BANBURY United’s perfect start to the season continued with a convincing 3-0 victory at Hitchin Town.

George Nash, Jefferson Louis and Luke Carnell were on target as the Puritans stayed top of the Evo-Stik South League Premier after three games.

Despite an uneventful opening, Mike Ford’s side took the lead on ten minutes.

Ravi Shamsi cut inside and unleashed a shot from 20 yards which Hitchin goalkeeper Michael Johnson parried away.

But it only went as far as the incoming Nash, who fired home from eight yards.

The hosts went close to levelling on 23 minutes when Lucas Kirkpatrick headed over from Ben Walster’s cross.

However, they were unable to trouble Banbury keeper Jack Harding despite having their fair share of possession.

The Puritans went close to doubling their lead, Johnson tipping Tom Winters’s 33rd-minute free-kick round a post.

Liam Brooks fired over for Hitchin after the break, but Banbury soon scored the all-important second goal.

Winters’s free-kick was only cleared as far as Louis, who, from the edge of the area, brilliantly fired into the top corner on 62 minutes.

The visitors went in search of a third and Winters was again denied by Johnson, this time seeing an effort tipped over the bar on 67 minutes.

Banbury would not have to wait long as victory was secured three minutes later.

Winters’s corner was cleared straight back to him and the winger delivered a cross which was fired home by Luke Carnell from 12 yards via a deflection.

The Puritans are next in action on Saturday when they host Bishop’s Stortford.

Banbury Utd: Harding, Hawtin, Peake-Pijnen, Nash, Johnson, Carnell, Westbrook, Shamsi (Humphreys 60), Louis (Martin 90), McDonagh (Howards 73), Winters.

Subs not used: Blackstock, Bradbury.

Attendance: 391