HOCKEY: Banbury move off the bottom at last (From Oxford Mail)

HOCKEY: Banbury move off the bottom at last

12:40pm Tuesday 24th January 2012 in Hockey

Banbury are off the bottom of men’s South League Premier 1 after recording their first win since October 15 with a 2-1 triumph over relegation rivals Milton Keynes.

Josh Nunneley put them ahead after good work from George Brooker, while at the other end, Milton Keynes were limited to one half-chance, with veterans Tom Slay and Richard Foreman in impressive form.

A cross from Tyson Nunneley was deflected into the net on the reverse stick by late call-up Craig Irvine with five minutes left to make it 2-0 and although Jamie Dodd reduced the arrears at the death, Banbury’s celebrations could begin.

Dave Cresswell was in red-hot scoring form with a four-timer as Oxford Hawks triumphed 5-1 away to Slough 2nd to stay top of Premier Division 2.

Hawks struggled to find their rhythm on a slow pitch, but still led 3-1 at the break thanks to two goals from Cresswell and another from Adam LePage. Cresswell added two more to his tally in the second half.

Oxford handed out a 4-0 lesson to Maidenhead in their first game since the Christmas break to stay in the hunt for promotion from MBBO Regional 1.

Dan Smyth put the visitors ahead and after a quick reposte by Maidenhead was foiled by keeper Paul Hewitson – his only action of the game – Dan Bleach made it 2-0 with a diving effort, and Smyth increased the advantage to 3-0 at the interval.

After the break, Oxford continued to dominate, adding No 4 through Alex Williams to move up to second in the table.

Goals from Tim Hardy (2), Justin Peel (2) and Ben Wells earned Witney a comfortable victory over Amersham & Chalfont. It keeps them third in Regional Division 2.

Bicester were outgunned 4-0 at home by Maidenhead 2nd in MBB&O Division 1. All the goals came in the second half.

OTHER RESULTS.

Oxford 2nd 3 (A Small 2, C MacKenzie), Tring 1; Aylesbury 5, Oxford 3rd 2 (R Hughes, R Griffiths); Oxford 4th 2 (H Tasker, K Wharton), Wokingham 2nd 0; Oxford 5th 3 (S Pritchard, L Dyson, L Sheldon), Tring 2nd 1; Oxford Hawks Fledglings 4 (F Webster 2, R Oldershaw, P Bennett), Oxford 6th 3 (A Chaudray, E Howes, A Vann); Oxford 7th 3 (J Williams 2, D Kingsland), Slough 3rd 2; Oxford 8th 3 (T Henricksen 2, J Fisher), Wycombe 7th 2; Oxford Hamsters 2 (M Carter, C Lewis), Wycombe 6th 5; Oxford 9th 6, Wokingham 4th 2; Oxford Hawks 2nd 1, Marlow 0; Sonning 2nd 2, Oxford Hawks 3rd 0; Oxford Hawks 4th 6 (R Venables 4, A Spittles, J Black), Henley 0; Oxford Senators 6, West Wilts Vets 3; Oxford Hawks Falcons 2 (I Sobey, G Roper), Polytechnic Vets 2; Thame 8, Witney 2nd 0; Witney 3rd 1 (A Birnie), Windsor 2nd 0; Maidenhead 5th 1, Witney 4th 4 (B Moss, S Hook, P Button, R Moore).