Easy Chalmers played a leading role as depleted Oxford City Stars cruised to a 5-1 victory in their second English League South match of the season against Romford Spitfires.

Stars went into the game missing Andrew Cox and Alan Green, but had the crowd on their feet after just one minute with a goal from captain Darren Elliott.

But after four minutes, Elliott was sent off after a head-on collision with Romford's Jon Gray.

The game was held up for 20 minutes as Gray waited for an ambulance. He was taken to hospital with a suspected splintered kneecap.

On resumption, Stars upped the tempo, and in the 13th minute, Joe Oliver netted his first senior goal for Oxford to give them a 2-0 lead.

However, they were dealt with another blow as defenceman Paul Donohoe had to leave the ice with a leg injury.

Stars started the second period without four key players, but the young team defendeded well.

Then they hit Romford with a third goal when Chalmers used his lightning speed before firing home.

The last period did not start well for Stars, with Sean Martin reducing the arrears from Dan Fudger's assist, but this was the wake-up call Stars needed.

David Gregory restored the three-goal advantage in the 55th minute as he broke from the halfway line to score into the top-right corner.

Then three minutes from time, Dean Francis grabbed Oxford's fifth goal from a powerplay with assists from Chalmers and Oliver.

After the match, Stars' head coach Darryl Morvan said: "I can't say much about Darren being sent off, as the officials may take more action with more match penalties.

"The new rules say if you injure a player you will be sent off, which was the right thing to do. But I feel it was an accident, and I hope the board see it that way."

Stars are next in action on October 15, when Milton Keynes come to Oxpens Road.