Final Score - Oxford 1 : Streatham 6

Sunday 7th December 2008

Oxford Stars slumped to another defeat this weekend, losing 6-1 against a rejuvenated Streatham Redskins side. Stars had demolished Redskins last time they met 13-1 but this time Redskins had a new netminder, Kemp, and two imports in Lambert and Kovacs. Stars on the other hand went into the game short benched missing key players Feathertone (injured), Edwards (Suspended), #1 netminder Skaife on Holiday and number of players playing sick. As usual Stars started well and controlled the first 10 minutes of the game, good speed and passing could not be converted though as Stars seem to be struggling to score at the moment. The only Stars goal of the game came from Jacob Smith who unleashed a cannon from just inside the blue line to give the home team a 1-0 lead after 2 mins. After that though they became sloppy and lackluster spurning good scoring chances and allowing Streatham too much time and odd man rushes. It was on a Stars powerplay when confusion between Armour and Elliott in the Redskins zone led to the puck being coughed up which allowed Streatham to break 2 on 1 and score shorthanded past stand in netminder McGurk and tie the game.

The 2nd period started with the score at 1-1 and the home crowd expected Stars to come out hard. However, early lazy penalties caused a problem in the middle period again as Streatham scored twice while a man up ad then took a 4-1 lead by the end of the period. Oxford were by this time frustrated as it appeared every bounce was going against them and they were unable to beat the in form Kemp in the Streatham goal. Bailey and Francis both went close to scoring and on another day would have, defencemen Skaife and Wojciak ripped a couple of shots from the point but Kemp dealt with them easily enough. With it all to do Oxford replaced McGurk in goal with Tom Devey for the 3rd period. They started to play a little better and had more good opportunities to score. Armour fed both Elliott and Dick Hargreaves early on but the tips just went wide or safely into the pads of Kemp, this line shake up meant Stars were at least getting the puck to scoring positions. The final shot tally had Oxford having 38 shots and Redskins 37. However, it was the south London team that were scoring at will as they added a further two goals to seal the game while Oxford continue to hit skates and sticks and even the post on a number of occasions. Coach Hargreaves will be dissapointed with another loss but more with the way the loss happened. This is the 3rd time this season they have only managed to score one goal in a game and with the skill and experience they have it should not be happening.

Oxford face Invicta Dynamos at home next weekend in their last game before Christmas and really need to put in a good performance to set themselves up to start their campaign fresh in the New Year.