Dudley Knights 0, Rugeley 8 SKIPPER Sol Buckner’s Christmas wish failed to materialise as his side capitulated to a ninth consecutive league defeat on Saturday.

Rookie ‘keeper Mark Turner was forced to pick the ball out of the net six times in the first half as the visitors ran riot in the last league game before the festive break.

In the second half, good work from Buckner, makeshift midfielder Adam Pritchard and striker Ed Parkes produced several chances.

Parkes’s sublime reverse stick shot was well saved by the ‘keeper while Buckner also went agonisingly close after bursting through from midfield.

Despite the improvement the visitors grabbed two more to leave Buckner scratching his head.

He said: “All I wanted for Christmas was three points but we seem to take one step forward and two steps back. I never thought starting your own hockey club would be so tough.

“We have a four week break from the league now which is much needed. We have competed at times but we need to do it on a more regular basis. Let’s hope the new year will inspire a victory in the second half of the season.”

The Knights will play two friendly fixtures at The Dell Stadium in Pensnett on Saturday. They will play Dudley Ladies at 12pm and against Kingswinford Third team at 2.30pm.