Round-Up: Hoops, Puritans and Railwaymen men all celebrating

As Oxfordshire baked in the heat, Oxford City, Banbury United and, for the first time this season, Didcot Town were all celebrating notable victories on Saturday, whilst Watlington Town caused a big upset in the Marsh Challenge Cup.

Oxford City produced their best National League performance yet with a 5-2 win to Hartlepool United. They had trailed twice, only for Olly Sanderson and Canice Carroll to equalise each time. They then raced into a 4-2 lead with goals from Josh Ashby and Pierre Fonkeu, who then scored the fifth with five minutes remaining.

Banbury United returned to winning ways in National League North with a 3-0 victory over Warrington Town. Ken Charles and Aiden Elliot-Wheeler – fresh from making his Oxford United debut in midweek – scored early on for the Puritans. The third came from Charles six minutes into the second half.

In the only local Southern League game of the day, Didcot Town picked up their first win of the season at home to Winchester City. Seth Humphries scored the only goal on the break for the Railwaymen inside the opening 15 minutes.

Kidlington progressed in the FA Trophy First Qualifying Round with a 2-0 win over North Leigh, with Piers Walton’s goal followed by an own goal from George Gilmore. Thame United joined the Millers in exiting the competition at the first hurdle after losing 5-0 to Badshot Lea.

Down to step 5, Ardley United won 2-1 away to Edgware & Kingsbury. George Jeacock scored from an indirect free kick in the box in the first half, with Anaclet Odhiambo striking in the second. Milton United remain in the top five despite losing 3-2 to Egham Town whilst Wallingford & Crowmarsh drew 2-2 with North Greenford United.

In the Hellenic League, Wantage Town’s losing streak continued as they lost 1-0 at Worcester Raiders, Isaac Cooper breaking the Freds’ resistance a quarter of an hour from time.

Elsewhere in the Hellenic there was Marsh Challenge Cup action with wins for Abingdon United, Kidlington Reserves and Watlington Town, who secured a memorable upset in beating Southam United 4-2. Clanfield 85 lost 4-1 to FC Bristol whilst Headington Amateurs briefly led Hartpury University but ultimately lost 5-2.

Also in league cup action were Easington Sports, who followed up their first league win against Rugby Borough in the week with a 2-1 victory at home to UCL Division One side Gedling Miners Welfare.

Lower down the leagues, the defences wilted at Oakley United in Oxfordshire Senior League Division Two as Chinnor Reserves beat their hosts by the odd goal in nine. The most goals in a day today came in Witney & District Division Three where Deer Park Rangers pasted Eynsham SSC Reserves 11-0.