HUNGERFORD Town fell victim to a devastating first half-hour blitz as they were beaten 3-1 at home by Hampton & Richmond Borough in National League South on Saturday.

The visitors scored after only five minutes when Brendan Kiernan latched on to a through pass and slotted the ball past George Legg, and they doubled their lead after 23 minutes when Jay Gasson beat headed powerfully into the net from a Tom Jelley corner.

The Beavers continued to dominate and it was no surprise when Nickie Kabamba headed home to establish a three-goal margin after 31 minutes.

However, Hungerford did not give up, and a Nat Jarvis header was well-saved before Mike Jones headed home from a corner right on half time to make it 3-1.

The second half was a much more even affair, but the hosts were unable to pull off a comeback.

Hungerford advanced in the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy with a 4-2 victory at Didcot Town on Tuesday of last week.

Garyn Preen gave the Crusaders a fourth-minute lead, with Nicholas Bignall making it 2-0 shortly after.

Andy Ballard reduced the arrears, but second-half goals from Harry Goodger and Jon Boardman settled the tie despite Ben Whitehead’s 81st-minute strike for Didcot.

Hungerford host Leiston in the FA Cup this Saturday (3pm).

Thatcham Town

THATCHAM Town retained top spot in the Hellenic Premier with a 1-1 draw at title-rivals Flackwell Heath on Tuesday night.

Kingfishers got off to a flying start when Jemel Johnson opened the scoring after just three minutes against the 2015 champions.

But Flackwell piled on the pressure throughout the match and they secured a share of the spoils thanks to a late Daniel Rapley goal.

The win leaves Thatcham top of the table and level on points with Flackwell who have played two fewer games.

The Kingfishers climbed into top spot with a comfortable 3-0 victory at Ascot United on Saturday.

The hosts should have taken a fourth-minute lead when Luke Wilson found himself clean through, only to shoot straight at keeper Chris Rackley.

At the other end, Shane Cooper-Clark screwed the ball wide of an open goal, but the visitors did not have to wait before taking the lead in the 13th minute.

Joel Jacobs planted a good ball into the area for the unmarked James Tennant to fire into the top right-hand corner.

Cooper-Clark stung the palms of keeper Carl Dennison before a shot on the turn from Josh Helmore flew narrowly wide of the right-hand post.

Ascot then lost Jake Parsons with a knee injury, bringing Charlie Bird off the bench.

Thatcham doubled their advantage after 55 minutes with Tennant starting and finishing off a move that also involved Jemel Johnson.

Gavin Brainch replaced Louie Gilpin on the hour mark as Ascot searched for inspiration, but all hopes of any comeback were extinguished in the 67th minute when Johnson fired low under Dennison to make it 3-0.

Thatcham had previously lost 3-1 at home by Royal Wootton Bassett on Tuesday of last week.

A Daniel Comer own goal put the hosts in front after 19 minutes, but goals from Dale Richards and Henry Spalding meant they trailed 2-1 at the interval.

And a second strike from Richards midway through the second half ensured the visitors left with all three points.

Thatcham host Highmoor Ibis on Saturday (3pm) and then travel to Bracknell Town in the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy next Tuesday (7.45pm).

Newbury FC

NEWBURY fell victim to a Connor Banks brace in the last five minutes as they lost 2-1 at Berks County in the Thames Valley League Premier Division.

Leroy Clarke was the Newbury goalscorer, with the 10th-placed side at home to Hurst on Saturday (2pm).

Newbury Ladies

NEWBURY Ladies were knocked out of the Southern Region Women's League Cup after a 3-2 extra-time defeat to Barton Rovers Ladies.

Ellie Reed fired Newbury into an early lead and then netted a superb effort from 35 yards out to put her side 2-0 up.

But Barton fought back and although they were denied from the penalty spot by a fine save from Chloe Hunt - who had replaced the injured Laura Ainscough - they scored twice in the last 15 minutes to send the tie to extra time.

And the visitors netted an all-important third in first-half injury time to book their place in the next round.