Oxford City Stars picked up their first victory in South Division 1 after a thrilling 6-5 success at home to Wightlink Raiders.

Josh Oliver hit a brace, with goals from Jamie Newton, James Pentecost, Darren Elliott and Dax Hedges ensured Stars got off the mark for the season at the third attempt.

An edgy start saw Oxford’s foreign import Zsolt Mastaleriu pick up an early penalty, but his side came through unscathed and started to put their mark on the game.

Pentecost hit a post with one shot, but Stars were not to be denied, the same player setting up Newton to score his first goal for the club.

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Buoyed by their lead, Oxford pushed on in the second period, producing some great hockey.

Pentecost found the net to double the advantage, before Josh Oliver converted a pass from brother Nick for No 3.

A shell-shocked Whitelink team hardly had time to regroup before Newton fed Elliott to make it 4-0.

When Josh Oliver scored his second to put Stars five goals ahead, the contest looked all over.

However, Jaroslav Cesky pulled one goal back and then two further efforts in the space of 41 seconds changed the context of the match.

Cesky scored his second and then, with 0.5 seconds of the period remaining, Ryan Webb made it 5-3.

Hedges gave Stars breathing space by restoring their three-goal advantage with a fine strike early in the third period, but Wightlink refused to throw in the towel.

With three minutes left, Alex Barker fired home from a tight angle to make it 6-4.

Raiders got another back with 22 seconds left on the clock through Carl Graham.

But Stars successfully played out time to record a confidence-boosting victory.

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