WITNEY & DISTRICT FA

A COMBINATION of Christmas and the wet weather saw a truncated WDFA programme, with only one game in each division going ahead, writes John Smyth.

In the Premier Division, Witney Royals remain in relegation trouble after they were thumped 7-2 at home to Hanborough.

Hanborough made the most of a considerable gale in the first half, racing into a four goal lead.

Royals pulled a couple back at the start of the second period, but the visitors then put their foot back on the gas to record a comfortable victory.

Aston Leach was the difference between the two sides scoring a five-timer to add to strikes by Tom Weedon and Warren Vandenberg.

Liam Readhead and Chris Thompson scored for Royals.

In Division 1, Spartan Rangers had their promotion prospects dented when they suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat at the hands of bottom side Freeland A.

Goals from Scott Greening and a Sam Symonds spot kick were good enough for Freeland, with Jamie Timms replying.

Carterton Rangers continue to rise up the Division 2 table after recording a 3-0 victory at Bampton Town.

Two goals from Johnny Dover and one from Mo Hales gave Rangers the three points and move them up to fifth place in the league.

Bampton remain just a place above the relegation zone.

Spartan Rangers Res kept up the pressure on the leading two in Division 3.

A hard-fought 3-2 win over Bourton Rangers Res took them to within a point of leaders Minster Lovel Res with a game in hand.

A rare Dave Duggan effort and one from Charlie Harper were cancelled out in the first half by a Josh Catlin double.

However, a fine run and strike by Joel Spalding earned Spartan all the points although the young Bourton side will count themselves unlucky as they wasted numerous good opportunities late on.

Leaders Tower Hill are starting to run away from the chasing pack in Division 4.

They have a five point lead after a 11-1 demolition of Spartan Rangers A.

Ed Dunn bagged four goals and there was a double for Jesse Lawrence, with single strikes from Luke and Adam Bolley, Ian Wright, Connor Tinsley and Jamie Goodwin.

Tom Merchant scored the consolation for Spartan.

LEADING SCORERS

Premier Div: 11 Jack Morton (Ducklington), 8 Craig McCallum (Charlbury), 7 Reece Bayliss (Chipping Norton Town), 6 Aston Leach (Han-borough), Steven Hunt (Chadlington).

Div 1: 22 Pawel Bronk (Brize Norton), 13 John Andrews (Hailey Res), 11 John Ayres (Eynsham SSC), 8 Chris Lawrence (FC Nomads), Matt Townsend (Spartan), Mo Semlali (Hailey Res).

Div 2: 15 Dan Hall (Carterton Rgrs), 14 Davy Cooper, Lee Keyes (both FC Hollybush), Marcello Guitheme (Witney Wands).