BICESTER HOCKEY CLUB

BICESTER M2's 2-1 HENLEY M3's

 

Bicester 2nd bounced back from three consecutive defeats with a gritty 2-1 victory at home to Henley 3rd. The result moves them to within a point of their Oxfordshire rivals and, crucially, opens up clear daylight between them and the MBBO Division 4 relegation zone.

 

Bicester started the game well. With Martyn Southam solidly anchoring the defence, impressive full backs Jack Boyden and Pete Bennett pushed forward at every opportunity, putting the visitors under sustained pressure.

 

Midway through the first half the home side deservedly took the lead. After a penetrating run down the inside left channel, Jimmy Howson fed fellow striker Nick Bell in the D. His shot was well-saved, but the Henley keeper gifted the ball back to Howson who made no mistake from an acute angle three yards out.

 

With Henley offering little threat, Bicester pressed hard for a second but were unable to add to their score before half-time.

 

Immediately after the restart, they thought they had. Dugald Humphries’ precision aerial straight from the second-half push-back found Howson galloping into the D. The goal-keeper misjudged the bounce and Howson dived full-length in an attempt to poke the ball home. He insisted he’d got a touch before it crossed the line, but the umpires were unconvinced and it remained 1-0.

 

Ten minutes later it was 2-0. A pin-point free hit from left to right was met by Boyden racing up from the back and his mesmerising skill took him past three defenders before finishing low into the bottom corner. Bicester appeared to be cruising.

 

But Henley’s response was to attack. They threw men forward and forced the home team onto the back foot. Within five minutes they had pulled a goal back and Bicester’s composed passing began to disintegrate. For the final quarter of the game, they were under siege, pinned back inside their own 25 yard line as Henley launched wave after wave of attacks.

 

But, thanks to some crucial saves from keeper Nick Harding and fierce defending from the rest of the team, Bicester held out to claim the points.

 

Bicester M2's 1-3 Phoenix and Ranelagh M2's

 

Bicester 2nd are beginning to look nervously down at the MBBO Division 4 relegation zone after being stunned 3-1 at home by lowly Phoenix and Ranelagh 2nd.

 

It was the visitors who started more briskly, forcing a penalty corner inside the first five minutes. But Bicester responded well and quickly began to impose themselves on their opponents, patiently retaining possession and working the ball wide to take advantage of the incisive running of Gordon Brass and Hugh Rowlands.

 

Bicester pressed high up the pitch, repeatedly forcing Phoenix to give the ball away and penning them into their own half for long periods. With midfield trio Jonathan Roger, Dugald Humphries and Dave Hinchliffe dictating play in the middle of the park and Nick Bell combining well with Jimmy Howson up front, it looked to be only a matter of time before Bicester took the lead.

 

Sure enough, midway through the half Howson fired the home side in front with a trademark reverse stick finish after excellent work from James Pilgrim on the edge of the D. Bicester continued to control the game and created several chances to double their lead, only to be denied by a string of heroic last ditch tackles and some wayward finishing - painfully familiar territory for a team that’s scored only nine goals in 13 games this season.

 

Ten minutes before the break they were given a lesson in finishing. A rare Phoenix foray into Bicester’s half resulted in a smartly taken equaliser from a left wing cross. And on the stroke of half-time it got worse. The visitors again broke through the Bicester siege and when the ball struck a defender’s foot in the D, the home team stopped, expecting a penalty corner. But advantage was correctly played by the umpire and the ball was calmly placed past keeper Peter Bowen. Phoenix were in front, leaving Bicester bamboozled as to how they could be trailing in a game they had dominated so completely.

 

The home side started the second period strongly, but Phoenix, playing with renewed belief, held firm. And as time wore on, Bicester began to try and force it, increasingly resorting to hopeful long balls out from the back - a tactic that played right into the visitors’ hands, allowing them to easily regain possession and start to exert a measure of control on the game for the first time. The more desperate Bicester became, the less likely they it seemed that they would score.

 

Eight minutes from time an unfortunate deflection from a penalty corner strike sent the ball looping over the despairing Bowen’s hand and Phoenix were 3-1 up. It might have been fortuitous, but it was also final. By now Bicester were in disarray and their opponents had no trouble seeing the game out to claim a welcome three points.

 

West Hampstead M5's 2-0 Bicester M2's

 

Bicester 2nd were left frustrated by a 2-0 reverse at MBBO Division 4 high-flyers West Hampstead 5th.

 

The visitors showed how far they have come over last couple of seasons by dominating both possession and territory against the team now sat top, in a first half performance that belied Bicester's league position. Time after time they worked the ball wide and got in behind their hosts’ defence, only to be denied by some staunch last ditch defending. This excellent performance was underlined when Hugh Rowland's cross from the right was sweetly deflected into the net by Nick Bell, past a stranded opposition keeper, only for the goal to be cruelly ruled out by a poor umpiring decision from West Hampstead's player umpire. On the rare occasions Hampstead did threaten, goalkeeper Jack Boyden was quickly off his line to smother the danger.

 

But on 10 minutes disaster struck. Boyden was momentarily unsighted following a smartly taken long corner and suddenly it was 1-0 to the Londoners, massively against the run of play.

 

Bicester picked themselves up and were unfortunate not to level the scores when first Jonathan Roger was denied by a fine save and then Steve Adams skilfully rounded the goalkeeper only to see his goal-bound effort cleared off the line by a defender’s spectacular sliding save.

 

The game was more even after the break. Bicester continued to threaten, but seemed content to let their hosts dominate possession in midfield and, going into the final quarter, Hampstead began to gain the upper hand. Fifteen minutes from time it was 2-0. Bicester were unable to stop an incisive drive through midfield, which ended with an unstoppable drive into the bottom corner of the goal.

 

It was a confidence-shattering blow and, in desperation, the visitors resorted to hitting long balls up the centre of the pitch and hoping someone would get on the end of one in the D. But it was a tactic that failed to come off and Bicester’s continuing lack of goals remains a cause for concern.

 

Bicester M2's 2-0 Witney M2's

 

Goals from Dave Hinchliff and Nick Bell ensured Bicester 2nd ended 2015 on a high with a 2-0 victory at home to fellow strugglers Witney 2nd.

 

The result pushes Bicester towards the comfort of mid-table in MBBO Division 4.

 

It was Witney who started the game on the front foot, but the home side gradually gained the upper hand, putting the visitors’ D under sustained pressure. But, in a frustrating first half, they were unable to turn their dominance into goals.

 

And with Witney looking dangerous on the counter-attack, Bicester could have easily fallen behind but for some superb last-ditch tackling from defenders Tom Butler, Edgar Fricker and Jon McNally, coupled with keeper Peter Bowen’s intelligent positioning.

 

Bowen’s opposite number in the Witney goal was by far the busier keeper, frequently charging off his line to snuff out wave after wave of Bicester attacks orchestrated by hard-working midfield duo Chris Tarratt and Dugald Humphries.

 

Ten minutes after the break, Bicester finally got their reward. When Witney struggled to clear their lines following a penalty corner, Trevor Joseph picked up the loose ball on the right and delivered a pinpoint cross for the predatory Hinchliffe to tuck home his second goal of the season.

 

Bicester continued to threaten, but with such a slender lead Witney were always in with a chance. Gordon Brass and Ian Oak both went close to making the game safe and Steve Adams was very unlucky not to score.

 

Five minutes from time Witney’s hopes of a draw were ended. A superbly worked penalty corner routine was finished by Nick Bell crashing home a pile driver of a shot. And at 2-0 Bicester were finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.

 

BANBURY M3's 2-1 BICESTER M2's

 

Bicester 2nd slumped to their sixth defeat in eight MBBO Division 4 games, going down 2-1 in an ill-tempered local derby away to Banbury 3rd.

 

Banbury were the first to threaten with five minutes on the clock when a well-worked penalty corner routine resulted in a goal-bound drag flick, which Bicester keeper Nathan Elliot brilliantly pushed onto the crossbar at full stretch.

 

Bicester gradually found their rhythm and looked more than a match for their hosts with some great passing hockey. But disaster struck midway through the half when a tame Banbury effort took a wicked deflection in the D. The unfortunate Elliot was wrong-footed and the ball trickled into the goal to give the home team the lead.

 

Within five minutes the visitors were level. Substitute Steve Adams raced onto a perfectly-weighted Jimmy Howson pass, rounded the hapless Banbury keeper with his first touch and coolly slotted the ball home with his second.

 

But Bicester’s celebrations were cut short almost immediately when a swift Banbury counter attack gave them a two on one situation in the visitors’ D and the ball was dispatched into the bottom corner of the goal.

 

It was a lively encounter and five minutes before the break Bicester should have been back on level terms. Adams and Jon McNally combined well to again beat the Banbury keeper and play Justin Temple in, but the striker somehow put his first time shot on the half-volley an agonising inch wide of the post.

 

Bicester sensed they could get something out of the game and pushed hard after the interval, again coming close when Howson smashed a tricky reverse stick drive just wide of the goal. But the home defence held firm and the game petered out as tempers frayed and discipline crumbled on both sides.

 

Bicester M2's 2-1 Sonning M4's

 

Bicester 2nd moved away from the MBBO Division 4 relegation zone with a much-needed 2-1 victory at home to bottom side Sonning 4th.

 

Bicester dominated the early exchanges, keeping possession for long periods with some excellent passing, and pressing hard to win the ball back when they lost it. But for all their good build-up play, they rarely threatened the Sonning goal.

 

Ten minutes before the break that changed. A loose Sonning pass in midfield was intercepted by Justin Temple, who swept the ball out to Trevor Joseph on the right wing. The veteran wide man accelerated past his marker and rifled an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner of the goal to put the home team in front.

 

With man of the match Jon Roger pulling the strings in midfield, Bicester continued to enjoy the lion’s share of possession after the break, while Sonning’s rare counter attacks were comfortably dealt with by the home side’s assured defence of Nick Bell, debutant Pete Bennett and the ever-reliable Martyn Southam.

 

Mid-way through the half Bicester at last turned their superiority into a second goal. Good work again from the irrepressible Joseph earned a penalty corner, which CJ Birtles calmly dispatched into the bottom corner.

 

Bicester should have gone on to put the game to bed, but their continuing inability to turn possession into clear-cut chances meant that Sonning always had hope.

 

And six minutes from time the visitors were controversially back in the game. A well-worked penalty corner routine resulted in a shot that appeared to cross the goal line too high, only dipping at the last moment to clip the top of the back board. To the home team’s dismay, the effort was ruled legitimate and their protests fell on deaf ears.

 

But they held on for only their second victory of the season.

 

Reading University Knights 3-0 Bicester M2's

 

Bicester 2nd’s chronic goal drought continued with a 3-0 defeat away to Reading University Knights, a result which sees them slide into MBBO division 4’s bottom three.

 

It was a cagey start, with Reading enjoying plenty of early possession but unable to find a way through Bicester’s compact ranks. And it was the visitors who might have snatched the lead after 10 minutes when man of the match Trevor Joseph combined well with Justin Temple on the counter-attack, only for the opportunity to be snuffed out by some excellent defending on the edge of the D.

 

The home team got their noses in front midway through the first half when Bicester’s ever-reliable centre back Martyn Southam was unlucky to deflect a goal-bound shot onto his foot. The resulting penalty flick gave keeper Nathan Elliot no chance.

 

The students continued to probe and were rewarded with a second goal from a well-worked penalty corner routine five minutes before the break.

 

The second half was end to end. The home side dominated possession, but Bicester’s work rate was exceptional as they kept their youthful opponents at bay for long periods. And, with keeper Elliot in such brilliant form, the visitors sensed there was a chance to get back into the game.

 

Joseph’s pace down the right was a constant threat while centre forward Jimmy Howson was causing consternation in the home defence with his mesmerising stick work. Fine saves from the Reading keeper kept out goal bound efforts from Nick Harding and Justin Temple before Dugald Humphries sent a shot narrowly wide from a penalty corner. And went captain Chris Tarratt sent a dangerous effort an agonising whisker wide of the post, it began to look like Bicester would not get the reward their efforts deserved.

 

And to compound their misery, a controversial last minute penalty corner was converted to give the students a flattering 3-0 victory.

 

Henley M3's 3-0 Bicester M2's

 

Bicester 2nd slumped to their third defeat of the season, going down 3-0 away at fellow strugglers Henley 3rd.

 

Despite the absence of six regular players, Bicester started well. After soaking up some early Henley pressure they repeatedly hit the home team on the counter attack, creating a number of excellent first half chances that on another day might have put them two or three ahead by half time.

 

But it was all change after the break. The home side showed more desire after the restart and snatched the lead just three minutes into the second period. The depleted visitors began to flag and, five minutes later, a defensive mix up allowed Henley to double their lead. Bicester battled on, but it was one way traffic and, but for some heroics from Bicester keeper Nathan ??, Henley might have gone further ahead.

 

In the closing stages of the game, Bicester pressed forward and twice went close to reducing the deficit, but Henley ended all hope of a comeback with a well-taken third goal on the break five minutes from time.

 

Bicester M2's 0-3 Bracknell M2's

 

Bicester 2nd paid the price for a disastrous start, crashing 3-0 at home to Bracknell 2nd in MBBO Division 4.

 

Just three minutes were on the clock when the visitors stole possession deep in their own half. In four quick passes their pacey forwards were in behind a static Bicester defence and the ball was touched home, giving keeper Nick Harding no chance.

 

The home side were struggling to retain any kind of possession and five minutes later Bracknell punished them again. The speed of their forwards was causing real problems and Harding was again well beaten when another slick move carved open the shell-shocked home team.

 

Bicester could have folded but, to their credit, they began to dig in. Passes continued to go astray but the home defence stepped up and worked overtime to snuff out any further attacks. With a steadier platform behind them, Bicester at last began to make progress going forwards.

 

Midway through the half an exquisite pass from Trevor Joseph found Jonathan Roger’s clever run into the D only for the Bracknell defence to quickly smother the chance. And 10 minutes before half-time came Bicester’s best opportunity of the game. Mercurial midfielder James Pilgrim wriggled through a series of tackles, reached the byline and sent a dangerous ball across the face of the Bracknell goal, which was met first time by Justin Temple’s late run into the D. But the visiting keeper displayed astonishing agility to get down and stop the ball on the line, denying what looked a certain goal.

 

The hosts continued to work hard after the break, but rarely threatened the Bracknell goal. And ten minutes before the end, as Bicester pressed forward in a vain attempt to get something out of the game, another quick counter-attack enabled Bracknell to capitalise on the outnumbered home defence and deal Bicester a knockout blow with their third goal.

 

With just one goal from their first three games, Bicester need to find an answer to their scoring problems if they are to make any headway in their new division.

 

Phoenix and Ranelagh M2's 0-1 Bicester M2's

 

Newly-promoted Bicester 2nd grabbed their first goal and first points of their MBBO Division 4 campaign with a gritty 1-0 victory away to Phoenix and Ranelagh 2nd.

 

The visitors were missing six members of the squad that lost 2-0 at home to West Hampstead 5th in last week’s season opener and were quickly under pressure. But although they were below strength, Bicester were disciplined and, for all their early possession, Phoenix were unable to find a way through their well-organised ranks.

 

Bicester gradually weathered the storm as hard-working midfield duo James Pilgrim and Dugald Humphries began to take command in the centre of the park. And on 20 minutes the pair combined superbly down the right, culminating in a pinpoint Pilgrim cross that teenage striker Will Hartley gleefully touched home from close range.

 

Hartley’s pace was always a threat and Bicester pressed hard for a second, with fellow forwards Alan Edwards and Nick Harding both going close. But the home side held on and Bicester’s lead at half-time remained a slender one.

 

The game continued in a similar vein after the break, with Phoenix shading possession but unable to find a way past Bicester’s magnificent defensive quartet of Tom Butler, Nick Bell, Martyn Southam and Edgar Fricker. The visitors were a constant threat on the break and they almost doubled their advantage 10 minutes after the re-start when a delightful Humphries through ball sent Jordy ?? racing clear, only for the midfielder to be denied by a desperate last ditch tackle.

 

Midway through the half the home side began their fight back. With Hartley forced off with a dead leg, a tiring Bicester were denied their most effective outlet and Phoenix began to push them back.

 

To their credit, the visitors kept their shape superbly but the pressure mounted as Phoenix forced a string of penalty corners. Suddenly Bicester’s Rob Moreton was the busier of the two keepers and was called upon to make three fine saves in quick succession.

 

Ten minutes from time a goal-bound shot was adjudged to have been stopped by a defender’s foot and Phoenix were awarded a penalty stroke. But Moreton made himself huge and the flick ricocheted harmlessly off the post.

 

With an increasing number of umpiring decisions going the home side’s way, Bicester had their backs to the wall. But they held on for a well-deserved victory.

 

Eastcote 4s 5 -3 Bicester 2s (MBBO Division 5) 28 March 2015

 

Bicester 2nd finished the season in third place following a brave 5-3 defeat at runaway league champions Eastcote 4th and now face an anxious wait to see if three teams will go up from MBBO Division 5.

 

With the Londoners having dropped just two points all season, it was always going to be tough. But knowing only victory would see them overhaul Reading University Knights to guarantee promotion as runners up, Bicester attacked the game from the outset.

 

Strong tackling and good distribution from Tom Butler and Chris Tarratt in the heart of midfield allowed Bicester to keep working the ball wide. And with both Gordon Brass and Justin Temple finding space down the flanks, Eastcote were penned right back in the opening exchanges.

 

But a long ball out of defence on 12 minutes caught Bicester off guard and some slick stick work in the D followed by a cute finish saw the hosts take the lead with their first attack of the game against the run of play.

 

The visitors were unfazed and, four minutes later, they were level. Drawing in defenders with a dangerous run from midfield, playmaker James Pilgrim fed Jimmy Howson and the striker fired into the top corner.

 

There was some excellent hockey on display at times as both sides tried to seize the initiative and on 23 minutes Eastcote again took the lead through a powerful drive from the edge of the D. Three minutes later it got worse for the visitors when a goal-bound shot from a penalty corner hit a Bicester foot on the goal line. But the resulting penalty stroke was sent some feet over the crossbar.

 

Bicester kept at it and levelled again on 29 minutes. A slide rule pass from Pilgrim released top scorer Ben Kirk in the D and he rifled home for his 29th goal of the season. But it was Eastcote who eased in front once more following another swift counter-attack just before the break.

 

With the game on a knife edge, Bicester pushed hard for an equaliser early in the second period. And with defenders Jon Sullivan, Martyn Southam and Dave Hinchliffe dealing comfortably with Eastcote’s trademark long balls, it looked like they would get it. But midway through the half, a brilliant move from midfield created an opening for the home team. Despite an exceptional double save from Bicester keeper Nick Harding, the ball fell kindly to an Eastcote forward, who slid the ball home to give his side a flattering two goal cushion.

 

Bicester refused to give up and ten minutes from time they were back in it. Andy Kay followed up a strong run down the right with an exquisite pass to the unmarked Howson and the striker made it 4-3 with a first-time shot into the bottom corner.

 

In the dying minutes, as a tiring Bicester threw everything into attack, they were again punished on the break as Eastcote made it 5-3.

 

Exhausted captain Christ Tarratt said afterwards: “We played well today and we’ve had a great season. I think we deserve promotion and I’m still optimistic that we will go up. I hope the club and our sponsors Bicester Village are as proud of this team as I am.”

 

Bicester M2s 4-0 Wallingford M3s (MBBO Division 5) 21 March 2015

 

Bicester 2nd’s promotion hopes were reignited by a 4-0 victory at home to Wallingford 3rd and the news that three teams may step up from MBBO Division 5.

 

With rivals Staines and Reading University Knights unexpectedly suffering home defeats, Bicester are now sure of 3rd position and will claim the runners-up spot and certain promotion if they can win at champions Eastcote 4th next week.

 

Bicester started the game well, their combination of pace and precise passing proving too much for the visitors and it was no surprise when striker Jimmy Howson fired home with a delightful reverse stick finish on 12 minutes.

 

But, with promotion at stake, the home side began to let their nerves get the better of them. With their discipline fraying, a flurry of cards culminated in the sin-binning of talismanic central defender Martyn Southam five minutes before half time.

 

Sensing an opportunity to take advantage of their extra man, Wallingford piled the pressure on early in the second period. Bicester’s back five remained solid, with Tom Butler in particular outstanding in the tackle, but the team’s shape and composure remained shaky and they made little headway going forwards. 

 

Having cleared his head, Southam was reintroduced 12 minutes after the break and Bicester started to find their rhythm again. Five minutes later, a long ball from the back allowed Howson to outpace the pedestrian Wallingford defence before drawing the keeper out and coolly finding the net with another shot on the reverse.

 

With a two goal cushion, Bicester began to relax and their front three of Howson, Pete Oram and Ben Kirk ran riot. On the hour mark Oram latched onto Jon Sullivan’s superb pass out of defence and wriggled through three tackles before turning his man on the edge of the D and firing into the bottom corner to put the game out of Wallingford’s reach.

 

 

And five minutes from time, Kirk rounded off a possible promotion-winning team performance with a simple tap-in after further good work from Howson.

 

Milton Keynes M4s 1-6 Bicester M2s (MBBO Division 5)

28 February 2015

 

Bicester 2nd boosted their MBBO Division 5 promotion hopes with a convincing 6-1 win away at struggling Milton Keynes 4th. The result puts them in third place, two points behind Reading University Knights, but with a game in hand over the students, and a comfortable seven points ahead of fourth-placed Staines. With only two teams assured of promotion, there’s all to play for four games from the end of the season.

Bicester started the game fast. Only a minute was on the clock when man of the match Justin Temple intercepted a loose pass, burst down the right and squared to Ben Kirk at the top of the D. The forward fed the impressive Jonathan Roger, who fired spectacularly into the top corner. 

 

Five minutes later Bicester were two up. A suicidal pass back to the MK goal keeper was quickly closed down by striker Pete Oram, who stole the ball, rounded the despairing custodian and rolled it into the unguarded net.

 

Injuries then forced both Kirk and midfielder James Pilgrim to temporarily leave the pitch and the changes in personnel disrupted Bicester’s rhythm, allowing the home side back into the game. But impeccable tackling from defenders Martyn Southam, Tom Butler, Jon Sullivan and Dave Hinchliffe ensured none of their attacks came to anything.

Having regained their composure at half-time, Bicester began the second period with the same intensity as at the start of the first. Within minutes of the restart it was 3-0, Oram again displaying his predatory instincts to turn the keeper and smash the ball home.

But the home side battled on and made it 3-1 with a shot keeper Nick Harding was unlucky not to keep out on 43 minutes.

 

Bicester were soon back on the front foot, however, with captain Chris Tarratt leading by example, tirelessly closing down, winning tackles and urging his team mates forward at every opportunity. The intensity paid off, with Bicester’s neat passing game repeatedly opening up the home defence and creating chances.

 

Pilgrim added a fourth after 55 minutes while fellow midfielder Jason Crook was rewarded for his excellent work rate when Andy Kay set him up for a neat finish four minutes later. And Kirk made it six with a fine run and shot five minutes from time.

 

Bicester M2s 3-0 West Hampstead M6s 

(MBBO Division 5) 21 February 2015

 

Goals from strikers Pete Oram and Ben Kirk ensured Bicester 2nd maintained their MBBO Division 5 promotion charge with a 3-0 home win over West Hampstead 6th.

Bicester took control from the start, setting up with a flat back four, which enabled their midfield to push high up the pitch and pin the visitors back in their own half.

 

The pressure paid off in the 9th minute. From a well-worked penalty corner routine straight from the training ground midfielder James Pilgrim cleverly touched the ball into Oram’s path and the forward made no mistake from six yards.

 

Hampstead rallied slightly after falling behind, but the home side’s territorial dominance ensured their sporadic attacks were mounted by only two or three players at a time and they rarely got behind Bicester’s solid defensive line. On the odd occasion they did threaten the Bicester goal, ever-alert keeper Nick Harding was quickly off his line to smother any danger.

 

Ten minutes before the break Bicester made it 2-0 when Kirk picked the ball up in midfield, beat three defenders with an impressive combination of pace, power and stick work and fired a thunderous shot into the bottom corner.

 

In the second half Bicester were rampant. Their hard-working midfield repeatedly won the ball and set up wave after wave of attacks in an impressive display of expansive hockey that would have yielded more goals but for a stubborn Hampstead defence.

The game was finally made safe midway through the half when Kirk picked up the ball wide on the left and burst into the D to finish from an outrageously tight angle, claiming his 25th goal of the season and capping off an excellent team performance.

 

Bicester remain a point ahead of Reading University Knights in third place with five games to play.

 

Amersham & Chalfont M3s 0-4 Bicester M2s 

(MBBO Division 5) 7 February 2015

 

Bicester 2nd forced their way back into the MBBO Division 5 promotion places with a routine 4-0 win away to Amersham and Chalfont 3rd.

 

Bicester set themselves up in an unorthodox 4-4-2 formation and it worked a treat. With just two minutes on the clock full back Chris Tarratt combined well with Justin Temple and raced clear down the right. His firm cross was met with the deftest of touches by Pete Oram, laying the ball perfectly into the path of teenage striker Will Hartley, who finished with a brilliant first time shot.

 

The home side were struggling to get a foothold in the game as Bicester moved the ball with precision, making the most of acres of space out wide to launch a relentless series of attacks. And on 12 minutes they doubled their lead when man of the match Trevor Joseph latched onto a loose clearance and fired into the roof of the net.

 

With Tom Butler and Dave Hinchliffe in total control of the centre of the pitch, it was one way traffic for the entire first half. On 20 minutes top scorer Ben Kirk was sent clear by hard-working left midfielder Andy Kay and he made no mistake, putting Bicester 3-0 up with an unstoppable reverse stick finish. Eight minutes later it appeared to be all over as a contest as Kirk again wriggled clear to grab the visitors’ fourth goal with the help of a fortunate deflection. It was no more than Bicester deserved.

 

After the break, however, the away team failed to match the heights of their first half performance. Inexplicably, they stopped moving the ball around with the same effectiveness and Amersham began to get on top. Bicester still looked dangerous on the break and fashioned a couple of half chances to increase their lead, but it was the home side who dominated possession and who forced all the penalty corners of the second half. Only an impressive defensive display from Roy Carter, Martyn Southam and Edgar Fricker at the back and a string of top drawer saves by the ever-dependable Nick Harding in goal ensured Bicester came away with a clean sheet.

 

With their prospects of promotion now back in their own hands, Bicester face a massive trip to fourth-placed and rapidly improving Staines next week.

 

BICESTER 2s 7 -6 Reading University Knights

(MBBO Division 5) 31 January 2015

 

Bicester 2nd leap-frogged Reading University Knights to go second in MBBO Division 5 with an extraordinary 7-6 victory over the students at The Cooper School.

 

Reading arrived with just eight outfield players and no goalkeeper, but with at least one England Student international in their ranks they displayed some breathtaking skills at times. And it was the visitors who took the lead inside five minutes with a superb finish from a penalty corner.

 

Bicester were reeling at the quality of their depleted opposition, but forced their way back into the game five minutes later when attacking midfielder Jonathan Roger got behind the students’ defence and pulled the ball back for Pete Oram to tap in on his Bicester debut. The university side continued to apply the pressure, denying their hosts the space they should have been able to find and winning penalty corners seemingly at will. It was only thanks to a string of fine saves from home keeper Nick Harding that the scores remained level.

 

Midway through the half Bicester began to relieve the pressure and seized the initiative when Roger burst into the D and drove a shot into the bottom corner of the goal and, 10 minutes before the break, they went 3-1 up with Oram grabbing his second. But the students again showed their quality, making it 3-2 just before the half-time whistle.

 

The second half began as the first half had finished, James Pilgrim putting the home side 4-2 up within a few minutes of the restart after good work again from Roger, only for Reading to peg them back once more with another goal from a penalty corner. But with three quarters of the match gone, Bicester finally looked as if they might be home and dry. A series of crisp passes set Oram free in the D and he made no mistake to grab his hat-trick. And two minutes later it was 6-3 when an Oram shot was stopped by a defender’s foot on the line and top scorer Ben Kirk stroked home the resulting penalty flick.

 

But the students refused to give up and roared back with a quick-fire double of their own to make it 6-5. Oram was again on hand to restore Bicester’s two goal lead 10 minutes from time, but almost immediately the visitors were awarded a penalty flick of their own to make it 7-6.

 

And in the dying minutes it was all Reading as they fought desperately for an equaliser. But Martyn Southam, Jon Sullivan and Edgar Fricker in the home defence stood firm, while man of the match Harding was outstanding in the Bicester goal and the home side hung on for a massive three points.

 

LEIGHTON BUZZARD 2s 1 - 2 BICESTER 2s

(MBBO Division 5) 24 January 2015

 

Bicester 2nd revived their flagging promotion hopes with a deserved 2-1 victory away to Leighton Buzzard 2nd in MBBO Division 5.

 

Bicester were under-strength, only managing to muster a squad of 11, but took the game to Buzzard from the off. With James Pilgrim, Jonathan Roger and Jason Crook dominating the midfield, the visitors enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, moving the ball around and bringing wide men Justin Temple and Chris Tarrat into the game to good effect. 

 

Chance after chance was created as Bicester spent the majority of the first period encamped in their opponents’ half, with keeper Nick Harding a virtual spectator. The only thing missing was a little more composure in front of goal.

 

The inevitable break-through finally arrived 10 minutes before the interval when a string of penalty corners culminated in a half-clearance falling to captain Tarrat who powered his shot high into the net for his first goal of the season.

 

Strikers Gordon Brass and Will Hartley had been a constant thorn in the sides of the home defence and just three minutes into the second period, they combined delightfully to put Bicester two up. Latching onto Pilgrim’s through ball, Brass drew the keeper out before squaring for teenager Hartley to coolly stroke the ball into the empty net for his first goal for the team.

 

As the game moved into its final quarter, Bicester’s lack of substitutes began to tell and Buzzard at last began to apply some pressure of their own, winning a flurry of penalty corners for the first time. And it was from one of these that they managed to squeeze the ball home with virtually their only shot of the game 15 minutes from time.

 

From then on, Bicester’s game management was superb. Defenders Roy Carter, Tom Butler and Edgar Fricker worked as a unit to calmly mop up everything the home team could throw at them, distributing the ball accurately from the back to ensure the visitors, though mustering fewer attacks, were able to keep possession and comfortably see the game out.

 

BICESTER 2s 1 -5 EASTCOTE 4s

(MBBO Division 5) 17 January 2015

 

Bicester 2nd’s poor run of form in MBBO Division 5 continued with a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Old Merchant Taylors 3rd.

 

The visitors started well as Bicester struggled to adapt their passing game to the slow pitch at Gosford School, Kidlington, following a switch of venue from the frozen surface at Cooper School.

 

But they gradually got into their stride with central midfielders Chris Tarrat, James Pilgrim and Dave Hinchliffe working hard to win possession and keep the ball moving. On 15 minutes striker Gordon Brass did well to wriggle through a couple of challenges on the edge of the D, only for his fierce drive to produce a smart save from the OMT keeper.

 

But it was by no means all Bicester and 10 minutes before the break OMT enjoyed their best spell of the game, culminating in a stinging shot from a penalty corner that home keeper Nick Harding dived full length to tip around the post with his stick. It was a save that could only be described as top drawer.

 

The second half followed the same pattern as the first, with the home side dominating possession, while OMT were a constant threat on the break. But for all Bicester’s good approach play, with excellent work from Jason Crook and Jonathan Roger in the wide positions, they were unable to ask enough questions of the visiting keeper.

 

And in the dying seconds, with Bicester pressing high up the pitch, it was the visitors who almost stole it. A swift counter attack gave them a three on two situation in the D and the ball was seemingly despatched into the bottom corner of the Bicester net. But again Harding flung himself across the goal to poke it wide with his toe for a save that was even better than his first.

 

BICESTER 2s 1 -5 EASTCOTE 4s

(MBBO Division 5) 13 December 2014

 

Bicester 2nd’s promotion challenge was further dented by a 5-1 home defeat to runaway league leaders Eastcote 4th.

 

In a game switched to Kidlington because of the icy state of the pitch at The Cooper School, it was Bicester who started on the front foot, pinning the visitors in their own half during the opening exchanges. And on 12 minutes they seized the initiative. A brilliant run and pass from midfielder Ian Oak set up top scorer Ben Kirk, who curled a delightful shot into the far corner from the left of the D for his 20th goal of the season.

 

Eastcote responded well and began to play the kind of hockey that has seen them drop only two points all season. Suddenly it was Bicester who were on the back foot and keeper Nick Harding was called upon to make a series of smart saves before two goals in as many minutes put the visitors in front 15 minutes before the break.

 

It was nip and tuck in an entertaining game and the next goal was going to be crucial. Unfortunately for Bicester it went to Eastcote - a simple penalty corner routine dispatched with a venomous shot into the bottom corner, giving the visitors a slightly flattering 3-1 lead at half-time.

 

Bicester pushed hard at the start of the second half, but their hopes were dealt a serious blow when key defender Edgar Fricker had to leave the field after taking a stick to the head - an injury that needed hospital treatment. With the home team looking for a way back into the game, gaps inevitably began to appear at the back and Eastcote sealed things with a fourth goal on 45 minutes.

 

For the rest of the game Bicester matched their opponents in terms of possession, but all too often chose the wrong option in the final third of the pitch. Eastcote, on the other hand, always looked dangerous and grabbed their fifth ten minutes from time to round off a deserved win.

 

The result sees Bicester in second place at the midway point of the season, but just two points ahead of Reading University Knights, who have a game in hand and a significantly superior goal difference.

 

Wallingford M3's 2-1 Bicester M2's

(MBBO Division 5) 6 December 2014

 

Bicester 2nd’s MBBO Division 5 promotion charge suffered a major setback with a 2-1 reverse away to Wallingford3rd. In a low quality match hampered by a dangerously frosty pitch, it was the home team that started brighter. But for all their possession, Wallingford lacked penetration and Bicester’s outstanding defence of Dave Hinchliffe, Martyn Southam, Edgar Fricker and Tom Butler comfortably kept them at bay.

 

As the half wore on, the visitors grew into the game and looked the more likely to open the scoring with the pace of Mike Bywater and Johnny Winspear causing major problems. Sure enough, Bicester took the lead on 20 minutes when Hinchliffe made a surging run out of defence before feeding Roy Carter, who touched the ball home with a deft finish.

 

Midfielders Chris Tarrat, Dugald Humphries and Jason Crook now had a measure of control on the game and, 10 minutes later, Bicester should have doubled their lead when Roy Carter and Justin Temple broke clear for a two on one with the Wallingford keeper. But the final pass lacked precision and the chance was snuffed out.

Wallingford pushed hard for an equaliser after the break and Bicester keeper Nick Harding was at last called upon to make a series of fine saves.

 

 

With ball control increasingly difficult on the freezing surface and one whole side of the pitch effectively out of bounds because of the frost, Bicester were struggling to bring skilful wide players Gordon Brass and Will Hartley into the game. Their usual expansive style was suffering as a result and Wallingford began to pin them back.

 

Fifteen minutes from time the home side’s pressure paid off when Bicester uncharacteristically gave the ball away cheaply on the edge of their D, allowing Wallingford to level. As Bicester pushed hard to regain the lead, they left space in behind and, five minutes from time, the hosts capitalised with an unstoppable, but deserved, winner from a penalty corner.

 

Bicester 2s 3 - 1 Wooten Wanderers

(MBBO Division 5) 29th November 2014

 

Bicester 2nd underlined their MBBO division 5 promotion credentials with a hard-earned 3-1 home win over a dogged Wooton Wanderers side.

 

For the second week in succession Bicester started slowly. Despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession, they seemed unable to move the ball around with any great pace and their attacks were all too often picked off by a disciplined Wooton defence.

 

The home team did have the ball over the goal line after 20 minutes, but a quick-thinking Wanderers defender pushed it clear and the unsighted umpire was unable to give it, allowing Wooton to survive until half-time with the game goalless.

 

Bicester upped the intensity after the break. The hard work of midfielders Chris Tarratt, Jason Crook and James Pilgrimgave them the platform they needed and they at last began to move the ball wide. Ten minutes after the restart the break-through came. A slick penalty corner routine ended with top scorer Ben Kirk’s unstoppable reverse stick strike into the bottom corner.

 

Wooton’s defence was working overtime, but they were offering little going forwards and Bicester should have added to their tally as a series of crosses were rained into the D by Gordon Brass, Andy Kay and Justin Temple from wide areas.

 

As the home team pressed higher and higher up the pitch in search of a way past the visitors’ exceptional keeper for the goal that would put the game to bed, they were dealt a sucker punch. A ball over the top caught the defence cold, Wooton’s centre forward raced clear and levelled the game at 1-1 with 20 minutes to play.

 

Bicester continued to press, but Wanderers kept up their tigerish rear-guard action and time was beginning to run out. But talismanic striker Kirk was not finished, firing a carbon copy reverse stick shot into the corner from another penalty corner on 60 minutes. The gloss was added to the scoreline in the final minute from another penalty corner. Jason Crook’s fierce shot deflected off a defender’s foot for Justin Temple to gleefully slam home his second in two games.

 

Ayelsbury 3s 1 -2 Bicester 2s

MBBO Division 5, 22 November 2014

 

Bicester 2nd survived a major scare but showed their fighting spirit to come away with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over lowly Aylesbury 3rd.

 

Despite dominating possession in the opening stages, Bicester were unable to find the killer pass to unlock the Aylesbury defence and it was the home team who fashioned the first clear-cut opening with a swift counter-attack after 10 minutes. Keeper Nick Harding was alert to the danger and rushed out to clear his lines.

 

With James Pilgrim pulling the strings in midfield, Bicester gradually began to find their rhythm, and it was his vision that proved decisive on 25 minutes. Justin Temple cleverly lost his marker in the D and Pilgrim’s exquisitely placed pass enabled him to smash the ball home from five yards for his first goal of the season.

 

Five minutes after half-time, the visitors doubled their precarious lead. A superbly weighted pass from Dave Hinchliffe set Gordon Brass free down the left and his cross was picked up by top scorer Ben Kirk in the D. Kirk’s quick feet were too much for his marker, buying him a yard of space to crack in his 17th goal of the season.

 

Bicester should have been home and dry, but the goal failed to kill Aylesbury off. Two penalty corners provided Bicester with chances to further increase the lead, but they were unable to capitalise and the home team sensed the game might not be dead.

 

On 50 minutes Aylesbury pulled one back from a well worked penalty corner routine and the heat was on. Bicester faltered and, despite some ferocious tackling, too many passes were going astray. Aylesbury were winning the penalty corner count and, for the final 10 minutes, laid siege to the visitors’ goal. But the Bicester back line held firm and the promotion challenge remains on track.

 

Bicester 2s 11 - 0 Milton Keynes 4s

MBBO Division 5, 15 November 2014

 

Bicester 2nd notched their biggest win for years with an 11-0 annihilation of Milton Keynes 4th in MBBO Division 5.

 

The home team took a while to get going - despite dominating possession in the opening minutes, they lacked the guile in the final third to find a way past a packed MK defence. And it was the visitors who fashioned the first clear-cut chance on 10 minutes when a rare counter-attack caught Bicester’s back line too high up the pitch, leaving a two on one situation, which keeper Nick Harding did brilliantly to snuff out.

 

Bicester’s work rate was frenetic, their dominance almost total, but it was not until the 20th minute that Jimmy Howson finally opened the scoring with a well-taken finish. And moments later he pounced on a suicidal cross-field 16-yard hit out of the Milton Keynes defence to coolly make it 2-0. Bicester were into their stride.

 

The away team had no response and five minutes before the break influential midfielder James Pilgrim added two further goals, an audaciously skilful reverse stick finish from 10 yards followed by a precisely-placed shot that spun in off the inside of the post.

 

Two minutes into the second half it was Ben Kirk’s turn as Bicester ruthlessly turned up the heat on their hapless opponents. Played in by Andy Kay, he made no mistake from the top of the D and five minutes later it was 6-0 as Kirk again drove home via a defenders foot from a well taken penalty corner.

 

On 47 minutes James Pilgrim completed his hat trick with a powerful drive from another penalty corner and eight minutes later he turned provider with a pinpoint cross, which was met by the inrushing Johnny Winspear with a neat reverse stick finish from two yards. Jeff Neill’s powerful run and shot made it 9-0 on 58 minutes and four minutes later Bicester were into double figures when Ben Kirk capitalised on a dreadful mix-up between MK’s keeper and centre back to score from close range.

 

But Kirk and Bicester were still not finished, the striker completing the rout five minutes from time with his 16th goal of the season, making him the leading goal scorer in the entire MBBO league.

 

 

 

West Hampstead M6's 2-4 Bicester M2's

MBBO Division 5, 8 November 2014

 

Bicester 2nd maintained their flying start to the season, making it five wins out of six in MBBO Division 5 with a hard-fought 4-2 victory away at West Hampstead 6th. 

 

Both sides passed the ball well in the opening exchanges, but it was the visitors who shaded possession and were rewarded with a penalty corner in the 8th minute. Ben Kirk’s initial strike was blocked, but Bicester picked up the loose ball and recycled it to the impressive Jason Crook, who made no mistake from five yards.Hampstead struggled to make any headway against Bicester’s dominant defence of Martyn Southam, John Sullivan and Tom Butler until a bizarre umpiring decision gifted the home team an equaliser mid-way through the half. This large slice of good fortune gave them renewed belief and they began to gain the upper hand. But the hard tackling and calm passing of midfield trio Chris Tarrat, John Roger and Dave Hinchliff gradually steadied the ship and allowed Bicester to regain the initiative. And six minutes after conceding, Jimmy Howson’s quick fire double gave the away team a commanding lead. Ben Kirk showed great reactions to intercept a Hampstead free hit and burst into the D. His shot was well saved, but Howson was on hand to coolly steer the rebound into the bottom corner. And two minutes later it was 3-1 when Howson finished a great solo run with an unstoppable drive into the net. 

 

The second half was an even contest, with both teams working hard and creating chances. Hampstead were the first to make one count when a cleverly worked penalty corner was dispatched into the Bicester net to give them hope on 50 minutes. But that hope was extinguished 10 minutes later when the prolific Ben Kirk finished a rampaging run with a trade mark finish from the top of the D for his 12th goal of the season. Bicester survived a last second scare when Hampstead’s goal-bound effort was spectacularly diverted by Martyn Southam on the goal line, but by then their work was done. The result keeps Bicester in third place, three points off top spot.

 

 

Bicester M2's 4-1 Staines M4's (MBBO Division 5) 1 November 2014

 

James Pilgrim’s double strike set high-flying Bicester 2nd on their way to a battling 4-1 win at home to Staines 4th.

 

Following a good move down the right, industrious midfielder Jason Crook sent in a pinpoint cross, which Pilgrim collected in the D before coolly finishing from an acute angle on 10 minutes.

 

Five minutes later, Bicester thought they had doubled their lead. Gordon Brass powered a shot into the roof of the net only to see it mistakenly ruled out for being the first strike at goal from a penalty corner and therefore too high.

 

The visitors’ robust approach was beginning to cause Bicester some problems and the remainder of the first half was fiercely contested. The home side’s defensive quartet of Edgar Fricker, Jon Sullivan, Stuart Lloyd and Dave Hinchliff stood firm under pressure, but a one goal lead was never going to be enough.

 

Fortunately, five minutes after the restart Pilgrim doubled Bicester’s advantage - a weaving run past three defenders on the edge of the D was finished with an unerring drive into the bottom corner. And on 47 minutes the game was safe - captain Chris Tarrat’s unfailing energy forced Staines into a defensive error and the predatory Gordon Brass pounced to tuck the loose ball past the keeper for a deserved goal.

 

Again Staines rallied and Bicester began to wobble. The pressure told when a deliberate foul in the D yielded a penalty stroke for the away team. But they were denied by the ever-reliable Nick Harding in the Bicester goal, who just got his glove to the flick, tipping it onto the post.

 

Staines continued to press and were finally rewarded with a goal following a string of penalty corners. But it was Bicester who had the last laugh - a well-worked penalty corner on the final whistle was saved by the Staines keeper, but Jon  Cooper reacted quickest to poke the ball home from close range with the last touch of the match.

 

Although the final score was perhaps slightly harsh on Staines, who had given Bicester their sternest test of the season at home, Bicester were again good value for a hard-earned victory that sees them cement their place in the top three of MBBO Division 5.

 

Bicester M2s 6-2 Amersham & Chalfont M3s (MBBO Division 5) - 25 October, 2014

 

Bicester 2nd re-established their MBBO Division 5 promotion credentials with a comfortable 6-2 win at home to Amersham and Chalfont 3rd.

 

A five goal haul saw in-form striker Ben Kirk take his total for the season to 11 in three games, but it was Amersham who looked the more likely early on. A lethargic start from Bicester allowed the visitors to dominate possession and they made it count after six minutes, taking the lead from a well-worked penalty corner.

 

The goal seemed to sting the home side into action and within two minutes they were level, Kirk responding with a fierce drive from Bicester’s own opening penalty corner. Four minutes later they were in front thanks to a mazy run and cool finish from Kirk.

 

Both sides pushed hard for the rest of an end-to-end first half, but it was Bicester who got their decisive third goal five minutes before the break - Andy Kay’s hard work rewarded when his close range shot was helped into the back of the net by a defender’s foot.

 

Bicester’s dominance increased in the second half and eight minutes after the break it was 4-1, Kirk again converting from a penalty corner. The home side continued to push forward with Gordon Brass and Jonny Winspear both going close, but Amersham refused to roll over, forcing home keeper Nick Harding into a series of sharp saves before pulling a goal back after a mix up in the Bicester defence.

 

Again, Bicester responded well - the defence, well-marshalled by man-of-the-match Martyn Southam, snuffed out any further danger and Kirk finished the rout, twice beating the Amersham keeper with exquisite shots from the narrowest of angles late on to push Bicester back into the league’s top three.

 

Reading University Knights 6-0 Bicester M2s (MBBO Division 5) - 18 October, 2014

 

Bicester 2nd’s 100 per cent start to the season was brought to an abrupt halt with a 6-0 reverse at MBBO Division 5 title favourites Reading University Knights.

 

The students dominated possession from the outset, but the visitors were equal to everything that was thrown at them early on thanks to their disciplined shape and exceptional tackling from a back three of Martyn Southam, Dave Hinchliff and man-of-the-match Edgar Fricker.

 

Bicester always looked dangerous on the break and they momentarily thought they had taken the lead against the run of play, but Justin Temple’s spectacular drive made the netting bulge just the wrong side of the post. And on 20 minutes Reading went ahead with a neat finish from close range. Bicester continued to work hard and might have snatched an equaliser moments later, but the outstanding Nick Harding was unquestionably the busier of the two keepers.

 

It was backs against the wall for Bicester and five minutes before the break the home team doubled their advantage following a succession of penalty corners. It was no more than they deserved.

 

Bicester began the second half in positive fashion - looking to push forward more regularly to get back into the game, they inevitably left more space at the back. And Reading exploited this in ruthless fashion with two more goals within 10 minutes of the restart.

 

The away team refused to lie down and the hard work of midfielders Chris Tarratt, Jon Sullivan and Mark Stuart-Thompson created a number of opportunities for the pace of Gordon Brass, Jonny Winspear and Andy Kay to exploit.

 

But Bicester just couldn’t find a consolation goal - Brass going closest only to be denied by a last ditch save from the home keeper. And in the closing stages, the younger legs of the students proved decisive as they added two more goals late on.

 

Bicester 2's 4-0 Leighton Buzzard 2's (MBBO Division 5) - 11 October, 2014

 

Ben Kirk’s second hat trick in two games ensured Bicester 2nd cruised to a comfortable 4-0 win at home to Leighton Buzzard 2nd.

 

The striker gave his team a dream start - pouncing on a loose pass straight from the visitors’ push back, he burst past two defenders before thundering a shot home from a tight angle. Bicester ahead inside 30 seconds.

 

Buzzard were reeling and the home side piled the pressure on. With veteran Steve Birtles pulling the strings behind hard-working midfielders Jason Crook, John Sullivan and Tom Butler, Bicester were constantly on the front foot and looking to release Kirk and pacey strike partner Johnny Winspear at every opportunity.

 

With 10 minutes on the clock it was 2-0. A well-worked penalty corner routine saw Birtles feed Winspear and the forward calmly finished from close range. Midway through the half, the unstoppable Kirk rounded off another surging run with a spectacular finish into the roof of the net. And 10 minutes before half time he completed his hat trick, rifling a fierce drive into the bottom corner from a simple penalty corner routine. The game was effectively over as a contest.

 

To their credit, Leighton Buzzard made a much better fist of things after the break. After being virtual spectators in the first half, the home defence, brilliantly marshalled by Martyn Southam, needed to be at its best to keep them at bay. And it was only thanks to a series of fine saves from goal keeper Nick Harding that ensured Bicester remain the only team in MBBO Division 5 yet to concede a goal.

 

But they will need to up their game significantly from a lacklustre second half display if they are to maintain their 100% start to the season in next weekend’s top of the table clash away at Reading University.

 

OMT 3s  0 - 7  Bicester 2s (MBBO Division 5) - 4 October 2014

 

Strike partners Gordon Brass and Ben Kirk grabbed a hat trick apiece as Bicester 2nd got their MBBO Division 5 campaign off to a flying start with a 7-0 away win over Old Merchant Taylors 3rd.

 

The match was evenly balanced in the early exchanges but, once they had adapted to the slippery surface, Bicester began to assert themselves. The opening goal came on 10 minutes when midfielder Adam Drewitt was on hand to slot home after Kirk’s fierce drive from a penalty corner was well saved by the home keeper.

 

Five minutes later it was 2-0. Good work from Jeff Elliot down the left allowed Brass to capitalise on a static home defence and fire high into the roof of the net from close range.

 

OMT tried to push forward but their increasingly sporadic attacks were well-marshalled by Bicester’s commanding defence. It was this defensive platform that allowed the visitors to dominate the midfield and their repeated forays down the flanks should have yielded more goals before Kirk made it 3-0 with an unstoppable strike from a penalty corner moments before half-time.

 

Bicester did not let up after the break. Five minutes after the restart it was 4-0 thanks to another well-worked penalty corner routine finished by Kirk. A string of further penalty corners were cleared by the tiring OMT defence before their opponents again capitalised - Kirk’s drive was well kept out by the over-worked keeper but this time Brass was the first to react and smashed home from three yards on 52 minutes.

 

Bicester were well organised and their continuous rotation of substitutes enabled them to maintain a high tempo for the full 70 minutes without ever losing their shape - something their hosts simply couldn’t match. Ten minutes from time Jeff Elliot fed Kirk inside the D. His clever first touch deceived the keeper, who he rounded with ease before tapping into the empty net.

 

Nick Harding in Bicester’s goal was called on to clear his lines twice late on, proving he had not lost concentration, but it was Brass who had the last laugh - picking up a loose ball, he burst past three defenders and fired a low shot past the onrushing keeper, completing the rout with the goal of the game.