AFTER a slow start to the season, Oxton HC First Team played against South Manchester rivals, Timperley HC and put on a dominant display, with a 4-1 victory, writes Callum McDoughall.

From the first whistle, Oxton HC looked to take full control of the match, with Francois Clauvaud scoring from a penalty-corner rebound after four minutes of play, to put the home side one nil up.

However, Timperley were not going to lie down and allow Oxton to dominate the game.

An Oxton breakdown led to Timperley pulling a goal back after 15 minutes.

Timperley struggled to connect with each other during the first half, which led to a goal from a patient build up from Oxton, scored by Neil Worrall on the reverse stick side.

Another Oxton goal was disallowed just before half-time as the umpires spotted that the ball had come up off a Timperley stick into striker Ali Mackenzie's chest, whose excellent finish proved to no avail.

However, Oxton's top scorer did not have to wait long to score his first goal of the match, which put the home side 3-1 up after 38 minutes of play.

Halfway through the second half, Timperley started to look tired and weary, as Oxton patiently built play and looked to build on their lead.

In the 54th minute of the match, a counter attack from Oxton lead to Neil Worrall scoring his second goal of the match, with a fantastic deflected goal, with the ball being delivered in by Ali McKenzie from the baseline.

The remainder of the game saw Oxton sit back and absorb some of Timperley HC's late pressure.

A yellow card against Oxton fullback, Joe Roberts, offered the Manchester side a glimmer of hope, but to no avail as they failed to find their opponents net.

The final whistle sounded and Oxton HC had displayed a dominant performance at home, winning in a comfortable fashion, 4-1.

Oxton will look to take this positive performance forward with them as they face Durham University away next weekend.