HOCKEY

Crostyx 2
Brentwood 1
(NE14HOCKEY East Div 1) CROSTYX men moved a step closer to securing the league title after narrowly edging out Brentwood.

The visitor's went into the game on the back of an eight-game winning streak and proved to be a tough test for runaway leaders Crostyx.

And it was Brentwood who struck first when a wayward ball out of defence was seized upeon and slid into the area where the attacker unleashed a first time shot into the bottom corner.

Crostyx were quick to respond. A flowing move from left to right ended with Demi Vassilou and Nick Duck feeding James Duck in space.

The resulting shot beat the Brentwood keeper and struck the crossbar before Vassilou followed up to prod in the rebound.

With the momentum in their favour, the hosts continued to press and took the lead before half time from a well worked short corner. Rob McKay neatly fed James Duck for his fourth league goal of the season with a deflected effort over the keeper.

The second half was an open affair with chances at both ends, with Crostyx forcing a multitude of short corners without really troubling the target.

James Duck saw a deflected effort go wide, a low shot from Gareth Ingram was turned around the post and Ian Dunnett couldn't find a team-mate after McKay neatly returned it to him.

The hosts also created chances in open play - twice Vassiliou was unable to double his tally, finding the keeper's pads on each occasion, and Matt Parsons skilful overlap couldn't quite generate a goal-scoring opportunity with his cross.

James Duck probably had the pick of the chances when, after a slick sequence of passing, he found himself with only the keeper to beat from the top of the area. But he didn't find the connection he was looking for.

The result keeps Crostyx five points clear at the top of the table with only three games to play, while a win away at Cambridge City on Saturday would guarantee promotion.

Crostyx: Moorthy, Stoneham, Julian, Blockley, Bishop, J Duck, McKay, Oldfield, N Duck, Ingram, Dunnett. Subs: Parsons, Ingram.