RICKY Johnson hit a first-half hat-trick as Banbury United secured a 3-1 victory over Mangotsfield United in Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West.

Saturday’s win stretched their unbeaten league run to nine games.

Banbury took the lead on 19 minutes, when Johnson converted Leam Howards’ cross.

And Johnson scored his second on 41 minutes.

There was time for the striker to grab his third before the break, smashing home Darius Browne’s cut back.

Banbury went close to scoring a fourth just two minutes into the second half when Howards was denied by Kieran Preston.

Howards was then denied a goal by the offside flag.

The visitors pulled one back on 53 minutes through Ryan Batten, and nearly grabbed a second when Ben Brooks hit a post.

The Puritans were relatively comfortable until stoppage time, when Lewis Hogg’s free-kick hit the woodwork.

Banbury United: Harding, White, Steedman, Martin, Wise, Gunn, McEachran, Nash, Johnson, Howards (Joyce 76), Browne (Kalakoutis 85). Subs not used: Cox, Partner, Blackstock.