle Allsworth, Dan Cox, Dan Parry and Frank Haines.

Taylor Gill netted the consolation for the away side.

Steventon missed the opportunity to close in on the leaders in Division 2 as they went down 3-0 at Hanney United.

Shane Harris, Matthew Woodside and Jack Hemmings did the damage, maintaining the three-point deficit between Steventon and top spot.

Dean Boyles hit a magnificent four-timer to help North Oxford to a 6-3 victory at home to Harwell Village.

Jack Hinkin and Dale Cameron also scored for North, with Paul Churchouse, Gareth Bertram and Paul Bedwell replying for Harwell.

Miles Southon scored the only goal of the game as Dorchester won 1-0 at home to Sutton Courtenay.

Division 3 leaders Ardington & Lockinge were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Compton as goals from Lee Kent and Jamie Gregory were cancelled out by goals from the visitors’ Alex Caines and Ray Harrison.

A Jordan Jones effort gave Benson Lions a 1-0 victory at Wallingford Town Res, closing the gap on the leaders to four points.

Stuart Armstrong, Dan Barnes and David Yallop all scored as Marcham won 3-1 at home to Highworth Town Development.

Joe Oulridge replied for the visitors.

Blewbury went six points clear at the top of Division 4 with a 4-1 home victory over rivals North Oxford Res.

Aaron Gray and Charlie Jamieson netted twice each to give Blewbury victory, while Fred Kamale hit the consolation for the visitors.

Long Wittenham Athletic leapfrogged Coleshill United into third place with a narrow 2-1 home win.

Mike Learoyd and Daryoush Kianzad were on target for the hosts, with James Tranter replying for Coleshill.

Basement side Hagbourne United claimed their first victory of the season to upset visitors Drayton 4-1.

Jamie Clark scored twice alongside goals from Dom Lovegrove and Charlie Black, with Nathan Merry scoring for Drayton.

William Wright scored twice and Sam McKenna was also on target as Sutton Courtenay Res won 3-0 at home to Uffington United Res in Division 5.

Jack Green scored twice for Faringdon Town A, but could not prevent their 3-2 home defeat to Hanney 66 Club, thanks to a James Bishop brace and Steve McKay’s goal.

Westminster booked their place in the semi-finals of the War Memorial Cup with a fine 6-2 victory over nine-man Watlington Town.

Edgar Garces and Dom Selwood scored for Watlington, but their hopes of victory were severely damaged as Jon Little and Dan Clifford were both dismissed.

And the visitors ruthlessly exploited their numerical advantage to win comfortably, with Tom Srawley scoring twice and Mike Hooton, Luke Lewis-Rippington, Harry Auckland and Kieran Hughes also on target.

Wallingford Town A beat hosts Lambourn Sports Res 2-0 to reach the semi-finals of the League Cup.

Jamie Newport and Josh Burtenshaw struck the decisive goals.

OTHER SCORERS

League Cup: Stanford in the Vale Res 0, Burghclere Res 6 (J Lawrence 4, D Stockwell 2).

Meanwhile, Abingdon United Academy reached the quarter-finals of the Berks & Bucks Junior Cup with a 3-0 victory at home to Hungerford Swifts on Saturday.

The hosts too the lead on the hour with a goal from Jacob Joseph.

Jacob Keeble added a second shortly afterwards after good work from John Dennis.

Then with ten minutes remaining, Abingdon skipper Joe Green ended Hungerford’s hopes when he headed home their third goal from close range to take them into the last eight where they will meet Westwood United Reserves.