After a five week lay-off with no games and no outdoor training because of frozen conditions City of York I lost 2-1 to Wigan I to re-start the second half of the NHL premier division.
City began well and midway through the first half went ahead from a Nick Carter short corner.
Wigan were showing little initiative, but York made little of the opportunities presented to them.
At half-time coach Nigel Herd felt that with concentration his team would build on their lead and secure the three points.
Unfortunately, the plan did not work and City had only themselves to blame. Repeatedly the ball was given away and Wigan were able to be a much bigger threat.
A stroke of luck put Wigan back in the running when a short corner strike was deflected by Luke Griggs on to his near post, rebounded along the goal line to his far post and then into the net.
With five minutes to go, Wigan stormed into City's goalmouth where Karim Ramli executed a perfectly clean tackle. But with the ball bouncing harmlessly away the two players collided and Ramli was adjudged to have committed a foul.
Wigan had no problem converting the penalty stroke to win.
City of York III opened the scoring at Huddersfield II where Brian Nalen dribbled the ball at speed from midfield to fire in a narrow angled shot.
York were dominating through Nick Elliott in midfield and Alex Burton in defence, but could not add to their score. As legs tired one defensive error allowed Huddersfield to level.
City of York IV walloped visitors Tadcaster Magnets I 5-0.
Tadcaster began in style and in the first ten minutes bombarded City's goal.
Resolute defending, particularly by Nick Fitton, plus some outstanding goalkeeping by Matt Merrick, prevented Tadcaster taking the lead.
Gradually, City of York countered and took the lead through a far-post tap in by Damien Greig.
Five minutes later a superb run at the Tad circle by Alex Cockram opened up the defence so that his slip pass to Ed Shouksmith on the penalty spot could be flicked home.
After the interval Sam Blackburn stroked the ball through a gap for Cockram to crack home.
Within two minutes Cockram struck again after a daring midfield tackle by Jules Bellerby.
A powerful run and strike by Chris Allerton sealed an overwhelming victory.
City of York V were on the wrong end of a seven-goal thriller at Rotherham IV.
Rotherham took the lead but then a terrific passing movement involving James Still led to a goal from Wayne Stephens.
A rocket of a shot from the top of the 'D' by skipper Pat Birch took York into the lead but the home team levelled by half-time.
With a powerful strike one minute into the second half Richard Cockram put City back in front but, despite a good performance from Graham Dales and an excellent display from 'keeper Ashley Watson, Rotherham retorted with a brace of goals to snatch the points.
City of York VI lost 2-1 at home to Huddersfield VI in a lacklustre display.
Chances were created by City before Doug Thompson followed a well-worked combination to score with a deflection off Huddersfield's 'keeper.
One goal was never going to be enough against a lively Huddersfield outfit and as marking became undisciplined and a number of decisions went against them City grew rattled.
Huddersfield capitalised and with seven minutes to go put away the equaliser before notching the winner in the final minute.
Updated: 12:35 Tuesday, January 14, 2003
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article