BICESTER maintained their perfect start to the South League season with a 3-1 victory away to early table-toppers Newbury and Thatcham in Middlesex Berks, Bucks & Oxon Division 1.

Bicester broke the deadlock by scoring two goals early in the second half through James Webb and Jonny Reid, both set up by Adam Drewitt.

Newbury pulled a goal back, but the visitors’s defence, marshalled brilliantly by Andy Brown and ably supported by the dependable Stuart Lock and Stuart Goodacre, did not give them another chance.

Bicester wrapped up victory, when Lock won a short corner which Benjamin Kirk managed to put away with a solid flick that found its way to the backboard.

This game was notable for the full debut of young Ollie Hartley – alongside his brother Will – who was only denied a goal by a fine save.

Bicester welcome South Berkshire 2nd to The Cooper School on Saturday as they look to continue their unbeaten run.

Meanwhile, Bicester Ladies suffered a 4-1 defeat at home to Newbury & Thatcham in Trysports League Premier 2.

After dominating a goalless first half, Bicester had a nightmare 20-minute spell at the start of the second half, during which they conceded four goals.

Heads did not drop and Amy Olah pulled a goal back from a short corner, but Bicester were left wondering how they had lost so heavily in a game they controlled for long periods.

OTHER SCORERS

Bicester 4th 3 (C Odell, N Hertz, C Birch), Abingdon 3rd 2; Bicester Ladies 3rd 3 (L Walker,A Vizard, J Giles), Maidenhead 5th 1.