OUT-OF-FORM City of York men’s I slumped to a 3-1 defeat at basement side Formby in the North Hockey League premier division.

York started well and opened the scoring when Lee Cuffe smartly deflected in a pass from Alex Cockram. The teams then traded short corners without adding to the score before an uncharacteristic error in the City of York defence gifted the home side an equaliser before half-time.

The second half started poorly for York when Formby scored within a minute to take a 2-1 lead. Led by Ben Bull in midfield, City of York responded well and were rewarded with a penalty stroke.

Having scored two the previous week, Alex Cockram saw his effort come back off a post. Luke Staveley and Matt Redwood starred in the York defence, but they were unable to prevent Formby sealing their 3-1 win with a goal ten minutes from time.

But it was celebration all the way for City of York II after they secured the Yorkshire League division one championship with four games to spare, as they cruised to victory over second-placed Hull at Huntington School.

York went into the game knowing victory over their nearest rivals would secure an immediate return to the premier division after relegation 12 months earlier.

Hull enjoyed the early possession, forcing a few penalty corners without threatening. York’s pace was always going to cause the Hull backline some problems, and so it proved as they raced into a two-goal lead in the space of five first-half minutes.

First Matt Hays picked out the bottom corner when put through on goal, before Will Broadbent swept home after a cross picked him out unmarked bang in front of goal.

A frenetic spell of action was complete when Hull pulled a goal back, the initial penalty corner was charged down, and the strike from the rebound was deflected so that the ball agonizingly crept inside the post.

York rallied and spurned a host of chances before Dan Tompkins got the crucial touch to score.

An expected rally from the visitors never really materialised, and had it not been for more wasteful finishing York could have bagged a hatful of goals.

The eventual 3-1 win was their tenth victory in a row.

With the side now 18 points clear of Hull, they will seek to continue their strong form for the remainder of the season.

However, promotion is slipping away from City of York III after their 3-0 defeat by Lincoln I in Yorkshire division two.

Lincoln led 1-0 at half-time and doubled their lead by pouncing on a York defensive error.

Despite York applying pressure, they were unable to respond and Lincoln scored a breakaway third.

Man-of-the-match was Tom Norman for his tireless running.

Luck was out for City of York IV, who had two penalties saved and another shot hacked off the line as they fell 3-0 to Huddersfield thirds in division three.

After a blank first half, York were caught napping by two early goals. York piled on the pressure at the end but it wasn’t their day.

City of York V rallied from 3-1 down at Driffield to win 5-3 in division five north. On target were Todd (2), Harry Heyes, Nick Phillips and Lewis Inman.

Despite a spirited performance in which they held division five north leaders Bradford II for most of the match, City of York VI lost 3-1.

Yet to drop a popint all term, Bradford broke the deadlock, but within minutes excellent midfield work by Nick Phillips was met with a clinical finish by Joe Ball to level.

An excellent second-half save by ’keeper Dave Horn kept York in the mix.

But Bradford then scored on the break before a second late strike to shatter the home resistance.

City of York IX’s recent run of good form was maintained with a battling 3-3 home draw against Leeds sevenths in division seven.

The home side withstood a sustained period of pressure in the first ten minutes before going ahead with an opportunistic strike from Alex Triffitt.

A cameo appearance from club president Clive Marshall was rewarded with an assist to a fine team goal scored by Andy Dent.

Leeds reduced the arrears just before half-time but York hit back immediately with a fine individual second by Triffitt.

Chasing the game in the second half, Leeds bossed possession and scored twice to secure a deserved share of the spoils.

City of York Badgers went down 3-0 at home to Bradford.