CITY of York continued their fine run in the Northern Hockey League with a 3-1 home win against fourth-placed Deeside Ramblers.

Rob Blackburn had been

drafted into the York squad as cover for some injury concerns and this proved to be a wise decision when Jimmy Gilbert pulled up after only ten minutes into the game.

With York down to ten men early on because of a sin-bin offence by Paul Sangwin, Deeside had the better of the opening exchanges.

Despite the ragged start, City's in-form striker, Glyn Humphrey, gave his side the lead when he received a clever first-time pass from Volker Biederich and rounded the 'keeper.

City's poor discipline cost them soon after however when a free-hit to Deeside outside the 'D' was upgraded to a penalty corner due to backchat about the original decision. From here, City conceded a penalty stroke, which was well converted by Deeside.

City regained the lead with Nick Carter's strike at a short corner before half-time.

After the interval Carter squandered a good opportunity, firing just wide with an open goal at his mercy though the game was effectively finished off when Humphrey scored his second and City's third when he fired home first time from a pass by Chris Dutton.

York have extended their lead at the top of the table to 11 points as second-placed Oxton drew 2-2 with Alderley Edge.

City of York II lost 2-1 to fit Slazengers I in NHL.

Slightly against the run of play York had their first chance when an exquisite flick from the top of the 'D' by Mark Little beat the stranded Slazengers 'keeper but landed on top of the net.

Little, the best player on the park, received a ball just inside the 25-yard line and took it into the 'D' where his powerful shot hit the 'keeper on the helmet and the rebound fell to the feet of Roz Ramli who calmly slotted home.

After the break City forced more excellent chances but were unable to convert.

Slazengers started to re-organise themselves and eventually equalised.

Slazenger's extra fitness took its toll and grabbed a late winner. If it wasn't for the heroics of Jimmy Baughan in City's goal the scoreline could have been a lot worse for the visiting side.

City of York III mauled Slazengers 8-1 in Yorkshire League division four - after going a goal behind.

James Flint soon equalised and Colin Moore put York ahead.

City were playing fine hockey and it was no surprise when Flint made it 3-1 before half-time.

Adam Jackson, playing in the centre, caused all sorts of problems for the visitors and along with City's solid back line, especially Gavin Ward, provided the platform for the rout that ensued.

Second-half goals from Jason Bemrose, Ian Wiggins and a further two from Flint, to take his tally to four, finished off disheartened Slazengers.

City of York IV chalked up their first win in division four by beating Bradford II 3-1

Ashley Watson, in York's goal, had to make a fine save early on before Mark Dransfield hit a post from a reverse stick shot.

After another fine save from Watson York made the breakthrough when Dransfield played the ball to Richard Wilson who crossed to Mike Couttie to fire home.

Bradford levelled immediately but only after Watson made two more fine saves.

York started the second half in impressive style and a swift counter attack from Dransfield who crossed the ball to Andy Wilson to score.

Man-of-the-match Watson made some more good saves before another Andy Wilson goal secured York's victory.

City of York VI travelled to Humberside and they stumbled to a second successive defeat, against division seven bottom club Hull University II.

The students went ahead midway through the half from a completely mis-hit shot, which bobbled around York's stranded 'keeper Mark Burn.

Clive Mills-Hicks missed York's best chance, sweeping just wide after a quick break.

York were stronger in the second half, with Chris Ince having a good game, but lacked composure in front of goal, and failed to make anything from the many short-corners that they were awarded.

City of York VII match against Lincoln Imps was cancelled.

City of York VIII's lost 3-2 to Sheffield University Bankers IX in division eight but were unlucky not to come away with a deserved point.

York found themselves under pressure for the first 20 minutes from a well-organised Sheffield side, but stout defending stopped the home side from taking the lead with goalkeeper Matthew Merrick making some fine saves.

Malcolm Dutton put York ahead with a slick short corner routine.

Sheffield equalised after half-time but York soon restored their lead when Phil Jackson received the ball from Andy Dent on the Sheffield 25 yard line and dribbled past three defenders before calmly slotting the ball home.

But the South Yorkshire side were soon back on level terms and snatched the winner in the dying minutes.

Updated: 11:53 Tuesday, November 27, 2001