AUSTRALIAN striker Jason Russell netted twice as City of York won 3-0 at Wigan in the Northern Hockey League.

His first came inside two minutes after a fluent opening by York, who then went 2-0 up when Luke Griggs brought down a high ball and drove it into the roof of the net.

York were firmly in control but before half-time both teams lost players with Wigan suffering most.

Alex Gutteridge committed a foul on a Wigan player who then turned and struck Gutteridge across the face with his stick.

Gutteridge received a yellow card for the initial offence and had to leave the pitch for a minimum of five minutes. However, because of his injury he was eventually replaced by a substitute.

Wigan's player was red-carded for retaliation and York took advantage of playing just ten men when Luke Ramli moved the ball to Ollie Couttie, who passed superbly to Russell. The Aussie then worked a return pass with Glyn Humphrey before scoring smartly.

In-form City of York II added another big scalp to their growing reputation.

Last week they toppled leaders Norton I which allowed Leeds I to move to the top of the Northern Hockey League division two east table.

This week they met Leeds and beat them 3-1, a result which saw Newcastle University take over as new leaders. York play the students next week and will become the fourth side in four weeks to take top spot if they win.

Against Leeds, York were at their battling best, taking the lead after a 20th minute counter-attack.

Chris Dutton lobbed the ball to John Raper who sped down the flank before crossing to the Leeds circle where Kevin Shrimpton scored.

Two minutes later Dutton drove forward and his pass was converted by Kyle Hogg at the far post.

Leeds pulled a goal back in the second half with a short corner but York restored their two-goal margin when Peter Richardson pulled off a great tackle in midfield and fed Raper who put it past the Leeds 'keeper.

York survived the last 20 minutes, including a big penalty claim, and will be looking to hit new heights this Saturday.

City of York III maintained their position at the top of Yorkshire League division three with a last-minute 3-2 win at Lincoln II - their sixth win on the trot.

After ten minutes Graham Cook latched on to an aerial ball from Peter Perryman and fired in a shot which the Lincoln net-minder saved, but Simon Gray tucked in the rebound.

Ten minutes later Alex Bunton's mazy run cut open the home defence to set up a short corner for Matt Fletcher to score.

After using all their subs York lost their shape and Lincoln drew level before half-time. The second period was more an end-to-end affair but York grabbed the points when Ben Dutton forced a late short corner home at the third attempt.

Old Malton I beat Yorkshire League division five side City of York IV 1-0 with a goal set up by former York player Ed Shouksmith.

Steve Church made some telling saves for York, who were also well served by midfielder Andy Potts.

City of York V felt they did not have the rub of the green in their 3-2 defeat at the hands of Doncaster V in division seven.

Doncaster went ahead early on and York had goals by David de Silva and John Jenkin disallowed.

Doncaster made it 2-0 before the interval but York roared back as Nigel Herd set up John Jenkin to score and then Pat Birch knocked in the equaliser.

But Dave Rowlands was yellow-carded for dissent and Doncaster regained the lead and hung on to win a competitive contest.

City of York VI crashed 4-0 in division eight at Lincoln III, where 'keeper Tony Moffatt was the star performer.

City of York VII came out on top in their division nine derby game with Acomb II.

Tim Jolly scored both York goals with Acomb's effort coming late on.

Two second half goals enabled City of York III to beat Ben Rhydding VIII in the first round of the Yorkshire League Lower Divisions Cup. Steve Archer had opened the scoring for York, who came from 2-1 down to win.

Updated: 09:11 Tuesday, November 18, 2003