York on the up to write new chapter

Their 3-2 victory, coming on the back of last week's victory over Alderley Edge, means York are on the rise from their bad start to the season.

After goalkeeper Ashley Watson made some fine saves, York produced some great hockey, full of invention and enterprise.

Christian Gregg put City ahead and then Ben Foster scored a superb solo goal to make it 2-0.

There was time before the interval for Rodney Grey to slap-hit the ball home to make it 3-0.

With 15 minutes to go, York lost their composure and discipline and two yellow cards reduced them to nine men, and during their time off the pitch Preston pulled a couple of goals back.

When York were back to full strength, they regained their form and Lee Cuffe came close to adding a fourth goal.

City of York II also scored three times but went down to Harrogate II in NHL Division Two East.

Two goals in five minutes put Harrogate in control and a deflected shot made it 3-0.

York hit back with some fine play and were rewarded when an aerial ball from Chris Dutton was picked up by Danny Turton, who finished in style.

Harrogate netted their fourth goal right on half-time from another short corner, but battling York hit back through Nick Carter and Alex Cockram and were in the hunt for an equaliser before Harrogate managed to break up York's progress.

City of York III came from behind to win 2-1 at Rotherham II in Yorkshire League division one.

They drew level through Matt Todd just before half-time and, with Geoff Gill having one of his best games in centre midfield and Richard Cockram dictating affairs, a short corner strike by Adrian Nye gave York maximum points.

Goals by Mark Dransfield, Andy Wilson and Laurence Thornton (2) earned City of York IV a 4-3 home win against Scarborough I.

City of York V found their cutting edge against Hull University II in division five with an 8-0 romp.

Just about every City shot went in as Greg Sykes opened the floodgates after just 20 seconds. Stuart Burke added two more before the interval and further goals flowed from Sam Lynn (2), Ben Foster and Burke.

Former York player Damien Greig netted a late equaliser as Wakefield IV drew 1-1 at City of York VI.

Ed Mackenzie and Ben Hildreth combined for Richard Tanner-Smith to put York ahead nine minutes from the end but they could not hold on to victory.

Midfielder Nick Kay was the pick of the crop as City of York VII lost 2-0 at Syngenta in division eight.

Goals by Will Ellis, Neil Hollier, Bernard Chase, Ian Lynn and Michael Sansomi gave City of York IX a 5-0 win against their own VIII team in division ten east.

Five-goal sizzler proves too Ot for comfort

Acomb Ladies I never fully recovered from a bad start at Otliensians in their Yorkshire League division one clash.

They were a goal down inside two minutes and, although a fine Kerry Woods penalty corner strike was netted by Rachel Linfoot, Acomb were caught on the hop again and trailed 3-1 at the break.

Captain Kerry Rafton forced a brilliant save by the Otliensians goalkeeper and after a spell of concerted pressure, Acomb were rewarded with a great strike by Woods from a penalty corner.

Driven on by midfielder Jo Brooke, Acomb came close to an equaliser but were thwarted by fine saves.

Acomb now need to step up the pressure next week when they travel to Tadcaster, who are on level points with them.

Acomb Ladies II caught Wakefield V on the back foot when Jenna Allinson calmly converted a penalty stroke.

Wakefield responded with some good pressure and levelled just before half-time and with ten minutes remaining, scored a second goal to leave the Tangerines near the foot of division six.

A Sally Sleightholme hat-trick helped City of York Ladies to a 5-2 North League win at home to Wigan.

Early York pressure brought Sleightholme's first goal on ten minutes when she touched in Mandy Nesbit's cross.

Wigan equalised from a well taken penalty corner but Sleightholme immediately regained the lead for York before Wigan again levelled from their second penalty corner before half-time.

After the break, Sam Binns and 'keeper Dawn Hopkins prevented further goals from Wigan's ever-dangerous corners, while York made the most of their chances at the other end.

Sleightholme completed her treble and put York in front when she scored easily from Becky Raper's unselfish pass.

Pam Rowbottom soon made the game almost safe, adding the fourth goal with a shot deflected in by the visitors' 'keeper.

Then, to round off a deserved win, Ruth Graham scored her first goal of the season with a clever lob into the net in the last minute.

In division one of the Yorkshire League, a second-half floodlight failure curtailed the game between Tadcaster and City of York Ladies II but the 2-2 scoreline will stand as the result. Julie Routledge and Anna Ramli scored York's goals.

In a closely fought game in division four, City of York Ladies III just had the edge to win 1-0 at home to Leeds IV.

After a goalless first-half, Lucy Stubley scored the decisive goal with a well-hit shot and, with Anwen Hughes playing solidly in midfield, York held on for the points.

City of York Ladies IV were also successful, recording a 3-1 win at Hudderfield with goals from Alison Stafford, Karen Llewellyn and Jo Llewellyn's first for the club.

Nestl Rowntree turned on the style to beat Stillington 7-1 in the York and District Ladies League.

The plunder was shared between Margi Charlson (2), Vanessa Walker (2), Julie Moore, Geraldine Fogg and Kate Kelly.

Acomb just Lovett

Acomb Men's II thrashed Hull V 7-1 at Oaklands with Andy Lovett leading the rout with a hat-trick.

Other goals came from youngsters Craig Brown and Jack Ellis (2) with Paul Kellet securing the seventh. Ben Pottinger and John Bellamy had good games with Dave Timmins being a controlling force for the home side.

Acomb Men's I experienced car problems which resulted in them arriving 45 minutes late for their fixture at Bradford I - too late for the match to be played.

Updated: 10:27 Tuesday, November 29, 2005