HOCKEY

Cambridge City 2
Crostyx 4
(NE14HOCKEY East Div 1) CROSTYX men secured a place in the East League's Premier B division next season after a promotion-clinching win at Cambridge City seconds.

However, the success was tainted by two more injuries to add to their growing list of casualties.

Simon Blockley suffered a broken bone in his foot after charging down a short corner - and will miss the rest of the season - while Ross Hopkins limped out with a groin strain.

The game started with the visitors enjoying the majority of possession but not creating many clear-cut chances.

The breakthrough came when a lead out wide by Demi Vassiliou created space for Wayne Bishop to drive infield.

He slid a diagonal ball into the area between keeper and defender for Hopkins to steal in and deflect up into the net for his seventh of the league campaign.

Crostyx doubled their advantage a few minutes later when Ian Dunnett's cross squeezed under a defender's stick for Vassiliou to finish at the near post.

The home side gained some composure and pulled one back from a short corner that was cruelly deflected over the logging Neal Lofthouse on the stroke of half time.

And they forced an equaliser soon after the break, the striker taking advantage of a kind bounce before driving the ball high into the net.

Crostyx's response immediately, Gareth Ingram picking up a rebounded Vassiliou shot and putting the ball away on the reverse.

Ingram then put the tie beyond doubt from a set-piece short corner with a low drag-flick under the diving keeper. It was his 38th league goal of the season.

To clinch top spot Crostyx now need one more win from their two remaining games. They host Shefford and Sandy on March 29.

Crostyx: Lofthouse, Parsons, Julian, Blockley, Bishop, J Duck, McKay, Vassiliou, Hopkins, Ingram, Dunnett. Sub: Watson.