REPUBLIC of Chineham mounted an impressive comeback to beat struggling Dayer’s Fine Foods and open up a nine-point gap at the top of the Basingstoke and District Sunday League Division One table.

Tim Wright and Alex Brown had Dayer’s two goals to the good early on, but Steve Aldridge and Rob Palmer struck to pull Chineham level, with Aldridge’s second putting them ahead and Lewis Harris making it 4-2.

Goals from Alex Izzo and Spencer Champ had Soldiers Return two up at half-time at home to South View. Izzo got his second of the game after the break, with Jamie Galpin completing a 4-0 win late on.

Tron and Oakley drew 3-3, with Tron’s goals coming from Gianni Thomas, a Jess Todd header and an own goal.

Division Two leaders FC Everest won 3-1 away at Chineham thanks to goals from Scott Kinge, Jamie Perryman and Aaron Burt. Hampshire Irons beat RAF Odiham Blades 2-1, with UWS beating North Warnborough II by the same score, while Oakley Reserves and New Inn drew 1-1.

The top-of-the-table clash between Eastrop Eagles and Team FC in Division Three ended in a 2-2 draw as the sides cancelled one another out.

Liam Rump bagged a brace and Neil Huddeswell also found the net as bottom side DG Athletic caused an upset, beating AFC Golden Lion 3-0.

Chineham Reserves edged a seven-goal thriller away at Soldiers Return Reserves. Joe Allnutt scored twice for Soldiers, with Matt Buckingham also finding the net, but goals from Caton Deacon, Serge Holland, Robert Sait and Ben Cole earned Chineham all three points.