BELOW-PAR City of York I look destined for a mid-table finish in the Northern Hockey League premier division after a 1-0 home defeat against Alderley Edge.

Injuries, illness and work commitments meant they went into the game with four changes from the side that had beaten Oxton and Southport in previous weeks.

York also had a reduced number of substitutes and never really got in their stride although the Cheshire side's 20th-minute winner was controversial. There was a scramble on the York goal-line and it appeared that one of the visitors kicked the ball over the line - an offence not spotted by the umpire.

York did improve after the interval but Alderley Edge defended well and were unlucky not to double their lead when they had a goal disallowed from a short corner.

York II, in with a chance of securing the NHL division one (east) top spot, had to reshuffle because of first team demands and were held 3-3 at Slazengers I.

The York midfield was all over the place early on and Slazengers, who included ex-York player-coach Mike Thornicroft in their ranks, stormed into a 3-0 lead in the first half-hour.

Eventually York got some shape into their play and pulled a goal back before half-time through John Raper.

They countered Slazengers' long-ball tactics by pulling back more defenders, gaining possession and swiftly attacking. This paid off with a goal from Glyn Brooks-Humphrey and seven minutes from the end John McRory put away the equaliser.

City had claims for a penalty turned down near the end when Steve Prankett was bundled off the ball as he was about to put it into an empty net.

Goals by Alex Cockram (2) and Graham Cook gave City of York III a 3-0 win at Huddersfield II.

Richard Schofield made several good saves for York, whose victory was sealed by Cockram's short corner strike near the end.

Failure to take their chances cost City of York IV dear as they were beaten 4-1 at home by Leeds III in division five.

Leeds put away their only two chances of the first half and, although Nick Fitton netted his first goal of the season, Leeds scored two more after the interval while York contrived to miss more chances.

David de Silva marked his birthday with a hat-trick in York V's 6-2 division seven victory over Huddersfield VI.

Other goals in a routine victory for an impressive York side came through Tom Sorby, Wayne Stephens and an opponent. Stuart Burke and Tom Rowlands defended well for York.

A 2-1 defeat at division eight leaders Hull University II was poor reward for an excellent performance by City of York VI, whose goal came from a reverse stick shot by Ben Foster.

Martyn Sykes came close to scoring before the students snatched the winner ten minutes from time. Oliver Scully, Graham Todd and Greg Sykes all played well for York.

Goals by Les Reed (3), Patrick Herriott and Jackson earned City of York VIII a 5-3 win at LA Metros VIII.

Record perishes against Stones barrier

CITY of York Ladies' unbeaten run of four North League games came to an end with a 1-0 defeat at Driffield.

York had much the better of the first half but found it hard to break through a well-organised eight-player Driffield defence, with goalkeeper Lucy Wilson making several good saves.

Sally Sleightholme went close to scoring early on and, while Jacqui Birch defended well against a rare Driffield break, York should have taken advantage of a series of five consecutive penalty corners ten minutes before the interval.

Their failure to do so was almost punished soon after the interval when 'keeper Dawn Hopkins did well to save from a Driffield penalty stroke.

But relief was short-lived when Driffield again broke away midway through the half for Sarah Stones to score the decisive goal with an angled shot after two mistimed York tackles.

Driffield were reduced to ten players late on after a yellow card suspension but, despite Sarah Lawrence's promptings from York's midfield, the home defence remained solid to deny York.

Meanwhile, in division two of the Yorkshire League, City of York Ladies II had a disappointing 2-1 defeat at lowly Richmond, Sue Draper scoring York's goal.

In division five, City of York Ladies III drew 1-1 at home to Ben Rhydding V, with a goal from Krista Siddall.

City of York Ladies IV shipped three goals in the first 20 minutes in a 5-2 division six defeat at Selby. Anna Parkinson and Heather Stafford scored York's goals with Hannah Longster taking the player of the match award.

Under-strength Nestl Rowntree put on a gritty performance to beat Olympics 1-0 in a close fought Costcutter York Ladies' League encounter.

Nestl 'keeper Elaine Robinson produced some great saves in the first half and Olympics had a goal disallowed.

Within minutes of the second half Claire Trodden fired in the only goal from a pass by Natalie O'Connor.

Stamford Bridge won 2-1 at Pickering with goals from Adele Pryce and Lucinda Wood, the latter set up by Claire Wright's pass.

Stamford played well as a team which showed during the first half with Pryce scoring the first goal. A cross from Wright to Wood put them 2-0 up at half-time.

Player of the match Annette Atkin, Bridge's goalkeeper, saved several shots in the second half and after Bridge were reduced to ten players, Pickering pulled a goal back in the last minute.

Updated: 08:58 Tuesday, February 24, 2004