ACOMB men’s I stormed to a 6-2 derby triumph over City of York V in Yorkshire Hockey League division four north.

A superb passing display proved to be the key to the Tangerines’ victory over an out of sorts City of York side at Energise as league action resumed after a three-week Christmas and New Year break.

Matt Dickenson’s penalty corner sweep gave the Tangerines a 24th-minute lead, but the visitors responded a couple of minutes later with a fierce Pete Richardson strike.

An instinctive save from Craig Brown and a goal disallowed from a high penalty corner strike kept the visitors out.

Acomb pressed down the right through David Brown and Nick Linfoot, but were thwarted by sound City of York defence.

However, they added a second goal a minute before half-time as man-of-the-match Mark Gibbons forced home a rebound off the York ’keeper.

Sam Lynn struck his first Tangerines goal within minutes of the restart after rounding the back line.

A quick passing move found Harry Ellis slotting the ball home to extend the lead.

Two minutes later, Dickenson found the corner of the net from a low penalty corner drag flick.

Acomb sat back with a four goal lead and got a little slack, while skipper Baz Whitfield was yellow-carded for a rash tackle.

James Fitton’s reverse stick strike arrowed sharply past Brown to give the visitors hope.

Dickenson’s strike into the circle was then deflected in by the York ’keeper for Acomb’s sixth goal.

In the same division, City of York VI were beaten 4-0 at home by Halifax III.

City of York III remain third from bottom of division two following a 5-1 home defeat by high-flying Lincoln Roses II.

Roses proved far too strong for York, whose consolation goal came from Tim Lister. Sam Baker was the home side’s man of the match.

Despite the defeat, York’s team performance increased confidence that they can avoid another relegation scrap.

A second-half surge by division three leaders Ben Rhydding III consigned City of York IV to a 6-2 defeat.

Fourth-placed York competed well for most for the game, but they switched off for a crucial 15-minute spell in the second half.

Ben Rhydding scored two early goals, one a freak own goal off a defender’s foot.

As York settled, Russ Bowry cut across the ‘D’ and hammered home to make it 2-1 and, five minutes later, Danny Vaughan put in a perfect cross from the left and Will Broadbent deflected home a spectacular equaliser.

In the second period, Ben Rhydding proved too experienced for a young York side and scored four unanswered goals.

Third from bottom Acomb II were beaten 6-0 at division five north leaders Driffield III, while City of York VII lost 5-3 at home to Bingley Bees I in the same division.

City of York VIII opened 2014 with a much-needed win – a 6-3 success at home to Ben Rhydding VII in division six north.

The home side seized possession from Ben Rhydding’s pushback at the start of the game and Adam Iyer set up James Crellin to score the opening goal.

The visitors levelled and although Iyer made it 2-1 to York, Ben Rhydding led 3-2 at the break.

York dominated the rest of the match, with Iyer scoring four second half goals.

York Badgers enjoyed a 4-0 win at home to Bradford.

York dominated the early exchanges and were rewarded with a goal from Andrew Hyams.

George Good and Hamish Broadbent controlled the midfield and the lead was extended by Hyams. Quick thinking by Jack Fletcher on a penalty hit led to Hyams completing his hat-trick.

A fourth goal by Hyams rounded off a superb team performance.