CITY of York Ladies hockey team warmed up for the re-start of the North League season with a friendly against Belper from the National League.

Despite losing 4-2 to their higher league opponents, York gave an encouraging display, pulling back a two goal half-time deficit to equalise with goals from Lucy Butcher and Kate Rorrison before Belper scored twice late on to defeat a tiring York side.

Meanwhile, in a re-arranged game in division four of the Yorkshire League, City of York Ladies IV lost 4-1 at Heckmondwike.

York took an early lead through Laura Horne but then failed to capitalise from a series of good chances while the home side made the most of their opportunities to take the points.

Acomb Ladies I secured a comfortable 3-1 Yorkshire League 2 victory over Colne Valley thanks to two goals from Annie Pye and one from forward partner Kerry Rafton.

Acomb, who entertain Bingley Bees in the League next week, took an early lead mid-way through the first half only to concede an equaliser soon after.

The Tangerines suffered a setback early in the second half when goalkeeper Gemma Hall was forced off through injury. However, this didn't stop Acomb outplaying their opponents with Pye and Rafton securing the win.

Stamford Bridge lost 4-2 at Whitby despite goals from Vicky Parvin, set up by Sarah Kocinski, who netted Bridge's second goal.

Kerry Megginson was Bridge's player of the match.

Nestl Rowntree beat Olympics 2-0 in the York and District Ladies Hockey League with goals from Margi Charlson and Julie Moore, the latter being a great solo effort.

Excellent defending by Paula Ridge and 'keeper Elaine Robinson kept Olympics at bay with Clare Souter named Nestl's player of the match.

Tom Whitfield grabbed the winner as Acomb Men II recorded a 1-0 Yorkshire League 2 victory at Rotherham.

After a scrappy first half, the Tangerines came to life, inspired by man-of-the-match Danny Brown. The visitors had an effort cleared off the line before Whitfield calmly deflected the ball home to claim the points.

City of York Under 12 girls' 'A' team ruled the roost in the latest batch of Yorkshire Youth League fixtures at Leeds.

They started with a 2-0 win over Wakefield 'A' with goals by Georgina Grant and Charlotte Worsman.

Grant, Ruth Tyrell and Hannah Garnett were then on target in a 3-0 win over Doncaster. Grant scored in her third successive game as Driffield were beaten 2-0 with Garnett also scoring.

The 'A' team earned a hard-fought 1-0 win over 'City of York 'B', Garnett netting the only goal and completed a clean sweep of victories with a couple of Garnett goals securting a 2-0 win over Hull.

York 'B' recovered from a 2-0 opening defeat against Driffield to defeat Kingston upon Hull with Sarah Clay scoring the only goal.

After losing to York 'A' and 4-0 to Wakefield 'A', the 'B' team held Doncaster to a goal-less draw in the last match which was enough to keep them in the division.

York 'C' played in the 'C' division and struggled against stronger opposition, losing to Wakefield 'B' (2-0), Kirklees (3-0), Ben Rhydding 'A' (5-0), Brigg (3-0) and Halifax 'A' (2-0) and will drop into League 'D'.

Updated: 09:26 Tuesday, January 10, 2006