LETCOMBE 2, BADSHOT LEA 4
BADSHOT Lea held firm on Saturday to record a notable double over last season's runners-up. David Ford's young guns travelled to Oxford short of five squad regulars, although it has to be said that Letcombe were in the same boat, with players ruled out through injury. Badshot Lea took the game to their hosts and blitzed them in the first half. Bradley Smith, the division's leading marksman, opened the scoring after just five minutes, shooting low into the far corner. Smith scored again nine minutes later, side- footing home a cross for his 30th goal in 24 games, and Maurice Gregory made it 3-0 with another low shot into the corner. And when Ben Stewart added the fourth with another clinical finish five minutes later, Badshot Lea looked to be out of sight. However, the second half found Letcombe in the ascendancy. Paul Jezzard rounded goalkeeper Peter Rapley, only to shoot over the bar. But Richard Claydon made no mistake midway through the half, reducing the arrears, and Paul Roberts added Letcombe's second to make the scoreline more respectable. Mark Rees had a great chance to set up a tense last five minutes, but shot straight at Rapley when well placed. David Ford must now prepare his team for the visit of fifth-placed Banbury United on Saturday, 'Lea need to win this game if they want to finish in the top six. Badshot Lea: Rapley, Monger, Clark, Stewart, Griffiths, Maheady, Blake, B Smith, Hinchin, Higgs, Gregory. Subs (all used): Traylen, D Ford, Fealey. Badshot Lea Reserves travel to Penn & Tylers Green looking to clinch the league title.