PREMIER Division leaders Ruby Removals were caught cold as the Swindon & District League resumed at the weekend following the Christmas break.

Removals slumped to a heavy 4-0 defeat at home to Stratton Juniors, who have now climbed up to second in the table as a result.

The victory sees Juniors move within one point of the league leaders, with the top four teams in the table all separated by just three points.

Stratton had actually began the new year sitting down in fourth place, but they capitalised on defeats for Ashton Keynes and Bakers Arms to move up the standings.

Ashton Keynes drop from second to third after a 4-2 loss away at Wheatsheaf Stratton, while Bakers Arms were beaten 3-0 on their trip to take on FC Dorcan.

In the last of the top-flight fixtures to take place at the weekend, Lower Stratton shared a 3-3 draw at home to Marlborough Town Reserves, who picked up their first league point of the season in the process after beginning their campaign with seven previous defeats in a row.

Kintbury Rangers Reserves made the most of the delayed return to action for Division One leaders Blunsdon by cutting the gap behind them to just three points following a thumping 10-2 victory away at North Swindon WMC.

Rangers have won all seven of their league games so far this season and still have two games in hand on table-topping Blunsdon.

Highworth Town Development remain in third place after edging their way to a hard-fought 3-2 win away at second-from-bottom Village Inn.

Wroughton Reserves had an easier time of things as they triumphed 3-1 at home to Chiseldon.

Redhouse had no new year issues in Division Two as they pushed their unbeaten record at the top of the table to a 10th game following an emphatic 9-0 thrashing of bottom side Brockhill United at home.

Swindon AFC are Redhouse’s nearest challengers five points back after they kicked off 2019 with a 4-1 victory away at FC Abbeymeads.

Third-placed Spectrum were made to work for three points at the weekend before finally overcoming Bassett Bulldogs 3-2 on the road.

Down Ampney had a much more straight-forward afternoon as they eased to a 4-1 victory at home to Moredon.

It was honours even between Cricklade Town Reserves and Priory Vale as the two sides played out a thrilling 3-3 draw.