RESOLUTE City of York Ladies had a 3-1 North League win at home to Blackburn.

The Lancashire side had their fair share of possession but a determined York defence gave them few clear-cut chances while, at the other end, York's forwards scored three well-taken goals.

The first came on eight minutes when, after early Blackburn pressure, York broke down the right, Sarah Lawrence providing a fine cross for Sally Sleightholme to touch the ball high into the Blackburn net.

York defenders Ann Robinson and Jacqui Birch each cleared off the goal line to preserve the narrow advantage before York scored again soon after the interval, Katie Tindall rocketing the ball in from their first penalty corner of the game.

York's win seemed assured when Lorraine Pearey intercepted a pass out of the Blackburn defence to set up Sleightholme for the third goal. But, York had to work hard to the final whistle to ensure that Blackburn's late reply was nothing more than a consolation for the visitors.

In division two of the Yorkshire League, Sue Draper gave City of York Ladies II a 2-0 lead at home to Chapeltown. However, York failed to protect the advantage when short-handed Chapeltown scored before half-time and then equalised two minutes from the end of the game.

In division six, City of York Ladies III had another big win, 8-0 at Sheffield VI. Lucy Stubley (3), Sharon Caddie (2), Anwen Hughes, Sam Clowes and Becky Copperthwaite scored the goals, while defender Charlotte Craven made a fine clearance to preserve a defensive record of only eight goals conceded this season.

In the same division, the juniors of City of York Ladies IV also won, 1-0 at home to Slazengers II, Becky Raper scoring with a looping shot from the left side of goal.

Acomb Ladies I lost 4-1 against Lockwood Park in division one.

Acomb were weakened by the loss of four first team players and were 3-0 down by half-time.

The home side improved after the interval and centre forward Karen Boddison had a shot cleared off the line before setting up Acomb's goal for Jenna Allinson after fine play from Danielle Courtine and Amy Linfoot.

Nestl Rowntrees managed a thrashed visitors Dunnington 12 -0 in the York and District League.

Goals came from Sue Yoward, Julie Moore and Jane Markland with good support and excellent passing from Geraldine Fogg.

Nestl Rowntrees will soon be losing their right back Sarah Hastings as she is getting married and emigrating to Australia.

After winning the top spot in their British Universities League, York St John College Ladies I entered the first stage of the knock out round.

But they were thumped 10-2 by Liverpool John Moore's, who finished second in the division above St Johns.

John Moore's team featured three England squad players and nine National League players and St John's found themselves 6-0 down at half time.

The York side improved after the break and their first goal came when Liz Wilcock was halted by a bad foul in the attacking 'D' and Annabel Lee put away the penalty flick. A deflected effort by Amy Spencer gave York their second goal.

That tough game took its toll on St John's as they returned to Yorkshire League division four action but they still recorded a 5-1 win over Heckmondwike with goals from Becky Moore (2), Helen Rickaby, Kim Naylor and Liz Wilcock to maintain their unbeaten league record.

Goals by Ali Wilkinson (2), Bella Hardy, Emma Gordon, Claire Cave and captain Danielle Choma gave St John's College Ladies II a 6-0 win over Adel IV in division six.

Tadcaster Ladies collected another three points in their division two campaign with a 4-0 win over Doncaster.

Becky Cattle opened the scoring in the first minute and further goals came from Susie Richmond after a short corner, Laura Crevis and skipper Keri Hooley wrapped it all up with a penalty flick.

Updated: 08:50 Tuesday, March 04, 2003