CITY of York completed a superb double over a rapidly-improving Rotherham side with a 5-2 victory in a bad-tempered game.

Since being thumped 4-0 earlier in the season, Rotherham have improved to climb into fourth in the table, while City have shown evidence of inconsistency despite leading the division.

But despite injuries and the unavailability of some players, York were quickly into their stride, with Volker Biederich pushing home a short corner.

Rotherham did not help their cause when they had a player sent off for dissent after arguing the decision to award a short corner.

The second goal was not long in coming with Chris Wilson feeding Mark Moisley to fire home.

But any complacency that may have been slipping into the York game was quickly blown away when Rotherham pulled a goal back before the break.

Injury forced City to reorganise at the break, and they came out for the second half looking to kill off the result, with Glyn Humphrey popping up to make it 3-1.

The ill-discipline of the Rotherham team was highlighted when after being awarded a free-hit, the umpire reversed his decision and then took the South Yorkshire side a further ten yards back, before awarding a short corner as the torrent of abuse continued. From this set-play, Humphrey's shot was deflected home by Rob Blackburn.

Rotherham did pull a second goal back, but Humphrey wrapped up the match with his second.

However the Rotherham ill-discipline continued with two men being yellow-carded and then sent off. The victory sees York move seven points clear at the top.

City of York II rode their luck as they snatched a 1-0 victory at Sheffield Bankers II.

York came under intense pressure from the start, with Sheffield going close on several occasions, but with the experience of Graham Cook and Dave Rowlands and the superb 'keeping of James Baughan, they were able to absorb the pressure.

York did begin to turn defence into attack and on one such trip into the Sheffield half, Luke Ramli managed to fire home a short corner. Sheffield stepped up the pace in the second period, but York held on for a superb victory.

In the Yorkshire Second XI Cup, City of York were knocked out 2-1 by Harrogate after taking the game to golden goal extra time. Adam Simpson scored City's goal.

City of York III toppled Yorkshire League division four leaders Lincoln II with a 3-1 victory.

James Flint gave York the lead, while James Bemrose doubled their advantage after the half-time interval. Flint slotted home his second and City's third to seal the match although Lincoln punished some careless play to gain a late consolation.

A striker with a 'goal-den' touch put paid to City of York IV's chances as they lost 6-3 in division four to Sheffield Hallam IV.

Denis Hootton and Mike Couttie gave City the early initiative, only for Sheffield to storm back with three goals. Hootton levelled the scores, but with Hallam's star-striker in unstoppable form, the Sheffield side netted three more times to seal the win.

A good all-round team display saw City of York V enjoy a 2-0 division six win over Bradford University II.

Mark Smith and James Still netted either side of the break to seal the win.

City of York VI let a 2-0 lead slip to lose 4-2 against Sheffield Bankers VIII in division seven. After a goalless first half, Richard Tanner-Smith and Doug Thompson fired City into a two-goal lead, only for Bankers to thump home four without reply.

A second half 'victory' was not enough to stop City of York VII from slumping to an 8-2 division eight defeat at Doncaster V. Doncaster were 7-0 up at the break, but York regrouped and scored through Neil Buckley and Graham McFaul to win the second period 2-1.

City of York VIII were on the wrong end of a 5-0 thumping against Bradford University III despite an excellent display from John Harrison.

Updated: 13:04 Tuesday, February 05, 2002