CITY of York Men I led Southport a merry sand-dance despite the inclusion of three Egyptian internationals in the hosts' ranks.

The trio, who had all featured in the Athens Olympics, had been recruited by the Seasiders in an effort to lift the club off the bottom of the Northern Hockey League premier division.

But York turned on the style to win 3-1, the opening goal coming after just seven minutes when Nick Carter put away a powerful strike.

York sprayed the ball about with great confidence and almost made it 2-0 when Fozzie Foster lifted a shot over the bar.

The individual quality of some of the Southport players created problems for York and Ashley Watson had to pull off some smart saves.

But York doubled their lead when Foster slotted home after a reverse stick shot by Ollie Couttie came back off the 'keeper's pads.

Southport threatened on the break but York surged further in front when Carter notched his second goal ahead of the hosts' late consolation.

City of York II continued their good form in NHL division two by beating LA Metros 2-1.

Glyn Brooks-Humphrey fired York level from the penalty spot after Metros' had taken the lead.

The winner came when Chris Dutton delivered an aerial flick which the Metros 'keeper could only clear on to one of his defenders. The ball fell to Nick Casterton who scored.

Despite fielding a weakened side, City of York III beat Rotherham II 3-2 in Yorkshire League division one.

Peter Perryman slotted York ahead from a well-worked short corner. Defying injury, Simon Grey, made it 2-0.

Rotherham pulled a goal back but Grey restored York's two-goal advantage and although the South Yorkshire side scored again, York, with Ed Marsden doing well, hung on.

Malcolm Gregg's shot deflected in off a defender's shin to give City of York IV a 1-0 win at King Cross in a poor division four encounter.

City of York V led twice, through Tom Sorby and Dave de Silva, but lost 3-2 to a last-minute goal at Bradford II. Debutant Matthew Haludi, made some great saves for York.

Another net-minder in form was Nathan Sorby. He excelled for City of York VI but could not prevent a 1-0 loss to Wakefield V.

Goals by Mark Dransfield and Richard Tanner-Smith earned City for York VIII a 2-1 win over Syngenta I in division seven.

City of York VIII had no game as opponents Halifax V have quit division ten.

Updated: 08:46 Tuesday, November 16, 2004