HOCKEY: Oxford Hockey Club Ladies 2nds were unable to shake off the post-Christmas blues on Saturday, losing their first game of the New Year 6-2 at home to Marlow.
The visitors started brightly and went a goal ahead within the first 10 minutes. Oxford responded well, as Helen Backhouse showed good vision to put a long ball through for Laura Smyth to run onto. Smyth picked up the ball in the 25, dribbled into the D, beat a defender and then the 'keeper to slot home.
Marlow replied immediately to go 2-1 up and added a third before half-time. Oxford improved in the second half, winning several penalty corners with good work up front from Smyth, together with Kim Haynes, Martha Foster and Lydia Farrell.
Katie Smith converted one of the corners with a hard strike into the bottom left corner, and Haynes was unlucky not to add a third when she came close with a deflection at the left post. Marlow continued to attack, however, and their better finishing saw them add three more to run out comfortable winners.
