Kieran Sanders hit a hat-trick to fire Oxfordshire Under 16s to the top of the table in the Midland Counties Youth Championship with a 4-2 win over Staffordshire at Rushall Olympic FC.

On an uneven surface, Oxon's teamwork and passing game earned them a deserved win.

Sanders gave early notice of his intentions with a shot over the bar.

And in the eighth minute, he made the breakthough from 15 yards following a good cross from Milton United teammate Danny Lewis.

Staffs equalised in the 20th minute when Dean's deflected shot left Oxon keeper Josh Bourton with no chance.

A six-minute stoppage then followed with the linesman feeling ill.

But once play resumed, Sanders restored Oxon's lead with a shot from the edge of the box, which took a slight deflection.

Oxon went further ahead early in the second half when Bloxham's John Danby buried a shot from 20 yards.

And Sanders completed his hat-trick in the 64th minute when he ran onto a through ball from Northway's Rhys Veal to slip the ball past the advancing keeper.

Rob Hoskins was unlucky not to add to Oxon's tally with a shot which just cleared the bar, before a defensive mistake let in Sturgess for Staffs' second goal on 73 minutes.

Sanders was presented with the signed match ball at the aftermatch reception, and now Oxon are looking forward to their remaining games at home to Birmingham and away to Herefordshire.