AFTER a string of Yorkshire League Division Two defeats, Acomb finally broke their duck.

They beat Leeds University II 1-0 in a game put back from the opening day of the season as the students' term had not started.

A close game saw Acomb miss several good chances before Barry Whitfield latched on to a Nick Linfoot pass to sweep the ball home.

Acomb defender Simon Theaker was sin-binned but ten-man Acomb hung on despite jangling nerves as the younger university side failed to convert numerous penalty corners.

Stuart Baxter excelled at sweeper and Mike Brown made critical saves.

City of York returned to winning ways in the Northern League Premier Division with a 2-1 win over Rotherham.

But for an inspired display by the South Yorkshire side's goalkeeper, York would have won by a greater margin.

York, beaten 3-1 by Oxton the week before, were quickly into their stride with some crisp passing and took the lead midway through the first half with an individual effort by James Gilbert.

But having got their noses in front, York relaxed and some slack defending enabled Rotherham to equalise shortly after the interval.

However, York rallied on the back of some improved rarguard action by Gordon Jennings and Matt Couttie to reassert their authority over the visitors.

Australian striker Jason Russell was denied by the inspired Rotherham net-minder on several occasions but he was left helpless by Richard Jenkins' winner, a shot which fizzed into the net from the top of the circle.

York were comfortable after that and kept the Rotherham goalkeeper busy without adding to the score.

The victory leaves them in third place behind leaders Sheffield University Bankers and Harrogate and this coming Saturday York entertain Ben Rhydding at Huntington School (2pm).

City of York II suffered their first defeat in division two East, going down 2-1 at Wakefield in a mediocre match.

York drew first blood with a fine individual effort by Chris Dutton (pictured below). He dribbled his way through a clutch of defenders and slipped a reverse stick shot beyond the home 'keeper.

But by half-time Wakefield were in front, the winner coming as a result of a defensive mix-up between Roz Ramli and Rob Anderson.

The match was evenly balanced after that, but York will need to improve if they are to make any impression at Stockton in their next league game this Saturday.

There were no other league games for any of the York teams.

Acomb beat Leeds Adel Metros II 5-4 in the Yorkshire Mixed League with Ian Roberton scoring twice, including a penalty stroke.

Jason Sharpe scored with a fine sweeping strike and goals from Gemma Hall and Chris Foster completed the Acomb scoring.

Wendy Watson, Jo Brooke and Vicki Burden cut out the opposition and when they failed Simon Theaker's and P Kellett's steady nerves were crucial.

Updated: 11:12 Tuesday, October 28, 2003