INCREASED work rate held the key as New College claimed a vital 2-0 home win over Old Woodstock to move them further away from the relegation places.

Dave Kinuthia and Jordan Ball scored the goals as the students secured three vital points as they look to climb the Division One West table.

With manager Rob Hopkins away, coach Matt Cosnett took charge and was impressed with what he saw.

“We got the lads into a bit of a better mindset to work hard off the ball, and to keep in the game as long as possible because the opposition had a new manager and were going to come out flying,” he said.

“The lads worked hard off the ball and when they lost it they worked hard to win it back and we couldn’t have asked for anything more from them really.

“They came off knackered at the end which showed they did what we asked of them and kept the game close all the way through.

“We’ve had a bit of a tough run of results recently so it was great to get a win against a good team.

“Last year was hard for us because with the technical players we have we should have done better but we’ve turned a little bit of a corner and the team spirit is a lot better.”

Cosnett was particularly impressed with 17-year-old Hellenic League debutant Alex Baker who picked up the man of the match award.

“Alex Baker, a second year, came in at right back and did really well and got man of the match and that was great to see on his Hellenic League debut,” he said.

“He kept things simple and played the way we asked them too and we were really pleased with what they produced.

“Jordan Ball is only 16 and scored the second and that’s great for his development.”