ROCK bottom Ghana Stars put up a brave fight but slipped to a fifth Senior Division defeat in six games with a 4-3 reverse at home to Whitley Tavern, writes Richard Ashton.

Dee Road Rangers went top following their 2-1 win against Reading YMCA.

Kidmore End climbed to second following a comfortable 4-1 victory against Emmer Green, and inconsistent Reading Irish toppled Southcote 4-1.

Tilehurst Club were hammered 6-2 by Kennington Athletic in the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup, while Barton Rovers advanced after X Keys conceded their game.

In the Junior Cup, Craig Haylett scored twice and Ellis Mason was also on target as Richfield Rovers Reserves won 3-1 at Athletico Forest.

FC Woodley beat AFC Kintbury 4-3, AFC Pangbourne overcame AFC Burghfield 4-1 and Le Galaxy annihilated Waverley Rangers 8-1.

Woodley Wanderers obliterated AFC Crowthorne by the same scoreline.

In the Premier Division, Woodley United produced an outstanding performance to record their second victory of the season, winning 5-2 at Purley.

United went in front on eight minutes when Loic Srodawa rounded off a swift counter-attack involving Chris Timbers and Brodie Davies.

Purley continued to press but found Harvey Detonon and Sam Cialis in fine form at the back for Woodley, and their side doubled their lead when man-of-the-match Arran Wells crossed for Davies to nod home.

Timbers made it 3-0 after connecting with a Dan Blatchford corner, but Purley pulled a goal back just before the break.

Woodley made it 4-1 on 52 minutes when James Timbers set up Srodawa for his second, and his tally was matched by Davies who put United 5-1 to the good.

And although Purley cut the gap on 78 minutes, they were unable to avoid defeat.

Second-placed Burghfield eased past Tilehurst YM 4-0, and unbeaten Roebuck defeated D.C. Steamers 3-1.

Division One leaders Mortimer worked hard in their 2-1 success at home to Charvil Rangers, while S.C. United crushed Polonia Reading 7-1.

In Division Two, Pangbourne & Basildon Barbarians beat WS Hobnob 2-0, and Arborfield and Imaan FC shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw.

Division Three East leaders Eldon Celtic made it eight wins from eight with an emphatic 8-1 destruction of F.C. Berksalona, and they are nine points clear after rivals Just Play United lost 2-0 at The Grosvenor.

Spencers Wood overcame basement boys East Reading Royals 4-2, while Forest F.C. won 3-0 at Loddon Valley Rangers Reserves.

Tilehurst Club Reserves are four points clear at the top of Division Three West following a 5-3 victory at Whitley Athletic.

Second-placed Reading Town lost 2-1 at home to AFC Basildon, Southbank Reserves crushed Woolhampton CFC 7-0 and Tilehurst Titans cruised past 116 Exiles Reserves 3-0.

Division Four East table-toppers Kings United thrashed Kennet Valley Reserves 4-0, Borussia Teeth destroyed Caversham United 5-1 and South Reading enjoyed a 4-1 success at home to Fox & Hounds.

Delta Vigo drew 1-1 with Six Bells.

Winless Westfield Athletic suffered an eighth straight defeat in Division Four West, going down 4-1 at home to The Bugle.

Leaders YPFC hammered New England 7-3, 116 Exiles A won 4-3 against Burghfield Reserves, and Southcote Colts beat Mortimer Reserves 2-1.

AFC Pangbourne Reserves secured victory against Kennet Valley, winning 3-1.