Maidenhead United started the New Year by winning and extending their lead at the top of the Vanarama National League South table to ten points.
The Magpies` slipped up on Boxing Day by losing to Wealdstone, but normal service was resumed and with St Albans City suffering a defeat at Oxford City, Alan Devonshire`s side stretched their advantage.
In front of a crowd of 1,282, Maidenhead took revenge on the Stones with goals from top scorer Dave Tarpey 4 minutes after half-time and then Sean Marks with 19 minutes remaining.
Oxford did Maidenhead a huge favour by completing a holiday `double` over St Albans, who dropped to third after a 2-1 defeat at a soggy Marsh Lane.
For their opener of 2017 on a saturated Marsh Lane surface, Oxford City started with the same line-up with which they began the reverse fixture at St Albans City on Boxing Day.
The Hoops started strongly and took the lead on 6 minutes when Reece Fleet fired home from a partial clearance.
St Albans levelled on 52 minutes as veteran striker Jamie Cureton finished well past the advancing Ty Belford.
Their elation was relatively short-lived however, as, just 6 minutes later, a low cross from Jefferson Louis deflected to Stephane Ngamvoulou for an easy finish.
Ebbsfleet started the New Year gained vengeance for Kent rivals Dartford’s Boxing Day victory as a Bradley Bubb strike 4 minutes before half-time was enough to separate the sides.
It was hardly a classic in from of a record Stonebridge Road crowd for a New Year’s Day fixture of 2,564, but the majority won`t care too much as Fleet moved into second place.
Chelmsford City are now fourth after inflicting more damage on bottom-markers Bishop`s Stortford.
The Clarets ran out 3-1 winners at the ProKit UK Stadium to leave the Blues eight points adrift of the safety-mark.
Elliott Buchanan gave the visitors an early 5th minute lead that Aaron Greene responded to within 2 minutes to equalise.
But Buchanan went on to give himself a New Year`s gift of a hat-trick with further strikes in the 21st and then 37th minute from the penalty spot.
Chelmsford moved above Hampton & Richmond Borough, who were held to a 3-3 thriller at the Beveree by Hemel Hempstead Town.
Jake Robinson gave the visitors an 11th minute lead that lasted barely 2 minutes as Brendan Kiernan levelled.
Kiernan then gave the Beavers the lead on the half-hour mark and that was the end of the scoring until 15 minutes from time when Robinson restored parity.
But 5 minutes later, Nathan Collier once again put the hosts ahead.
However, as stoppage time clicked in, they had Christian Jolley sent-off for trwo quickfire bookings.
And they were made to pay as Robinson completed his hat-trick to level matters 5 minutes into added time.
Hungerford Town`s top five hopes took a blow as they were held to a 2-2 Bulpit Lane draw by Bath City.
Six days on from their 1-1 draw on Boxing Day, the Romans fell behind to a James Clark goal on the half-hour mark, which Nick McCootie levelled up 10 minutes after the interval.
Max O’Leary kept out a Stefan Brown penalty to retain parity, but the hosts went back in front soon enough on 75 minutes as Nat Jarvis was credited with the final touch.
However, just 2 minutes later Chas Hemmings headed in a corner to earn City a share of the spoils.
East Thurrock United came from behind for the second time in a week to earn a point against struggling Concord Rangers.
Cameron Norman had headed the Beachboys into a first half injury-time lead.
Ben Marlow ensured it was honours even come the final whistle with a 58th minute equaliser for the Rocks.
Weston-super-Mare moved level on points with Concord after a 4-2 Woodspring Park win over a Truro City side who are just two points above them now.
Dayle Grubb proved to be the Seagulls` hero after Rocky Neal had given the White Tigers an early 4th minute lead.
Grubb levelled on 21 minutes, Jamie Chamberlain added a second on 35 minutes and then Grubb made it 3-1 just 5 minutes into the second half.
Former Eastleigh boss Chris Todd gave the visitors hope with a second with 83 minutes gone on the clock, only for Grubb to complete his hat-trick 5 minutes later.
Welling United also won a `six-pointer` and a holiday `double` over second-bottom Margate to move level on points with Truro.
The Wings followed up Boxing Day`s win at Hartsdown Park with a 5-1 hammering at Park View Road.
Harry Crawford gave the Wings a 17th minute lead that Sean Francis doubled after 25 minutes.
George Oakley made it 3-0 just past the half-hour mark and, after new signing Ira Jackson had netted a reply right on half-time,10 minutes into the second period, Francis notched his second to make it game over.
Adam Coombes made it a nap hand for Welling 10 minutes later.
