Oxford Hawks’ disappointing run in Premier Division 1 of the South League continued with a 2-0 home reverse against Brighton.
The result came on the back of defeats on successive days the previous weekend.
Hawks started brightly, winning two short corners in the opening ten minutes but they failed to capitalise. Brighton went ahead on ten minutes after a long-ball move, a tactic that caused Hawks problems. The visitors should have gone further ahead, but were thwarted by some weak finishing and a fine save by home keeper Dave Jones.
Hawks were not helped when Nick Lamb pulled a hamstring and Dom Roche turned an ankle over, both players having to leave the field.
They battled hard in the second half, led by Matt Richardson, and should have drawn level after hitting the bar, while two further short corners were to no avail. Brighton won their one and only short corner of the match and scored their second goal to wrap up the points.
Goals from Andy Wynd, Dan Smyth and Matt McKeown earned Oxford a 3-2 victory over Sonning to stay joint top of MBBO Regional Division 1.
Oxford dominated early on and went ahead when Wynd picked up the rebound after a save from the Sonning keeper.
The second half followed much the same pattern, Oxford getting a second goal when Smyth beat the keeper at his near post. Sonning hit back to make it 2-2, but Oxford had the last word from a short corner when McKeown’s low flick found the bottom corner.
Adam Buxey’as fifth goal of the season earned Bicester a hard-earned 1-0 win at unbeaten leaders Milton Keynes 2nd. OTHER RESULTS.
Oxford Hawks 2nd 1, PHC Chiswick 0; Oxford Hawks 3rd 5 (J Clark 2, J Rogers, S Dawson, T Simpson), Sonning 0; Oxford Hawks 4th 3, Staines 4th 1; Oxford Hawks 5th 5 (A Robbins, A Bentley, C Darby, M Lumb, P Kynaston), Bracknell 3rd 3; Oxford Hawks 6th 7 (T Best 3, Z Berg 2, F Dunleavy, S Smith), Sonning 6th 1; Oxford Hawks Senators 3, Teddington Vets 1; Oxford Hawks Falcons 2 (D Hughes, R Warner), Windsor Vets 1; Oxford 2nd 4 (M Oakes 3, E Collins), Eastcote 2nd 3; Oxford 3rd 6 (A Small 4, A Bull, D Layen), Maidenhead 2nd 0; Oxford 4th 4 (B Hudson 3, J Burke), Slough 2nd 3; Oxford 5th 1 (K Sims), West Hamp-stead 4th 5; Oxford 6th 2 (P Charrett, J Cowen-Darcy), Harrow 3; Oxford 7th 1 (G Cadman), Newbury & Thatcham 3rd 0; Oxford 8th 5, Harrow 2nd 1; Oxford Hamsters 2 (K Walker 2), Banbury Piranhas 2; Oxford 9th 0, Bicester 4th 2.
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