Oxton bounce back with victory against Crewe

Feb 16 2011 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

AFTER last week’s dismal performance and surprising defeat at home to Durham University, which effectively killed off any remaining promotion hopes, Oxton men’s hockey first team bounced back with a comfortable 5-2 win at Crewe in the Northern Premier League.

After weathering early pressure Oxton took the lead on 10 minutes when Ali McKenzie finished well following good work on the base-line by fit-again Dave Given. Crewe hit back shortly afterwards when they caught Oxton on the break; the Crewe forward finished well despite the Oxton attempts to clear the danger.

Just before half-time Oxton again deservedly took the lead with the goal of the day; slick, accurate passing by captain Gordon Moore and Sam Cooke released McKenzie in the area and he finished emphatically from an acute angle.

In the second half Crewe began to tire and the visitors’ superior fitness became a major factor.

Defender Huw Collins extended their lead from a short corner and then McKenzie completed his hat-trick with a fine reverse strike after being set up by Cooke’s surging run into the area.

Ali Parkes made it five for Oxton when he tapped in a cross from Jon Hodgkinson who enjoyed one his best games of the season.

Near the end, and with Oxton pressing, Crewe again broke away and from the resulting short corner scored a consolation goal.

Oxton travel to take on University of Leeds this coming Saturday hoping to claim another three points.

Elsewhere the second team continued their promotion surge with a 7-0 win over Bebington; Joe Hillyer 3, captain Chris Lovell, Rich Gibson, Alex Lamb and Ben Russell with the goals.

The fifth team drew their sixth game of the season against Chester fourths; despite leading 2-0 through goals from Rob Dellius and Tom Scott they trailed 3-2 against until the last minute when Sam Dewey grabbed a last minute leveller to share the points.