Just champion

They crushed Lytham 9-2 to guarantee the championship, after going a goal down.

The equaliser came two minutes later when James Gilbert flicked in a rebound from the keeper's pads after Nick Carter had fired in a shot.

Mark Little came off the bench and with only his second touch put York 2-1 up. Glyn Humphrey extended City's lead before half-time from a narrow angle.

That was the platform York needed and the second half was a rout as Chris Dutton was able to get on the end of long passes and aerial balls down the flanks to score twice.

Humphrey went on to complete his hat-trick and Gilbert added another before the hosts pulled a goal back.

Fittingly York had the final word. Paul Sangwin, repositioned from defence to midfield, blasted the ball home for his first goal of the season and York were able to celebrate in style at the final whistle.

Metro, who had already been relegated, were no match for the new champions the following day, losing 3-0. The victory took York to 52 points, one more than when they were promoted from the same league fours years ago.

Even without leading scorer Humphrey, York began brightly with Dutton and Volker Biederich leading the line, the young German going closest to breaking the deadlock when he latched on to a Gilbert pass but fired his reverse stick shot over the bar.

York eventually got their noses in front, Nick Carter firing in from the top of the 'D' after a short corner.

Chris Wilson added a second from close range in the second half and Biederich completed the scoring from a short corner.

York complete their league programme with a home game against Leeds next weekend.

City of York II picked up a valuable point in their fight for NHL Division Two East survival with a 2-2 draw against Tynemouth.

There is a possibility that four teams may be relegated so York will need every point they can muster.

Ian Wiggins, promoted from the third team, had a good game on his debut as York, without the influential Graham Cook and David Rowlands, fell 2-0 behind.

York felt hard done by to be two goals down and in the second half were much the better team and deservedly fought back.

Matt Couttie set up John McRory to pull a goal back at a short corner. With Adam Simpson and Oliver Couttie tireless in midfield, York went for the equaliser.

It came when Couttie was hacked down in the opponents' circle and got up to put the ball away from the penalty spot.

Tynemouth forced James Baughan into making a couple of good saves but York hung on for a priceless point.

Solid play by City of York III enhanced their promotion chances from Yorkshire League division four with a 2-0 win at Sheffield Hallam IV with goals from James Flint and Matt Todd, the latter after a great solo run.

Jason Bemrose, who set up Flint's opener, and Graham Guffick both missed chances for York, while Flint had a goal disallowed.

City of York IV let slip a 2-0 lead at home to Ben Rhydding III with the Ilkley side's equaliser coming just before the final whistle.

Edward Shouksmith darted in to slip an Andy Potts shot between the Ben Rydding 'keeper's legs after 20 minutes and two minutes later Alan Crompton, making his debut for City IV, doubled the advantage.

The visitors pulled a goal back and in a confusing finale - one umpire signalled two minutes to play and the other umpire added on two more minutes - snatched a last-gasp point.

City of York V, needing at least a point to avoid relegation from division six, managed it with a 4-4 draw with Ben Rhydding IV, with Matt Fletcher scoring all four goals.

He gave York a second-minute lead but Ben Rhydding moved 3-1 ahead before Fletcher completed his hat-trick to make it 3-3 at the interval.

Simon Casterton and Wayne Stephens, the latter promoted from City VIII, played well at the back but could not prevent Ben Rhydding making it 4-3 before Fletcher netted again for a point-saver. Simon Burnett had an excellent game in goal for York.

Battling City of York VI gained a valuable point from their 0-0 draw with Rotherham V which may spare them the drop into division eight.

Chris Ince had a goal disallowed and Tim Downie shaved a post after a fine run, while Chris Burn pulled off several fine stops in the York goal.

Phil Lancaster was City of York VII's top performer in their 2-0 defeat at Chapletown III.

Andy Dent was City of York VIII's scorer in their 4-1 home defeat at the hands of Syngenta I. Tom Greenwood did well in his first appearance as a 'keeper while Matt Merrick, the usual net minder, had a fine game in midfield.

Updated: 12:49 Tuesday, March 12, 2002