CITY of York Ladies resumed their North Hockley League programme with a 2-1 home win against Springfields.

York started well and were rewarded with a goal on 15 minutes, Sally Sleightholme scored with a deflected shot from Paula Clough's pass.

Soon after half-time, York struck again, Kate Rorrison finding the net after good work by Lorraine Pearey.

The Lancastrian visitors put pressure on in the last quarter but, with Clough dominating midfield and debutant 'keeper, April Watson, making some good saves, Springfield managed only a consolation goal two minutes from time.

Meanwhile, in division one of the Yorkshire League, City of York Ladies II lost 2-1 at Halifax I.

York took the lead against the run of play when Steph Pearson scored from a penalty corner mid-way through the first-half, Halifax equalising right on half-time.

With Jacqui Birch, Ann Robinson and 'keeper, Lynne Gowland, working well in defence, York put up a much better second-half display and were unlucky to concede the deciding goal from a penalty corner.

City of York Ladies III lost 4-1 to York University in division four, Becky Copperthwaite scoring York's goal.

In division five, City of York Ladies IV drew 1-1 at Halifax III. York were unfortunate to be 1-0 down at half-time but Trish Salisbury equalised just after the break to ensure a share of the points.

Acomb Ladies I were beaten 2-0 at Oaklands by Colne Valley.

The Tangerines fell behind after ten minutes and the rest of the first half continued in the same vein with Acomb somewhat on the backfoot and valley netted again just before the interval.

Acomb came back strongly after half-time but were unable to make any impression on the Colne defence.

Sally Harrison was named Acomb's player of the match.

Acomb Ladies II were thrashed 9-0 at Old Johns.

In the York and District League, an injury-hit Nestl Rowntree lost 5-1 to a strong Old Malton team after taking the lead early on with a Margi Charlson goal from a cross in from Jane Markland.

A missed penalty by Nestl allowed Malton the chance to get back into the game and they pushed on to victory in the second half.

Disappointing York lose their way

A POOR second half display cost City of York men's first team dear at Timperley in the Northern Hockey Men's League premier division.

Clyde Connellan fired York ahead with a well-worked goal.

The Cheshire side levelled on 20 minutes and two soft goals just after the interval left York playing catch-up.

Luke Ramli put York back in the hunt after a goalmouth scramble from the second of two short corners.

But Timperley snatched away the initiative with two more goals before York staged a late rally and pulled a last-minute goal back through Matt Coutti.

Despite the 5-3 defeat against top class opposition, Couttie and Ramli were impressive in defence in front of goalkeeper Ashley Watson who made several top-drawer saves.

City of York II weathered a furious finish to beat Division Two East leaders Leeds I 3-2.

Chris Dutton converted Lee Cuffe's cross to open the scoring and York were unlucky not to go further ahead when Cuffe's drag flick hit the post.

Chris Smalley buried a shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the 'D' to make it 2-0.

With 15 minutes remaining, York looked on course for victory but Leeds drew level with two quickfire goals before Dutton snatched the winner with five minutes left.

However, it required a brave Roz Ramli tackle on a Leeds striker on the final whistle to guarantee victory.

Victory slipped through City of York III's fingers in their re-arranged Yorkshire League Division One game against LA Metros II at Huntington School.

Matt Todd and Graham Cook put York 2-0 up inside the opening three minutes but they missed several chances to put the game beyond Metros' reach.

After Neil Collinson had a goal disallowed, Metros stole a point with two goals in the final three minutes.

In the only other Saturday game for York teams, City of York VIII lost 5-2 in division ten at LA Metros VIII, Les Reed and Tim Jolly scoring. Nathan Sorby gave a sterling performance in goal.

On Sunday, City of York VII won 2-1 at Leeds University VI in division eight with goals from Tim Jolly and Ben Foster in the closing stages.

Bob Chelton was strong in defence and Ross Higginson pulled off a terrific on-line save.

City of York V went tumbling out of the League Cup when they were beaten 3-1 at home by Leeds University V, Leeds scoring twice in the last ten minutes. Tom Sorby netted for York.

City of York's Over 50s team were hammered 8-1 in the England Hockey Vintage Cup at Bowden.

The Cheshire side fielded several England Vintage internationals and their class told. Graham Todd scored the York goal.

Updated: 08:34 Tuesday, November 02, 2004