ICE HOCKEY: Oxford City Stars were beaten 7-4 by the Wightlink Raiders at Oxpens Road on Sunday night in ENL South 2.
The Stars had the better of the opening exchanges and Nick Oliver had an early shot saved for the hosts. Oxford took the lead after a move down the left was finished off by Joe Oliver, with an assist from Warren Jones. Martin Goddard equalised for the visitors after skating almost unchallenged through the Oxford defence.
But Sam Broughton put Oxford back in front when he converted a chance at the back post, with Jones again getting the assist. But with just seconds to the end of the quarter the Raiders got themselves back on level terms at 2-2, with James Lee finishing off the move.
And the visitors went ahead for the first time in the match when Andy Robinson charged down the right and shot into the top left hand corner. Robinson quickly made it 4-2 with his second of the evening to leave the Stars up against it.
James Clarke reduced the deficit when he picked up his own rebound and Oxford began to look more dangerous. Jacob Smith hit the post, and then Joe Oliver saw his effort saved by the Raiders' netminder.
But then Aaron Edwards extended the visitors' lead with a shot in from the slot and Wightlink went into the final third 5-3 up. It looked all over when Ricky Attrill added Wightlink's sixth goal of the evening but with nine minutes remaining Marlon Williams scored for Oxford with a shot from the blue line and it was game on. But penalties went against Oxford who conceded another goal late as the Raiders ran out winners.
