Witney Ladies were knocked off the top of South Clubs League Division 3A as they went down 3-1 at home to Banbury at Wood Green School on Saturday.

Just to make it worse, Witney slipped to third spot behind PHC Chiswick following this disappointing loss.

All seemed well for the hosts at half-time as they led 1-0 with a closerange goal from Amy Williams.

But Witney’s Oxfordshire rivals dominated a stop-start second half, equalising through Pippa Jones from a short corner.

Further goals from Natasha Nunneley and Rebecca Demczak rubbed it in for the hosts as Banbury deposed them as the new leaders.

Witney 3rd lost 1-0 at home to Bicester 3rd in Division 6.

Julie Giles scored the only goal of the game in the first half, with a superb display from the visitors’ keeper Hannah Brown preserving their lead.

Witney men had reason to celebrate as they registered their first point of 2015, thanks to a goalless draw against Oxford Hawks 3rd.

The victory moved them off the bottom of MBB&O Regional 2 table and within five points of safety.

A local derby involved some very heavy challenges, which saw Witney’s Jacob Deacon green-carded.

Witney had chances through Mike Godwin and Andy Gosnell, but they were unable to put any of them away.

At the back, Witney proved solid through Fraser Barnard and Jordan Isaac Dobinson, with keeper Craig Simms pulling off a string of good saves.

Witney showed great resilience to hold on and gain a vital point which moves them off the bottom spot, but more importantly built some great team spirit going forwards.