BELL Inn 98 maintained their lead at the top of thesoccersite.co.uk Malvern Football League on Sunday but Oak Allstars and Cross Keys gained full points to stay hot on their heels.

Allstars, however, made very hard work of it. Visiting Fromes Hill, they left it until almost the last minute to score the only goal of the game.

Bell Inn had no such problems. They went at Ganglands with the confidence which comes from knowing they are through to the President's Cup final later this month. Two goals from Chris Grubb, one each from Pat Locke and Ashley Jones plus a first of the season by Leon Roberts gave them a 5-1 interval lead. In the middle of Bell's goal rush, Tom Bethel had scored an outstanding effort and the post had thwarted Ganglands on two occasions.

After the break, the woodwork again prevented a Ganglands score. Meanwhile, Chris Grubb was grabbing two more to complete his hat-trick and a second from Ashley Jones helped Bell to finish 8-2 winners.

Cross Keys visited Talbot Head and had to wait until late in the first half before opening their account. Rob Cullen gave them the lead and two minutes later Ollie Endacott added to the tally. In the second period, Cross Keys played with more confidence and Rob Cullen scored twice more to get his hat-trick. Andrew Hurrell completed the scoring for Keys while Tom Hofton scored for Talbot Head on 80 minutes. However, it was only a token and Cross Keys went home 5-1 winners with the championship still in sight.

On a day of hat-tricks, Andy Lampitt of Keyz04 was not to be outdone. He rattled in three, including a penalty, in the first half of their game against Ledbury Rangers. In the second half, Nick Lampitt added a fourth goal and a score from Alan Cook was the most Rangers could muster as Keyz04 ran out 5-1 winners.

Dynamo Ledbury and Morgan Aero8 provided an entertaining game which flowed from end to end. It was Morgan who eventually triumphed 3-1 but Dynamo felt disappointed that their efforts were not better rewarded. Dave Lawrence gave Morgan a 1-0 half-time lead and the same player increased the deficit ten minutes into the second period. Each time, Dynamo's offside trap was found wanting. Pete Boyle pulled one back for Dynamo with a header following a corner. But a goal from James Argent sealed the game for Morgan to complete a 3-1 victory.

Belmont Keys entertained Fromes Hill Reserves and this game looked like ending in the only draw of the day until the last minute. Fromes Hill took the lead through Chris Jones, who scored with an outstanding shot. Rob Jones equalised for Belmont and then gave his side a 2-1 lead. Back came Fromes Hill and Alan Richards sent the teams in for half- time level at 2-2.

Stalemate reigned during the second period but Rob Jones, no doubt hearing that hat-tricks were being scored elsewhere, added his name to the list with a last minute winner to give Belmont Keys the points by 3-2.

In the final game of the day, Oak Misfits beat their close neighbours Oak Academy 5-1.

Oak Allstars played Ledbury Rangers under lights on Monday evening and their resulting 5-0 victory saw them go to the top-of-the-table and end Bell Inn 98's 19-week run as league leaders, stretching back to November 20.

Following their last-gasp win at Fromes Hill, Oak Allstars started much more determined and led 4-0 at half-time with goals from David Zakotti, Martin Loveridge, Jamie Gladwin and, inevitably, a goal from the league's top scorer Jamie James.

A determined second-half display by Ledbury Rangers saw them restrict their high-flying neighbours to a solitary goal but that itself was the best goal of the night as Anthony Bradford fired in an unstoppable shot from 25 yards.

THE next meeting of the league is on Monday (April 10) at the Civil Service Club, starting at 7.30pm.