Oxford Hawks 2s 6 - 3 Milton Keynes 2s

In a high scoring game recently relegated Oxford Hawks triumphed 6-3 over league newcomers Milton Keynes.

For the second game in a row Milton Keynes men’s 2nd XI were left wondering what might have been had some key moments in the game gone the other way. As the season goes on there is no doubt that Milton Keynes will be able to make the step up to the regional one division but the first two games have been a steep learning curve.

Despite fighting against waves of attacks and numerous short corners Milton Keynes were creating counter attack chances. Against the run of play they opened the scoring through a break by Jack Luther down the left that was finished by current top scorer Toby King. Milton Keynes will rue the missed opportunity to make it 2-0 through a Carl Morris darting run and cross from the right only to see the ball punched wide of the goal.

Hawks seemed to be galvanized by the shake up given by the newly promoted upstarts and swooped in on three unanswered goals before half time and another soon after the re-start.

It is testament to the spirit of the Milton Keynes players that heads never dropped, composure was never lost and two further goals were scored. The first through a Lewis Jobbling short corner drag flick and the second through a deft deception from Vaughan Watson. Unfortunately Hawks also had an eye for goal and superior confidence and clinical finishing won the day.

Oxford were generous and magnanimous in their victory buying both a jug of beer for the team and wine for man of the match, Lewis Jobbling. A worthy charm offensive towards the umpire from ultimate ladies man Paul King can have done Milton Keynes chances no harm for future fixtures.