Oxford City Stars started the New Year with a 12-5 victory over Bracknell Hornets in the English National Cup on Sunday.

With no fewer than nine players returning to the team after missing the Telford game two weeks ago, Stars took their time to get going but were comfortable winners.

They took the lead through Kris Abbott after two minutes and extended it five minutes later via Simon Ferry, before Bracknell hit back to tie the period at 2-2.

After James Cameron was ejected from the game for his comments to the referee about Bracknell's disruptive tactics, Stars scored early in the second period with a powerplay goal from Ferry, only for Hornets to snatch the lead with two goals.

Oxford equalised just before the halfway mark when Derek Flint opened his account for the afternoon, then Glen West put Stars back into the lead in the 33rd minute.

Two more goals in the last three minutes of the period from Glen West and Abbott saw end the session with a 7-4 advantage.

The third period saw Oxford well on top and further goals followed from Ade Haigh, Flint (2), Paul Donohoe and Andy Cox.

Stars scorers : D Flint 3+3, G West 2+3, K Abbott 2+2, S Ferry 2+1, A Haigh 1+2, A Cox 1+2, P Donohoe 1+2, A Aberhardt 0+1, J Cameron 0+1.