Oxford Hawks eased any lingering relegation concerns by coming from behind to win 3-1 at home to struggling Sutton Valence in South League Premier 1 on Saturday.

The visitors edged ahead against the run of play from a penalty flick after a stick-tackle in the D by Dan Money and only a fine save by Phil Hargraves prevented Dave Matthews putting the Kent side further ahead at the break.

As Sutton Valence tired, Charlie Ellison equalised with an unstoppable flick from a short corner with 15 minutes left.

Hawks then took the lead after Matt Wood went around the outside and pulled the ball back for Matt Richardson to score high into the net.

Ellison sealed the victory by scoring his second from a short corner.

After another fine save from Hargreaves, Hawks could have added to their tally, but they were just relieved to have won at the end.

Oxford University’s game at home to Eastbourne was postponed.

Oxford’s Regional title hopes were hit when they went down to a surprise 2-1 defeat away to Maidenhead.

It was only the second loss of the campaign for Oxford, who had to settle for a goal from Callum MacKenzie.

A weakened Witney side crashed to a 7-1 defeat away to Old Merchant Taylors in Regional 1.

Liam Frost scored once again for Witney but it was little consolation for the relegation-threatened visitors.

Oxford 2nd triumphed 2-1 at home to Amersham & Chalfont to stay top of Regional 2 thanks to goals from Matt Oakes and Nick Greenwood.

OTHER MEN’S RESULTS

Purley Walcountians 7, Oxford Hawks 2nd 4 (D Andrews 2, R Craig, S Duval); Oxford Hawks 3rd 3 (S Dawson 3), Ashford (Middlesex) 2nd 0; Oxford Hawks 4th 3 (E Bennett, T Forrester, C Robins), High Wycombe 3rd 3; Oxford Hawks 5th 4 (A Bentley 3, K Hack), High Wycombe 4th 3; Oxford Hawks 6th 3 (M Lumb 2, N Monk), PHC Chiswick 6th 0; Oxford Hawks Falcons 5 (B Smith 2, G Roper, R Warner, S Griffiths), Chalfont Vintage 0; Oxford 3rd 1 (O Dale), Bicester 2; Oxford 4th 5 (J Burke 4, B Matthews), Oxford 5th 3 (L Cadman 2, P Alexandrou); Oxford 6th 1 (A Neville), Ashford 3rd 3; Witney 2nd 2 (T Yallop, M Godwin), West Hampstead 5th 3; Milton Keynes 4th 3, Witney 3rd 2 (J Taylor, A Birnie); Witney 4th 3 (J Austin 2, B Austin), Oxford 8th 0; Oxford 9th 1, Soning 6th 4.