OXFORD City Stars showed no mercy to basement side Lee Valley Lions – closing in on the South Division 2 leaders in the process.

Kenny Redmond’s side cruised to a 13-3 victory away from home.

And with table-toppers Chelmsford Chieftains suffering an overtime defeat against Bristol Pitbulls, Stars moved a point nearer the summit.

They are now three adrift of the Essex side, but have two gams in hand.

“While it wasn’t a great spectacle, we secured another important two points on the road and boosted our goal tally,” said the Stars head coach.

“It’s close at the top of the table and we now have a free weekend and time to prepare for our trip to Solent.

“We know that is a difficult place to go, so we will need to be on top form.”

A storming start from Stars saw them out of reach after just 11 minutes.

Goals from Matt Lawday, Michal Oravec, Tom Davis, Darren Elliott and Josh Oliver put them 5-0 ahead.

The hosts did hit back though, Joseph Berry giving Lee Valley a glimmer of hope by the end of the opening period.

However, Stars regained control and Joe Edwards (2), Jake Florey and Lee Richardson, sandwiched by a Tomas Hnilica goal for Lee Valley, put Stars 9-2 ahead after 40 minutes.

The final period was no different, with Lawday and Oravec both notching their second of the game within the first three minutes, before Lawday then completed his hat-trick.

A Joseph Berry strike reduced the deficit, but the icing on the cake came from Harry Harrison, who scored his first senior goal to make it 13-3.

“It was great to see Harry scoring his first senior goal – it was a special moment for a local lad and his family,” said Redmond.

“We’re committed to developing youngsters at Oxford and it was a proud moment for everyone at the club.”