OXTON men's made their North Conference National league debut against local rivals Deeside Ramblers, writes Nikolas Heyes.

The game started at a blistering pace with both sides having equal chances, but it was Oxton who opened the scoring through Ali McKenzie's low powerful dragflick.

With Oxton on the front foot opportunities came thick and fast, although there were some simple errors from the Wirral outfit.

Within four minutes, Deeside levelled through a short corner from Ali Ghazanfar.

Oxton skipper Neil Worral scored a well-worked goal to put the visitors in front in the 26th minute before the hosts levelled again two minutes later through Tommy Hill.

Both teams went into the break having plenty of chances to put the game to bed and it restarted at the same pace as before, with Deeside taking the lead for the first time with Ghazanfar scoring his second.

Only minutes later Oxton won a short corner which was turned in by Mark Worrall.

The home side took advantage of their opportunities in the D with another two short corners dispatched, despite Oxton's best efforts, Ghazanfar completing his hat-trick with Warwick Ryan-Beswick bagging the fifth from close range.

Oxton did not give up though despite being 5-3 down with just four minutes to go and Callum McDougall gave them hope with a fantastic backhand finish from a tight angle.

Oxton were now pressing hard in the last two minutes and created one final chance after winning a short corner and McKenzie fired home his second of the game.