Bicester gave hosts Sonning a big scare before going down to a 3-2 defeat in the EHA Vase on Sunday.

Despite having only 11 players available against opponents from a division above in the South League, Bicester made the early running.

They twice took the lead through Dave Sutcliffe and Will Hartley.

After the break, Sonning equalised with a penalty flick and snatched victory with a late deflected goal.

The previous day, Bicester’s losing streak in Middlesex, Berks, Bucks & Oxon Division 1 continued with a 5-2 defeat at home to leaders Amersham & Chalfont.

The visitors raced into a 3-0 lead, but the hosts fought back to 3-2 before half time.

Sutcliffe lobbed the Amersham keeper, and Ben Kirk scored a wonderful goal.

Bicester knew the first goal after half-time was key. But Amersham scored it and added a fifth near the end.

Other men’s scorers: Banbury 3rd 2, Bicester 2nd 1 (S Adams); Bicester 3rd 4 (N Styles 3, C Bloxham), OMT 4th 1; Sonning 7th 0, Bicester 4th 6 (H Whates 2, A Lenihan, C Birch, A Edwards, C Fox).

 Bicester Ladies lost 6-0 away to leaders Reading 2nd in the Trysports Three Counties League Premier 1.

It was always going to be a difficult fixture, but Bicester’s defence, directed by Paula Burgess, worked hard to limit the damage.