Crostyx 4
Bourne 0
(East Hockey Prem B) CROSTYX men took a leap towards league safety as they racked up four goals, three points and a cleansheet against Bourne.

The away side arrived late and looked as though they had left their legs in the car park as Styx started the stronger.

Leon Oxenham could not quite generate the necessary power on his reverse side with the first real chance of the game, but the home side soon made their possession count.

Ian Dunnett collected the rebound to play in Kunal Pradhan at the left post for his fourth of the season.

Styx's second goal came within minutes as Nick Duck went on a mazy run, found space on the right of the D and finished under the diving keeper. Bourne were reduced to attacking on the break and the home defence held together very well.

Simon Gilbert was snuffing out the wing threat and Joe Whitehead commanding the line, leaving reserve goalkeeper Rob Ellis little to do.

Pradhan stole in on the back post midway through the second half to jab home his second goal in a man-of-the-match performance.

Frustrated at their lack of chances, Bourne were momentarily reduced to nine men after two yellow cards were shown in quick succession.

Ross Hopkins then completed the 4-0 scoreline with a reverse sweep over the despairing net minder for Crostyx's first cleansheet for over 30 league matches. Styx entertain Redbridge & Ilford, now only one place above them, on Saturday.

Meanwhile the ladies drew 1-1 in an even match away at Letchworth.

The hosts scored first on the break, but Donna Blockley slotted home from a short corner routine to make it 1-1 going in at half-time.

Alys Hackett forced a save from the keeper and Jo Campling came close, as player-of-the-match Keely Pratt worked tirelessly in central midfield, and Letchworth also saw their attacks thwarted.

Crosyx travel to Thurrock for a bottom-of the-table clash in the East Hockey Premier League on Saturday.