CITY of York enjoyed a dream start to their Northern Hockey League division one campaign with a 4-0 victory over arch-rivals Rotherham.

City took the initiative early on and were rewarded after just five minutes, Nick Carter firing home from a short corner.

York continued to dominate with Chris Wilson tormenting the defence but Rotherham held firm.

After the break, York continued to press the hosts but it took a superb save from James Riley to stop Rotherham levelling matters.

Against the run of play, James Gilbert weaved his way into the circle and saw his shot-cum-cross kicked into the net by the Rotherham keeper.

From here on in, it was all York with Wilson and then Matthew Couttie scoring to put the game beyond the hosts.

City of York II crashed to a 3-2 defeat against Sheffield University Bankers II in division two east.

York made a lively start with Colin Moore netting a rebound after the ball had bounced back off the keeper's legs from a short corner.

David Rowlands also went close but Sheffield equalised soon after.

Worse was to come for York as Sheffield struck twice more to build up a 3-1 lead.

York hit back well and pulled a goal back through a Graham Cook penalty stroke, but despite continual pressure Sheffield held out.

City of York III had a frustrating afternoon as they lost 1-0 to Lincoln II.

Lincoln took the lead in the tenth minute and although York pushed for an equaliser they could find no way through.

Honours were shared as City of York IV drew 3-3 with Sheffield Hallam IV in a thrilling encounter.

Ed Shouksmith (2) and Mark Dransfield scored the goals for York after an end-to-end encounter.

A goal in the dying minutes from Alan Crompton gave City of York VI a 2-1 win over Sheffield Bankers VIII.

Bankers took the lead against the run of play, but York, who had missed a number of clear-cut chances, pulled level through Richard Tammer-Smith.

With time running out, Crompton picked up the ball, nipped past the keeper and touched the ball home.

City of York VII made an instant impact to division eight, beating Doncaster V 4-1.

Ben Foster (2), Clive Appleyard and David da Silva all netted to give newly-promoted York a 4-0 lead before Doncaster scored a late consolation.

City of York VIII overcame a difficult opening to beat Bradford University 4-2.

Doug Thompson opened the scoring only for Bradford to strike twice before the break to lead 2-1.

After half-time, Sean Welsh, Thomas Sorby and Thompson all scored as York put in an excellent team display.

Meanwhile, City of York V did not play after a mix-up over their game with Bradford University II.

Updated: 11:36 Tuesday, October 02, 2001