City of York Ladies gained a narrow 2-1 North League win at newly promoted Roseberry (Middlesbrough).

With York 'keeper Dawn Hopkins helped by a well-organised defence, there were few chances in an evenly fought first-half in which Sally Sleightholme came closest to scoring for York.

Sleightholme broke the deadlock after the break following good work by Katie Tindall and debutante Pam Rowbottom.

Roseberry soon equalised from a penalty corner, but Sleightholme secured the points for York three minutes from time with a goal set up by defence-splitting passes from Paula Clough and Lucie Fish.

In Yorkshire League division two, City of York Ladies' II match at Doncaster III was postponed.

Liz Wilcock scored a hat-trick as York St John's College I beat Bingley Bees 4-0 in division four.

Wilcock scored early on and added another before half-time to put St John's 2-0 up. Vicky Humble made it 3-0 from a penalty stroke and Wilcock completed her treble - her second in three games - almost on the stroke of full time.

In division six, City of York Ladies III lost 2-1 in the derby against York St John's II, despite taking the lead with a reverse stick shot from Becky Copperthwaite.

Helen Hawridge equalised by half time and Hannah Smith netted the winner for St John's.

In the same division, City of York Ladies IV won 2-0 at Tadcaster II with goals from Chantel Barnes and Jess Barnes.

Acomb Ladies I drew 2-2 with an impressive Halifax I, opening the scoring through Kerry Rafton from a short corner.

Halifax fought back strongly to lead 2-1 at half-time, but Rafton gained a point for Acomb with her second goal after good play by Karen Boddison.

Updated: 11:18 Tuesday, October 15, 2002