CITY of York are rooted firmly to the bottom of the Northern Counties Hockey League premiership division after losing 1-0 to Timperley.

After several below-par games, York fielded a much-changed team which saw them without regulars Mark Little, Glyn Humphrey, Phil Clarke and Chris Dutton and brought John McRory into the squad, but York were unable to turn their possession into goals.

Kyle Hogg saw a fifth minute shot saved by the Timperley goalkeeper, who then saved again as Chris Wilson collected the rebound.

York's frustration increased when Craig Togher missed a chance set up by Hogg, and towards the end of the first half Timperley began to mount some attacks of their own, forcing James Riley into a couple of good saves.

The Cheshire side's defence continued to frustrate York and five minutes from the end Timperley's winger cut in from the right and his weak shot across goal wrong-footed Riley and sneaked in at the far post.

City of York II had several first-teamers in their squad and were confident of beating Halifax I in NCHL division two, but had to fight hard for their 2-1 win.

Graham Cook put York ahead at the end of the first quarter, but they lost all cohesion for a spell after that and Halifax equalised ten minutes into the second half when Simon Barnett partially saved a Halifax shot which deflected into the path of an oncoming attacker who equalised.

York then took a grip and Nick Carter thundered in what proved to be the winner from a short corner.

City of York III continued their good form in Yorkshire League division four by winning 3-1 at Halifax II.

The home side were reduced to ten men when one of their players received a yellow card after just ten minutes and York soon cashed in as Simon Williams netted from a short corner.

Halifax equalised just before half-time, but were denied the lead when goalkeeper Martin Parrott saved a penalty stroke.

That proved to be the turning point in the match as York sewed up victory with two excellent solo goals by Chris Allerton.

Despite trailing to an early goal against Normanby Park II, City of York IV roared back to win 6-1 in division five.

They only equalised through Mark Dransfield just before half-time and considered themselves lucky to be level at the interval.

But it was a different story in the second half as York exploited Normanby's poor marking to rattle up further goals by Dransfield, Oliver Couttie (2), Mike Couttie and David Lancaster.

Ashley Watson, the regular City of York VI goalkeeper, impressed in his second game of the day.

York V, the club's junior development side, drew 1-1 in a physical encounter with West Yorkshire Police I in division seven.

Ashley Watson was outstanding in goal for York, who were denied a 20th minute goal when John Raper hammered home a shot which struck a defender's foot before going into the net. No advantage was given and the goal was disallowed because of the infringement.

Police took the lead, but Raper got his revenge by grabbing the equaliser.

City of York VI's original game with Hallam University was postponed because many of the students had been laid low by a bug.

Instead York travelled to Ben Rhydding VI and fell behind to an early goal. But once they settled to the unfamiliar grass surface they romped home 7-1 with goals by James Still (2), Clive Appleyard (2), Duncan and Tim Jolly (2), who also had a penalty stroke saved.

Goals by Chris Steel, Ed Goodhall and Andy Wilson gave City of York VIII a 3-0 away win at Sheffield University Bankers.

City of York under-14s had a successful day in the Yorkshire Youth League, beating Doncaster 2-1, Boston Spa 2-1 and Hull YPI 8-0 with the goals coming from Alex Cockram (7), Josh Bolton (3), Fynn Vergos and Steven Patterson.

Jon Jenkins crowned a great day with a fine save on the line to deny Doncaster.

City of York under-10s had mixed fortunes, losing 2-0 to Doncaster, drawing 2-2 with Ben Rhydding, Sam Arksey and James Shearston netting, and then beating Driffield 2-0 with goals by Arksey and Ross Stevenson.