South League

City of Oxford had a nightmare first half in their Middlesex, Berks, Bucks & Oxon Regional game at Richings Park as they crashed to a 9-4 defeat.

They were 7-0 down at the break following a defensive shambles, each one of their defenders guilty of giving the opposition at least one goal.

Considering the half-time score, they rallied quite well, scoring three unanswered goals at the start of the second half.

But the defeat was still a hammering.

City's problems began when their scheduled sweeper was not at the pre-arranged pick-up point, so they had to reshuffle, using midfielder Steve Bates as sweeper instead.

City's goals came from Simon Harrison (2), Andy Bell and 2nd XI player Andy Small on his debut for the first team.

Abingdon were beaten 4-1 by a strong Mill Hill side at Brent Cross.

Mill Hill opened the scoring midway through the first half of the Area Division 1 match when Preston Rutt guided the ball past the Abingdon goalkeeper from 12 yards.

Ten minutes into the second half, the home side increased their lead when Nick Wall found the back of the net with a reverse-stick flick at a penalty corner after the initial strike had been blocked.

Another penalty corner gave Mill Hill their third when Ed Breton's strike, which was going wide, deflected off Abingdon defender David Pegg's foot and into the goal.

Abingdon pulled a goal back when Kev Smith, drew the Mill Hill keeper off his line before playing the ball inside for Andy Maunder to score.

Ten minutes from time, Mike Solomons added the home side's fourth, scoring from close range after a defensive mix-up.

Second-placed Bicester kept up their promotion push by defeating Hendon 2-1, with goals from Matt Marsh and Wayne Dobbins.

Wallingford continued their run of good form with a 3-2 win over Southgate Adelaide in Area Division 2.

Southgate took the lead, but Wallingford's strength told as two well-worked moves left Angus Jones with two chances, and he took them both.

Wallingford increased their lead midway through the second half when Craig Turner scored with a strike from a penalty corner.

Southgate closed the gap five minutes from the end.

Witney held Leighton Buzzard to a 1-1 draw.

Steve Bates put Witney ahead with their first attack of the game after a mazy dribble.

Leighton Buzzard continued to press and equalised from a short corner.

Oxford University got back to winning ways in their first match following the Christmas break, with a 2-1 victory at bottom club Old Cranleighans in Premier Division 1.

Other scores: Fareham 2nd 1, Hawks 2nd 6; Hawks 3rd 9, Horsham 3rd 0; Hawks Senators 3, Guildford Vets 1; Eastcote 3rd 3, City 3rd 1 (C Hall); City Bulls 3 (J Horwood 2, F Nann), Woking Vets 1.