Bracknell Hornets 6, Oxford City Stars 4

Oxford City Stars lost this English Cup tie but they nevertheless felt it was a satisfactory run-out in their build-up towards the coming league season.

Stars had already taken the decision to use it as a pre-season warm-up because of delays in bringing the full squad together.

Andy Cox James Cameron was the only top-line forward available and both imports were missing.

Oxford's lack of firepower told with Luke Plasted unable to convert several chances.

Bracknell scored in the 15th minute when Glen West capitalised on a power-play with an unassisted goal.

Bracknell's second came after 25 minutes when Andy Johnston scored after a defensive error, and when Oxford conceded a third, scored by Simon Griffiths, it looked as though the Hornets might pull out of sight.

However, in the last minute of the half, Oxford snapped up two power-play goals. The first came from new defenceman Simon Ferry after he was set up by Paul Donohoe, and the second when Andy Cox converted after a build-up involving Steve Cameron and Donohoe.

Bracknell responded with another goal from Glen West, followed by a powerplay marker from Chris West.

James Roberts was ejected after fighting with Bracknell's Adam Hymen, but Cox scored an unassisted short-handed goal 30 seconds after the restart and Oxford survived the rest of the seven-minute powerplay without conceding.

Cameron scored Oxford's fourth, with help from Cox, but tiredness told as Hymen made the game safe for Bracknell.

**Oxford scorers: A Cox 2+1, J Cameron 1+0, S Ferry 1+0, P Donohoe 0+2, S Cameron 0+1.