HOCKEY

Old Loughtonians 5
Sheffield University Bankers 2
(SEHL Division One) OLD Loughtonians men continued their push for promotion with a comfortable victory over Sheffield University Bankers at Luxborough Lane on Sunday.

After a slow start, the visitors took the lead when Chris Woodcock turned home a rebounded shot inside four minutes.

Loughts began to play with more rhythm as they sparked into life - and drew level on 17 minutes when Luke Gupta deflected the ball past the keeper from a shot at the top of the circle.

And they took the lead five minutes later. James Stedman robbed a Sheffield player 25-yards out, raced through and squared for Rich Evans to dive and put the ball in.

It was short lived as Sheffield drew level soon after, a re-taken corner rebounded in past keeper Stuart Hendy by Stuart Clark.

But Loughts replied with a brace of goals just before half time.

A quickly-taken free hit forced a penalty corner which was coolly converted by Liam Doidge low into the corner.

Oliver Didham then got the other from a well-worked free hit which he deflected first time high into the net.

Loughts continued to create chances after the break and made the game safe in the 57th minute when Stedman raced clear before slotting past the advancing keeper.

The men are away to Belper on Sunday.