CITY of York Hockey Club could find themselves up against National League opposition after winning a dramatic penalty shoot-out in the second round of the HEL Cup.

They beat Yorkshire foes Ben Rhydding 4-3 on penalty strokes after the tie ended 4-4 in normal time. The draw for the third round, to be played on November 3, will be made later this week.

The omens did not look good against Ben Rhydding as Paul Sangwin failed a late fitness test and Chris Dutton came off after 20 minutes with a hamstring injury.

However, York set the early pacewith goals from Mark Little and Ollie Couttie puting them ahead.

The Ilkley-based side pulled level shortly after the break but York regained the lead when Little collected a poor pass out of defence to make it 3-2. Ben Rydding equalised again and ten minutes from time went in front.

York pressed hard to make it 4-4 and were rewarded when Little completed his hat-trick, forcing the ball into the corner.

In extra time, a superb save by Simon Burnett denied Ben Rhydding a winning golden goal. The tie went to penalty strokes.

Little converted York's opener, while Nick Carter's stroke was saved. But successful shots by Luke Griggs, James Gilbert and Couttie saw York through.

The result went a long way to boosting morale after they lost 3-1 at home to Northern League premier division favourites Sheffield University Bankers, who scored all their goals in the first half.

Couttie pulled a goal back after the interval after good work by Little and only a fine diving save denied Gyn Humphrey a goal on his return to the first team.

Dutton went close twice - one effort being controversially blocked on the line by a defender.

Gordon Jennings defended well for York and Jimmy Riley pulled off a great save at his near post in the second half after Sheffield resorted to long ball tactics.

City Of York II beat Sheffield University Bankers 3-1 in North East League division two.

City of York VI were hammered 8-0 at Leeds IV in Yorkshire League division seven, but City of York VIII beat Ben Rhydding VII 4-2 with goals by Sam Blackburn (2), Russell Grant and Josh Bolton.

Mark Burn saved a penalty for York, for whom Bev Smalley and John Harrison starred in defence.

York St John's College I ripped apart Doncaster VI for a 10-0 division ten triumph.

It was a personal success for Tom Carter, who scored a double hat-trick in only his second game since joining St John's.

The remaining goals were shared between Martyn French and Ben Foster.

Updated: 11:17 Tuesday, October 15, 2002