A FLYING start was crucial as Oxford City Stars claimed their first victory of the season with an 8-5 success against Streatham at Oxpens.

The hosts, who had seven different players finding the net, raced into a 5-0 lead by the 28th minute of the National League South Division 1 clash.

It gave Streatham a mountain to climb which proved too steep, despite them narrowing the gap.

Oxford began brightly and took a grip with two quick goals in the first seven minutes.

Darren Elliott picked out Josh Oliver with a perfectly-timed pass and the Stars No 7 expertly found the net.

Michael Whillock made it 2-0 after good work from Joe Edwards.

Stars netminder Tom Annetts was on top form to keep Streatham, whose penalty count was rising, at bay.

Elliott and Alan Green struck the post, but Josh Oliver made no mistake in the 16th minute to send the home side in 3-0 up at the first interval.

The pattern of Annetts excelling and Stars taking their chances continued into the second period.

Elliott, who created the third goal, laid on the fourth for Jake Florey to rip a shot in from the blue line.

The penalties mounted again and after a spell of four-versus-four, Joe Edwards stepped out of the box to accept a glorious pass from Green to give Stars a commanding 5-0 lead.

Belatedly, Streatham stirred.

Adam Wood, Christopher Wiggins and Sean Scarborough reduced the arrears to 5-3, although Ben Ealey-Newman gave Stars a three-goal lead.

Streatham were also hit at the end of the second period by losing Wood for the rest of the match for making what was described as an obscene gesture towards the home fans after being sent to the sin bin for slashing.

Despite being short-handed, the visitors struck through Michal Oravec, who made it 6-4.

Still on the powerplay, Stars responded when Pekarik set up Ben Nethersell to give them some breathing space.

The victory was effectively sealed with 13 minutes remaining.

Elliott and Nethersell combined to carve out an opportunity for Pekarik to make it 8-4.

Streatham had the final say when Joseph Johnston found the net, but it was just a consolation.

A day earlier, Ben Ealey-Newman struck with four seconds remaining to earn Oxford City Stars a 3-3 draw at Bracknell Hornets in their opening National League South 1 BBO Cup game.

The visitors trailed 3-1 with seven minutes remaining, but Pekarik pulled one back to set up the late drama.

An injury to a Bracknell player forced a lengthy stoppage in the first period.

When play resumed Stars went ahead, thanks to a lovely wrist shot from Ben Ealey-Newman, after Pekarik’s pass.

Visiting netminder made an outstanding save to preserve the lead, but Hornets enjoyed the best of the second period.

Players on both sides served penalties as the game caught light, with Green heading to the bin with Bracknell’s Luke Reynolds after a fight.

The hosts already had a player off the ice, but despite being short-handed they drew level through Ryan Handisides, who scored again to give Hornets a 2-1 lead.

It got worse for the visitors when Jaroslav Kucej stretched the advantage with a powerplay goal in the 44th minute.

Stars hit back and their pressure paid off when Pekarik beat netminder Daniel Milton.

Hornets thought they had weathered the storm, only for Ben Ealey-Newman to pop up just before the buzzer to earn a share of the points.