DESPITE having only eight players on the pitch at one stage, Oxford Hawks opened their South League Premier Division 1 campaign with a 2-1 victory at Purley Walcountians.

After having one efort disallowed, Hawks took the lead just before half-time, when Kit Cutter netted from all of four inches after some deft stickwork from debutant Chris Lim.

There was still time before the break for Purley to equalise.

The second half started slowly, but with a few interesting umpiring decisions, both teams started losing players.

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At one point there were only eight Hawks players on the pitch, but they had returned to their full complement, when a slick move found Chris Hardy, who scored the winning goal from an acute angle.

Hawks closed out the match without alarm.

Bicester made a flying start in Middlesex, Berks, Bucks & Oxon Division 1 by romping to a 5-0 success at home to OMT 2nd.

Star of the show was new captain Jonny Reid, who scored two goals and set up another for new player-coach Andy Brown.

Luke Smith also scored as Bicester went into half-time leading 4-0.

The hosts soaked up the pressure well in the second half and limited OMT to one shot, which was cleared off the line by CJ Birtles.

Bicester added to their tally as Ian Oak got in on the act with a tidy finish after good work by Dave Sutcliffe.

Oxford Hawks 2nd went down 1-0 at home to Oxford in their local derby.

In Division 2, Witney lost 1-0 at Aylesbury, after a nightmare journey delayed by a road accident.

Witney restricted their strong hosts to just one superb reverse volley of a goal, but were unable to profit at the other end despite some close chances.

OTHER MENS RESULTS

Oxford Hawks 3rd 2, Newbury & Thatcham 7; Oxford Hawks 4th 1 (T McCarthy), Eastcote 3rd 2; Oxford Hawks 5th 1, Harrow 7; Oxford Hawks 6th 3 (B Morrison, A Robbins, M Shirley), Eastcote 5th 2; Oxford Hawks 7th 2, Reading Rov 6; Witney 2nd 6 (T Yallop 2, F Liddell, 2, W Briggs, T Brown), Henley 2nd 1; Witney 3rd 1 (J Taylor), Ealing Lions 6; Bicester 3rd 3 (R Fogden, N Styles, P English), Maidenhead Magicians 2.

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