The pride of East London took another blow as a Lions’ side, missing Scott Beeson and Joe Berry were hammered 12-0 by an in form Oxford City Stars at Oxpens Road, last night.

Perhaps still feeling the effects of the previous nights match, Lee Valley were down in 31 seconds as a resurgent Stars side (looking to bounce back from an 18-1 hammering by Romford Raiders the previous evening), scored through long time stalwart Darren Elliot, assists coming from Alan Green and Nick Oliver. Only two minutes later, the Stars were 2-0 up from Oliver’s younger brother Josh, assist to Jonathan Bayliss. The score stayed the same throughout the period with both teams receiving coincidental minors at 5:25 (too many men and high sticking respectively).

Needing to score next to get back in the game, Lions were left kicking themselves as their misfiring Power Play continued to struggle. Warren Jones going in unassisted for a Short Handed effort halfway through the period. It wasn’t long before Oxford started to get into their stride, with Darren Elliot scoring twice in quick succession first from another Oliver (Joe) and Andy Cox before netminder Ruth Cattell was pulled for Aaron Mallet. Then again two minutes later, again from Joe Oliver with a second assist going to Nick… Oliver. The period ending with Oxford 5-0 ahead.

Despite the scoreline, Lee Valley can’t have predicted the onslaught that was ahead of them as the Stars pumped a further 7 goals in to heap the misery on the Lions,. Nick Oliver, James Clarke, Darren Elliot (his fourth of the night) and Josh Oliver scored four in five minutes to put the game beyond doubt. Before Jones and Green (twice) got back on the score sheet to end the night with an emphatic dozen for other men in green.

With the Stars coming back to the den in two weeks time (16th of February) for the return match. Lee Valley will expect another tough night but, hopefully a more exciting game will in prospect.

Final Score: Oxford Stars 12-0 Lee Valley
Period Scores: 2-0/3-0/7-0
Shots on Goal: 14 on Young (OX), 23 on Cattell and 34 on Mallet (both LV) (9-11/4-12/4-25)
Penalties in Minutes: OX 16-4 LV
Top scorers: Darren Elliot (4+1), Alan Green (2+3) and Nick Oliver (1+3) (All Oxford)