English National League

Joe Edwards scored a hat-tr-rick as Oxford City Stars hammered Milton Keynes Thunder 9-3.

This was despite Stars already having secured their place in the Division 1 South play-offs.

Stars, who were without inspirational captain Darren Elliott, gave several fringe players the chance to shine.

Player-coach Ken Forshee slotted past Mark Woolfe for Stars’ opener on four minutes.

Ex-Thunder player Paul Gore grabbed the assist and, four minutes later, went one better to find the net himself.

Dean Francis and Shannon Taylor scored to make it 4-0.

Thoughts of a shut-out proved a little premature as Tom Davis shot past James Skaife to put Thunder on the scoreboard.

Stars forward Edwards completed the scoring in the first period, which saw Oxford lead 5-1.

Oxford were even more dominant in the second period.

They were rewarded for their hard work with goals from Richard Wojciak and a second from Edwards.

They were separated by a second for Thunder, scored by their man-of-the-match Mike Knights.

The contest was over before the final period in which both teams replaced their starting netminders, with Tom Devey taking over for Oxford.

Davis bagged his second goal for Milton Keynes. Edwards completed his treble and Oxford’s man-of-the-match Mike Lucas wrapped up the scoring.