OXFORD Hawks’ brilliant fightback from 3-0 down ultimately proved in vain as they lost 4-3 at home to Bromley & Beckenham in South League Premier Division 1.

Dominating the early stages with neat moves that Hawks struggled to pick up, Bromley raced into a 3-0 lead in the first 15 minutes, one of the goals coming from a penalty.

Hawks, however, resolutely dragged themselves back into the game and started to assert themselves on the Bromley defence, which did not look as robust as their attack.

A Jack Biggs penalty corner towards the end of the first half suggested that all might not be lost.

Hawks’ resurgence continued after the break with goals from Ted Bennett and another Biggs penalty corner to make it 3-3.

The result looked odds on a draw, but in the last minute Hawks turned the ball over cheaply and Bromley broke away to score the winner to break home hearts.

Dan Bleach hit a double as Oxford came from behind to beat leaders Wycombe 2-1 in Middlesex, Berks, Bucks & Oxon Regional 1.

Oxford controlled the game for long periods, but fell behind to a break away goal early in the second half following a defensive error on the halfway line.

But then Bleach struck twice to lift Oxford up to fourth.

Witney suffered two sucker punches early on as they lost 3-1 at home to South Berkshire in Middlesex, Berks, Bucks & Oxon Division 1.

Ryan Fitz-John reverse flicked a shot past the South Berkshire keeper to reduce the arrears.

Despite dominating the second half and forcing numerous corners, Witney could not find the net and the visitors sealed the victory with a soft goal.

Witney scored a resounding 5-1 away to Wootton Wanderers in the first round of English HA Men’s Vase on Sunday.

The Northampton-based home side, who play two levels below Witney, proved no match for the visitors.

Goals from Ben Wells, Dan Wallis, Fraser Bernard and Fitz-John put Witney 4-1 ahead at half-time.

Fitz-John added his second after the break, diverting the ball into the roof of the net.

OTHER MEN’S RESULTS

Oxford Hawks 2nd 3 (D Bennett, M Sowter, J Ward), Maidenhead 2; Oxford Hawks 3rd 2 (E Baldock, T Webster), Slough 7; Oxford Hawks 4th 5 (C Plumptre 2, C Maidlow, R Manson, L Piper), Abingdon 3; Oxford Hawks 5th 2 (L Green, S Hudson|), South Berkshire 3rd 5; Oxford Hawks 6th 2 (C Darby, M Shirley), Maidenhead Magicians 1; Oxford Hawks 7th 5 (W Smith 2, F Smith 2, D White), Reading Rascals 2; Oxford Hawks Falcons 5 (S Smith, P Dunnill, S Griffiths, P Bennett, R Warner),Woking Pitts 2; Oxford 2nd 1 (D Smyth), Sonning 7; Oxford 3rd 7 (J Burke 2, R Rientjes 2, C Brown, J Cowen d’Arcy, S Volans), Leighton Buzzard 4; Oxford 4th 1 (M Neville), West Hampstead 5th 0; Oxford 5th 8 (K Wharton 3, G Cadman 3, B Foulkes, S Mercer), Ramgarhia 2nd 0; Oxford 6th 2 (M Bramall, E Cromwell), Ashford 3rd 1; Oxford 7th 1 (R Harding), Tring 2nd 4; Oxford 8th 0, Newbury & Thatcham 4th 8; Oxford 9th 0, Henley 4th 2; Reading Univ 2, Witney 2nd 1 (J Taylor); Witney 3rd 2 (M Godwin 2), Reading 6th 2.