MISFIRING City of York Hockey Club's Men's I team will be sent to finishing school after their 1-1 draw with Didsbury Northern.

A host of missed opportunities prevented York opening 2008 with a victory in the Northern Hockey League premier division.

Alex Cockram and Simon Grey created numerous chances in the first half, but City let their visitors off the hook.

Didsbury scored a breakaway goal ten minutes into the second half.

The equaliser came when Cockram broke down the left and slapped the ball in to Chris Wilson, whose deflection gave Ryan Jacobs the scoring chance.

Nick Carter was impressive in the York defence, but the side's finishing will need to improve if they are to complete a double over Doncaster II this weekend.

City of York II were beaten 6-3 away to Chapeltown I in division two east.

City trailed 6-0 midway through the second half before they found their form.

A short corner was converted by Tony Brimble and, five minutes later, a quick free hit from Nick Casterton to Chris Dutton created the chance for Matt Redwood to score a second.

After a Chapeltown player was carded for a rash tackle, Casterton bagged a third.

In Yorkshire League division one, City of York III were beaten 6-2 by visitors Gainsborough Roses I.

York trailed 3-0 at the break and they doubled their lead early in the second half.

Goals in the final ten minutes from Matt Tipper and Ed Shouksmith did little to disguise York's dismal display.

City of York IV were minus a 'keeper for their trip to Thirsk I and they were duly beaten 6-4.

The City goals came in the second half from Tim Lister (2), Sam Inns and Sam Blackburn.

The club's V team and VI side were pitted against each other in division four and the game ended in a 3-3 draw.

York VI wasted several chances before Matthew Newlove put them 1-0 up, but Will Ellis levelled before half-time.

Ellis put York V in front, only for Glen Pearson to equalise.

Patrick Herriott looked to have won the game for City V, but Pearson forced yet another equaliser.

In division five, City of York VII were held to an entertaining 4-4 draw by West Yorkshire Police I.

The Police took the lead twice, but City stayed in contention with equalisers from Johnny Kilmartin and Rob Prentice.

Late in the second half, Tim Jolly put City in front with a finish from a narrow angle, but a short-corner goal with the last play of the game earned the Police a draw.

City of York VIII were without a game, while York IX were unable to play their division nine game against Sheffield University Bankers XI as the term had not yet begun.

Elsewhere in division nine, Acomb II were held to a 1-1 draw away to Harrogate VI.

Acomb made a bright start and took the lead after ten minutes when Martin Grainge scored a rebound after the Harrogate 'keeper had saved Paul Yoward's short corner strike.

Acomb continued to pressure Harrogate, but they conceded an unfortunate goal 15 minutes later.

The Harrogate 'keeper kept Acomb at bay in the second half with several good saves.

City of York X were beaten 3-0 away to Kingston-upon-Hull V in division ten. City started with seven men and conceded once before the remaining players arrived.

However, they failed to make the most of their chances.