Purley Walcountians 4 bt Oxford University 1

Purley Walcountians moved to within one point of the South Premier Division One leaders on Saturday afternoon after a comfortable victory over Oxford University at the Old Walcountians Sports Club in Carshalton.

An impressive hat-trick from striker Lachlan Fincher secured the points and extended Walcountians unbeaten run since their only defeat of the season to league leaders City of Portsmouth.

The game was barely underway when Fincher struck his first goal and it was not long before he doubled it to set up a commanding lead which killed the game as a contest.

The Walcountians defence was rarely troubled by Oxford University because the midfield had a stranglehold on the game. And Gareth Dunn in the Purley goal had one his quietest games this season.

Fincher scored his hat-trick with a well struck shot just after half-time and 20 minutes later his strike partner Nick Champness wrapped up the rout with Purley's fourth.

Oxford University did score a late consolation goal but it was too little, too late.

Manager Pat Smyth said afterwards: "It was a well deserved victory which sets us up for the top of the table clash against league leaders Portsmouth in January."

November 28, 2001 16:00