HOCKEY: Oxford Hockey Club won their first post-Christmas fixture 4-0 at Maidenhead on Saturday to stay in the hunt for promotion from MBBO Regional 1.
Oxford started brightly, keeping the ball flowing and making inroads into the Maidenhead defence. It wasn’t long before they won a short corner and while the push out went astray, they managed to scramble a second from which Dan Smyth put Oxford 1-0 up. Maidenhead fought back and from a short corner Paul Hewitson pulled off a fine diving save to his right, the only time he would be called on in the entire game.
But the hosts were forced back and after being reduced to 10 men for a trip Dan Bleach made it 2-0 with a diving effort, his reverse stick shot going in off the far post. Smyth then made it 3-0 after a break down the right found him in space. He drove into the D and played the ball into the goal off a combination of defender’s stick, goalkeeper’s shoulder and near post.
After the break Oxford continued to dominate, keeping the ball well and creating chances. There was only one more goal, however, converted by Alex Williams after a great run by Smyth. Oxford now lie second in the league with a game in hand on the top side.
In MBBO Regional 2, Oxford 2nds beat Tring 1st, securing a 3-1 victory with a gritty performance against the bottom-of-the-table side. Andy Small grabbed a brace and Callum MacKenzie the third to set up the win. Oxford 3rds fell at home to Aylesbury 1sts, however, going down 5-2 despite goals for Rich Hughes and Rob Griffiths.
Oxford 4ths beat Wokingham 2nds 2-0 with scores for Huw Tasker and Kevin Wharton, and Oxford 5ths beat Tring 2nds 3-1, with Steve Pritchard, Liam Dyson and Lee Sheldon all getting on the scoresheet.
