League leaders City of York earned a 3-3 draw at second placed Timperley in their crucial Northern Premier League clash.

Stick or twist: Chris Allerton, of City of York II, swoops in during a goalmouth scramble to beat the the Bradford 'keeper and net the first of his two goals during York's 5-0 victory.

Flying Fletcher: York's Alex Fletcher, above, makes a spectacular effort to get in a shot at goal in the second team's win over Bradford.

Carter cracker: York's Nick Carter thumps in a shot at the Bradford goal

York went ahead with a goal from Mark Thirlway who flicked the ball into the roof of the net following a well-worked short corner.

The game was end to end, but York held on to their lead through to half-time.

York extended their lead 10 minutes after the interval when Mike Thornicroft broke down the right wing and crossed for Ian Butler to score.

Timperley came straight back to score from a short corner routine, but Thirlway restored the two-goal cushion with his second strike.

Timperley soon reduced the arrears again, and as the game became heated, with York temporarily down to nine men and the hosts to 10, the equaliser arrived.

When both teams were restored to full strength, York dominated and were unlucky not to grab a winner from two late short corners.

On Sunday City of York eased past Cambridgeshire side Wisbech in the 4th round of the National Hockey Association Trophy.

York displayed some quick and tricky link play, and took an early lead through Mark Thirlway from a short corner.

Ian Butler made it 2-0 before half-time following a quick break from midfield.

Another quick break resulted in Thirlway netting a long shot from the crown of the circle.

Wisbech managed a consolation goal from a short corner, but Chris Dutton put the result beyond doubt five minutes from the end following a weaving run to put York in the last 16.

City of York II amply avenged their 2-0 defeat at Bradford I in their previous encounter with a 5-0 home victory.

Bradford started strongley and could have been two goals up before York got into their stride and Nick Carter scored following a short corner. York took control as the game went on and Chris Allerton stretched the lead with two goals; the first after a goalmouth scramble and the second being a fine individual effort running with the ball from inside his own half.

Matthew Todd added a fourth before half-time, and in the second period Jason Bemrose rounded off the scoring with a penalty corner strike.

Below-strength City of York III went down 3-1 at Bradford II. York started well and took the lead when Chris Wilson set up Geoff Pritchard.

York stayed in control during the first half with Graham Guffick and Tim Moon to the fore, and the pattern was repeated in the second half until Bradford levelled with a penalty stroke. York lost their discipline and Bradford won the game with two goals in the last 10 minutes.

City of York IV enjoyed a comprehensive 4-0 win over West Yorkshire Police. York played some of their best hockey of the season in the first half. David Lancaster opened York's account, Neil Reader netted the second, and Lancaster struck again before half-time.

York eased up in the second period, but Lancaster completed his hat-trick following a short corner.

City of York VA were no match for Sheffield IV, losing out 11-1. Andy Deady scored York's consolation, while goalkeeper Trevor Pawson was voted man-of-the-match.

City of York VB had most of the possession against Halifax III but went down 2-1. York took the lead through Oliver Scully, but a defensive error allowed Halifax to level before half-time. The winning goal came midway through the second half.

City of York VIA dominated the early stage s of their game against Grimsby II, but had to wait until the 20th minute for Andy Dent to sweep them ahead from a right wing cross.

Grimsby equalised befoe half-time, but Oliver Couttie restored York's lead with a low shotm from a short corner.

From then on York stayed in control with Dick Cambridge commanding midfield. Dent sealed the win with a deflected shot in the last quarter.

City of York VIB lost 6-1 to Rotherham V despite putting in a lot of good approach play with Edward Shouksmith, John Roberts, and Matthew Couttie working well together.

Rotherham put on a demonstration of lethal finishing to go 5-0 ahead, but York showed determination as Marco Dukic pulled one back before half-time, with Rotherham unable to add to their score in the second period until the final minutes.

City of York Under-14A are on course for a place in the top eight and the final pl;ay-offs after their latest series of results in the Yorkshire Under-14 League. York had 0-0 draws against Swalwell and Richmond, and a 2-0 win over Bradford with John Raper and Richard Jenkin on the mark.

City of York U14B drew 0-0 with Almondbury, but lost to Driffield 3-0 and Slazengers 2-0. Richard and Angus Merriman played well throughout.

The weather spoiled the visit of Camberwell Grammar School, from Victoria, Australia, with the under-18 match at Oaklands having to be cancelled due to snow. The pitch at York University for the U14 game was just playable and Camberwell beat York 4-0.

Dave breaks deadlock

Acomb Men I took their time to settle as they tried to play the ball around quickly against Wakefield.

Defender Dave Richards unlocked the Wakefield defence when he slotted home on 15 minutes, but a combination of poor finishing and good saves from the Wakefield goalkeeper kept the score to 1-0 at half-time.

Strong defending from Dave Bell kept Wakefield at bay, and then midfielder Sam Gould doubled Acomb's lead with an accurate shot.

Wakefield were reduced to 10 men after a series of fouls, and Acomb were able to keep possession. A break from the back resulted in a length-of-the-pitch move which ended with captain Paul Wright netting a first time shot to make the final score 3-0.

Acomb 2nds beat Ben Rhydding 1-0 in a scrappy match. The only goal came after good pressure by Acomb from short corners. From one of these the ball deflected to Barry Whitfield who netted from a tight angle just before half-time.

Acomb 3rds edged out York University 1-0 with youngster Damien Doherty having a good game.

Acomb 4ths had a scrappy start against Normanby Park, but then began to dominate the game. Halfway through the fist half Acomb took the lead when Brian Roberton chipped the advancing goalkeeper.

Acomb's second goal came from a short sorner in the second half when David Roberts diverted the ball in from Bob Dickenson's powerful strike from a short corner.

Acomb Mixed went down 6-1 at Ben Rhydding in cold and blustery conditions.

Rhydding took the lead, but Bernie Hilton quickly pulled Acomb level. Soon after Hilton was forced to go off through injury, leaving Acomb a player short. The advantage told as Ben Rhydding were able to build up a lead despite the efforts of Acomb 'keeper Steve Church.

Sharp Sam's six-pack

A double hat-trick by captain Sam Chambers helped CGU to an 8-1 victory over Dunnington in the Costcutter York and District League.

Chambers netted a hat-trick in each half as CGU dominated with great teamwork. The other two goals came from Julie Routledge and Jayne Leckenby.

Nestle Rowntree drew 0-0 at home to Danby - a repeat of their clash earlier in the season. Boggy conditions hampered the teams with most of the action being restricted to midfield.

Sue Yoward and Sue Blackburn both went close for Rowntree, while Kate Kelly was player-of-the-match.

In division six of the Yorkshire League, York Women III had a comprehensive 5-1 win at Richmond. Sue Draper and Chris Dear both scored twice, with Becky Copperthwaite getting the other.

Erica Papaglimis netted a hat-trick, but an understrength York side lost 13-3 to Malton in the Costcutter League.

York's Sunday side won 4-3 at Pocklington with three goals from Nicky Perkins and one from Jane MacCallaugh.

Acomb Ladies I beat Harrogate II 3-1. Having not played for five weeks over the Christmas break, Acomb started slowly and Harrogate put them under pressure. But midway through the first half Liz Wilson found the net from a right wing cross to put Acomb ahead.

Harrogate soon levelled with a penalty stroke, but Acomb hit back to go ahead again before half-time when Kerry Rafton converted a penalty after wilson had been fouled by Horrogate's goalkeeper.

Acomb controlled the second half and Wilson notched her second to complete the scoring.

Acomb Ladies II created plenty of chances against Halifax and Calder as they ran out 5-0 winners. On target were Sarah Butterworth, Fiona Quarry, Laura Ward, Debbie Parker, and Ann Hagyard.

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