York 1sts rolling on rocky run

City began well and created a number of opportunities but it was the hosts who went ahead, scoring three times before half-time.

After the break City's pressure was rewarded after ten minutes with a goal by Jason Russell.

Unfortunately two more goals were conceded before Russell scored a second.

It was to City's credit that their heads never went down despite the 5-2 margin and that they persevered to the final whistle.

Sheffield University Bankers were definitely the weekend's bogey club.

City of York II were at home to Bankers II and began well, creating as many chances as their visitors in an even first half.

At the start of the second half it was all City, who won a short corner from which a goalmouth scramble ensued before Glyn Humphrey put City ahead.

Two more chances followed but neither was converted before the game entered a disjointed phase, inexplicable umpiring decisions unsettling the players.

Two yellow cards were issued to City players at different times and so for a good period of the second half City were down to ten men.

During this period Bankers took advantage, scoring from two short corners.

Back up to full strength in the last few minutes, City pressed hard but could not take advantage when Bankers had a man sent off.

City of York III restored a little self-respect drawing 2-2 with Sheffield University Bankers V in YHL Division 3.

The York ranks suffered a 'barndoor' day with chance after chance being missed.

After 20 minutes Bankers went ahead following a fast breakaway but Ian Wiggins, from open play, equalised just before half-time.

In the second half, sloppy defending yielded Bankers a goal but Peter Perryman, with a flick at a short corner, levelled.

In the last few minutes Ali Brennan had a one-on-one with the Bankers' 'keeper but was thwarted.

City of York II lost 4-2 at Leeds University IV where they were badly let down by sloppy defence.

The students were three goals up at the end of 15 minutes and kept this lead up to half-time.

City began the second half more fluently but conceded another before they really got into gear.

Sam Blackburn pulled one back and then, with a quarter of an hour to go, Denis Hootton scored a second. Simon Casterton in defence was impressive.

City of York V should have been playing a YHL Div 7 game against Kingston-upon-Hull V.

But Hull have dropped out of the League and so City had a friendly against St Peter's School I, losing 3-1.

City of York VI, away to LA Metros V, put on a good performance and for 20 minutes pinned the Leeds team in its own half.

A fine run by Greg Sykes should have resulted in a goal but, rather than laying it off, he ran it into a crowded circle.

Gradually Metros came back and from a short corner fired in a shot which Tony Moffat saved but the follow-up put Metros ahead.

After the break York applied all the pressure. Oliver Scully came close to an equaliser and the last few minutes brought a bout of frenzied pressure in Metros' goalmouth.

City of York VII had little trouble dealing with visitors Scarborough II.

Skipper Alistair Blacklee put City ahead before half-time and then, after the interval, Ben Foster added another before Scarborough hit back. A Mark Dransfield goal sealed the result.

City of York VIII shared an exciting 4-4 draw at LA Metros VII, leaders of YHL Division 10.

Les Reed put City ahead then Patrick Herriott fired in a shot which took a deflection to put City two up.

The best goal, coming via Patrick Feetenby down the left to Ben Hildreth, then to Patrick Herriott, was put away by Reed. He added his third soon after.

Sloppy defending let in Metros for a goal before half-time.

In the second half Metros hit three goals with York grateful for two Alex Herriott goal-line clearances and two Nathan Sorby saves.

Blooming good show

AFTER a hat-trick for City of York Ladies in the last North League game before the mid-season break, Kate Rorrison went one better as the campaign re-started, scoring all the goals in a 4-0 home win over Roseberry.

Such a result seemed unlikely in the early stages when the Middlesbrough-based visitors were twice denied by good saves from York 'keeper Dawn Hopkins.

But, with their midfielders pushing forward at every opportunity, York took control on 18 minutes when Rorrison scored from Sam Binns' quickly taken free-hit.

Then, from York's first penalty corner, corner-taker Rorrison touched in Paula Clough's drive from the edge of the circle. She completed a first half hat trick in similar fashion, this time Karen Howells providing the crucial pass.

Sarah Lawrence's clever run and centre provided an easy fourth goal for Rorrison early in the second half, while Sally Sleightholme and Mandy Nesbit went close.

Meanwhile, in division two of the Yorkshire League City of York Ladies II had an emphatic 8-0 win at Northallerton, Steph Pearson (4), Jess Barnes (3) and Sue Draper scoring the goals.

In division five, City of York Ladies III were held 1-1 at half-time at home to Halifax III but scored twice after the break. On target were Sam Clowes, Lucy Stubley and Sarah Hughes.

To round-off a successful day, City of York Ladies IV won 3-0 in their division six game at Halifax IV. Heather Stafford kept up her good scoring form with two goals, Brenda Strachan also finding the net.

Anguish hits Acomb aces

A LATE strike ensured Yorkshire League division one anguish for Acomb men's 1st X1.

Away to Gainsborough Roses, Acomb took the lead midway through the first half with a well worked penalty corner routine finished by Matt Dickenson. Pressure on the opposition was kept up right through the first half, but just before the interval, Gainsborough equalised with a break-away goal.

After a well-fought second half both sides were level going into the last minute of the game, thanks to both 'keepers making good saves.

But with virtually the last hit of the match Gainsborough took advantage of a couple of slips by Acomb, a home raider sliding the ball under the diving Tangerines' net-minder.

The last-gasp filching of the points left Acomb wondering where their luck ran out.

Acomb seconds started fluently at home to their York St John's University 1st X1 rivals when a well-worked cross from Barrie Whitfield was finished off by Leighton Shaw.

But then Acomb buckled under instant pressure and conceded three goals.

However, the game had to be abandoned after 30 minutes due to a waterlogged pitch, which should make for an intriguuing clash when they resume hostilities.

But there was no such reprieve in the 2nd Team Cup in which Acomb 2nds crashed out 4-1 to Normanby Park some 24 hours later.

Division nine outfit Acomb started well against their division five opponents. But the divisional gap soon showed when the visitors scored two quick goals.

Acomb countered with a deserved goal but, in the end, the pressure was too great and Normanby Park scored two more.

The deficit may have been worse but for Acomb goalkeeper and man of the match, Matt Radford.

In a clash of the division one strugglers, Acomb Ladies 1st XI prevailed 4-2 away to Sheffield Hallam 3rd XI.

Acomb got the upper hand by going 1-0 up within five minutes through Jenna Allinson who swept in a pass from Kerry Rafton.

Sheffield applied stern pressure and got a goal back, but were unable to make any more inroads thanks to battling defence crowned by a fine display from player of the match, Wendy Watson.

Just before half-time Acomb took the lead again through a well-struck short corner by Vicky Burden.

The second half started well for Acomb, who increased their lead through a solo run and strike from Kerry Rafton.

Sheffield fought well pinning Acomb back in their half for a good ten minutes but Acomb managed to break away and score a fourth goal by Ann Pye. Sheffield countered late on and, from a short corner, trimmed the deficit to 4-2, but there was no denying the Acomb visitors returning home with a fully-merited maximum reward.

Updated: 10:46 Tuesday, February 03, 2004