Dave Sutcliffe hammered a hat-trick as Bicester kept their promotion hopes firmly alive with a 4-2 victory at fellow contenders Banbury 2nd in Middlesex, Berks, Bucks & Oxon Division 1 on Saturday.

Banbury took an early lead, but parity was soon restored with a firmly struck shot from Luke Smith.

Bicester went ahead a minute into the second half when Sutcliffe opened his account with a cool finish.

Banbury levelled, but Sutcliffe restored the lead with a super lob.

Sutcliffe then completed his treble.

Bicester 2nd edged out Reading University Knights 5th 7-6 in Division 5, thanks to a four-timer from Pete Oram.

Jonathan Roger, James Pilgrim and Ben Kirk completed their tally.

A goal from Jordan Chester secured a 1-0 win for Bicester 3rd away to West Hampstead 8th in Division 7.

He struck just before half time, bundling the ball home from close range after Nick Styles’s shot was saved.

The visitors kept up the pressure in the second half, but were unable to add to their tally.

Bicester Development lost 4-2 at home to Sonning 7th in Division 10.

Stuart Morton and Ollie Hartley were on target for the visitors.

Bicester secured their fourth win in a row with a 1-0 success away to Henley 2nd in Premier Division 1 of the Trysports League.

The winner came on the hour from rookie Bea Gunn following a concerted spell of pressure.

Bicester 2nd lost 3-2 at Kidlington in Division 2, despite goals from Nicky Cameron and Charlie Humphries.