WITNEY Royals picked up their first points of the season in the Witney & District FA Premier Division after a 4-2 win at home to fellow strugglers Minster Lovell on Saturday, writes Anthony Barlow.

The goals were shared by Matt Thompson, Ryan Colleton, Chris Catchpole and Jordan Cross, Seb White replying with Minster’s goals.

At the other end of the table, leaders West Witney pulled away from the chasing pack courtesy of a 2-0 win at Hailey.

Russ Steele scored against his former club with Carl Austin adding the other.

Joey Burgess bagged a hat-trick as Hanborough overcame Charlbury Town 7-5 in an epic battle.

Rob Keylock also scored twice for the hosts alongside goals from Warren Vandenberg and Aston Leach, with Craig McCallum (2), Paul Allen, Sean Gilbert and Marke Goode netting for Town.

Goals from Matt Currill and Pat Gardner gave Combe a 2-0 win at Chipping Norton Town.

Ducklington were held to a 3-3 draw at home to Bourton Rovers.

Tom Gregory, Tom Costley and Charlie King found the net for the hosts, with Callum Trott, Adam Webley and Keelan Gilbert on target for Bourton.

Eynsham SSC closed the gap on Division 1 leaders Kirtlington with a 3-1 win over a resolute Hailey Res.

Tom Gonzales netted for the visitors, but the points went Eynsham’s way thanks to goals from John Ayres, Matt Walker and Ryan Stockford.

Carterton Rangers also made up ground on top spot with a 7-1 crushing of hosts Chadlington.

Callum Jeffries scored for the home side, but a Dan Hall hat-trick and braces from Jonny Dover and Jamie McDonough gave Rangers a comfortable victory.

Bampton United Res’ Division 4 match away to FC Mills was abandoned after Steven Allery sustained a broken leg, later undergoing surgery in hospital.

OTHER SCORERS

Div 1: Hollybush 9 (S Holder 4, R Williams 2, E Bryant, K Lewis, B Bryant), Brize Norton 3 (O Puddle, P Bronk, R Hook); Stonesfield 2 (P Penny, E Gilkes), Aston 2 (M Hedges 2); North Leigh A 0, Spartan Rgrs 2 (J Grant, D Cross).

Div 2: Bampton Utd 6, Chipp Norton Tn Res 3 (M Smith 3); Carterton Tn B 4 (J Hirshfield, D Sollis, O Bush, L Simmonds), Hanborough Res 0; Kingham All Blacks 0, FC Nomads 0; Minster Lovell Res 6 (M Ryan 3, D Souch, N Crozier, J Booth), Moreton Rgrs 3 (D Toon 2, J Larner); Spartan Rgrs Res 8 (C Isle 3, J Spalding, D Perks, O Semlali, M Ferriera, A Thomson), Ducklington Res 1 (S Quinn); Witney Wanderers 2 (S Morrison, B Border), Milton 3 (A Ayres, J Forster, D Keitley).

Div 3: Corinthians 0, Tower Hill Stars 3 (W Graham 2, A Townsend); Enstone 0, Bourton Rov Res 3 (R Temple-Richmond, L Mosson, L Harding); Eynsham A 2 (O Page, J Lyne), Wychwood Forest 3 (S Harris 2, M Hanson); Tower Hill 5 (W Hayes 2, L Bartlett, E Smith, I Wright), Witney Royals Res 2 (M Lucas, M Piper).

Div 4: Brize N Res 0, Eynsham SSC 5 (D Mobey 3, A Timms, S Rowbotham); Charlbury Res 2 (G Jones, D Potter), Stonesfield Res 2 (C Jordan 2); Combe Res 0, FC Hollybush Res 6 (A Hyatt 3, D Cooper 2, D Smith); Milton Res 6 (J Rawlins 3, D Hooton 2, H Nolan), Chadlington Res 2 (R French, M North); Wootton Res 0, Aston Res 1 (C Fisher); Wychwood Forest Res 1 (J Bufton), Spartan Rgrs A 8 (J Saverton 2, D Malins, W Cook, L Steele, D Briggs, J Macke, T Merchant).