Saxton Rovers underlined their title credentials with a top-drawer display of pace and teamwork, as they crushed current Division 1 leaders Harwell Village 5 – 1.

Rovers almost scored after only twenty seconds when Wayne Waldron was put through on the right of the area, with his shot just clearing the host’s crossbar and, in what was a lively start by both teams, Matthew Hinchliffe for Harwell and Steve Pitson of Rovers should have done better with early chances.

Visitors Saxton opened the scoring after 19 minutes, when a short-range cross from Steve Pitson was put in by Dave Carter’s skilful overhead kick but Harwell showed why they have had such a good start to the season with good probing football and Rovers keeper Darren Spayes had to be sharp to deny John ‘JR’ Willis at his feet.

A quick and long kick out by Harwell keeper Ian East almost brought an equaliser at the start of the second half. Willis chased the ball, wriggled by several defenders and crossed for Ian Rose to put the merest of touches agonisingly against the post and away.

Rovers doubled their lead though on 57 minutes when Pitson kept his composure to pick out Waldron, who had a simplest of chances. It was end-to-end football by both teams but Rovers showed the sharper and more clinical edge, leading to goals at regular intervals. Micky Beal headed in from close range from Carter’s clever cross and Carter himself finished low past East for 4 – 0.

Harwell pulled a goal back with the move of the match when Danny Lawton ended a long exchange of passes by pulling back for Willis to convert from ten yards. It was a short-lived consolation though as Beal claimed his second moments later to finish the scoring.