Oxford City Stars made a strong start to their English National League campaign with a 7-1 win over last season's league runners-up Bracknell at Oxpens Road rink on Sunday.

Stars dominated the early play, scoring the first goal on five minutes when Dan Prachar finished off a slick move.

A second goal came after 13 minutes when Darren Elliott converted a rebound off the post with the goalie stranded, before Dan Cox reduced the arrears.

Stars restored the two goal cushion when Andrew Shurmer moved up from the back and converted a pass from fellow defenceman Nick Eden.

The second period started quietly and was more than half over when Prachar scored a solo effort for Oxford's fourth, foll.owed by another from defenceman Dave Carr.

Man-of-the-match Andy Cox, whose elusive skills made several Bracknell players look silly throughout the game as they missed bodychecks on him, scored a powerplay goal in the third period.

Oxford had been using all of their bench strength throughout and it was fitting that a minute later, the final goal was scored by Ben Lay with an assist from Marlon Williams.

Both youngsters had worked tirelessly throughout the match.

Stars' scorers: D Prachar 2+3, A Shurmer 1+2, A Cox 1+1, D Elliott 1+1, D Carr 1+0, B Lay 1+0, N Eden 0+1, M Williams 0+1, D Flint 0+1.