Almondsbury Town’s quest for the championship crown gathered pace with a 6-0 drubbing of Old Woodstock Town. Dean Griffiths got a hat-trick with Aaron Blakemore, Nick Dunn and Ross Stearn completing the scoring. Lowly Bicester Town gave league leaders Reading Town an early shock when Ryan Brooks scored after five minutes, but Aaron Parfitt, Dean Thomas and Graham Smith redressed the balance in the favour of the visitors, keeping them ahead of the Almonds on goal difference. Ascot United put half a dozen past bottom of the table Hook Norton without reply. On target for the Yellamen were John Bennett with a hat-trick, Tim Standing, Sam McIntyre and Andy Lunn. Form team Binfield were overturned by the unpredictable Ardley United, thanks to a four-timer from Troy Bryan. Tim Walsh grabbed a late consolation for the home side. Shortwood United’s fading quest for league honours was truly dampened with a defeat at strugglers Carterton. Kevin Lewis and an own goal in the first period were enough to secure a valuable win for the Oxfordshire outfit. Last week’s muggers Fairford Town were themselves mugged by Abingdon Town. 2-0 up through a John Hollis pair with five minutes remaining on the clock, the home side were cruising to a comfortable victory but strikes from Liam Barson, Graham Edney and Mark Simms gave the visitors an unlikely victory. Strugglers Malmesbury Victoria were no match for Witney United, losing 3-1 thanks to John McMahon and an Any Odhiambo brace with Chris Cox on target for the Vics’ consolation. Wantage Town’s recent dip in form was halted at Marlow United after a 3-0 victory, thanks to efforts from Sean McKeon and a Tom Austin pair. Oxford City Nomads hit the target three times without reply against Highworth Town courtesy of Ashley Eales, a very dubious Mark Jones penalty and Ian Roper. Pegasus Juniors went ahead through Simon Gwynne in their match against Kidlington but eventually lost after Danny Leggett and Andy White had found the target. Shrivenham were 2-0 down after half an hour against Flackwell Heath, with goals from Lee Thompson and Paul Shone and despite their best efforts were unable to claw back the deficit.

FTL FUTBOL Division One (West)

With only two points separating the top four sides the league title challenge for this division is far from over. Wootton Bassett Town boosted their championship credentials after leap-frogging into second place behind Cheltenham Saracens following a very close winning encounter with fellow title challengers Purton. James Turner and Ryan Banks had given Bassett the initiative with first half strikes but Jonny Coole’s second half reply made for a very tense final half hour. High flyers Slimbridge kept up their own title challenge with a 4-1 win over Clanfield. On target for the Swans were Adam Philp, Lewis Wilton, Rob Hine and Ross Langworthy with Craig Mays hitting the net for the visitors. Cricklade Town hammered North Leigh Reserves scoring five without reply. On target for Crick were Adam O’Bree, Arron Maximen, Steve Winchcombe and Reece Gilliver with a pair. Rock bottom Launton Sports rocked Tytherington Rocks with their first league win of the season. Lewis McGowen gave the home side an early lead which was quickly cancelled out by Marcus Taylor but hero of the day Simon King slotted home the winner with 20 minutes to go. Letcombe took the points against strugglers Winterbourne United when Jo Kent scored the only goal of the game from the spot after 10 minutes. Trowbridge Town lost to Lydney Town, shipping three goals in the process courtesy of Niall Halford with a pair and Mark Lee from the spot.

FTL FUTBOL Division One (East)

Leaders Thame United consolidated their position at the top after Aaron Rogers hit the target with the only goal of the game against Chinnor just before the break. Eton Wick were turned over by Henley Town thanks to second half strikes from Danny Paiser and Darren Russell. Holyport were easy winners over Finchampstead, scoring four times without reply courtesy of Dan Rapley with two, Jamie Handscomb and Alan Akerman. Milton United led 3-0 at Kintbury Rangers thanks to Jonny Summers, and a Warren McCabe brace, but only just managed to hang onto the lead after the home side came back with late goals from Paul Thomas and Luke Mason. Lowly Newbury had a fine win over Didcot Town Reserves thanks to pairs from Kalief Madden and Craig Hill. Rodney Siziba was on target for the visitors’ consolation. Basement boys Penn & Tylers lost by the odd goal in five to South Kilburn. Scoring for Penn were Ricci Putnam and Roland Knight and for the visitors, Scott Nelmes and Jerome Scarlett with two. Rayners Lane drew 1-1 with the high flying Woodley Town. Jermaine Reyhill gave the home side a half time lead but Lyle Smith hit the target to rescue a point for the visitors late in the game.