A DEFLECTED goal seven minutes from time consigned City of York Hockey Club's men's first team to a gut-ripping defeat against Bowden II.

Earlier in the Northern Counties Men's League premier division season, York had been crushed 7-1 by Bowden, but there was never any question of a repeat at Huntington School.

York had warmed up for the game with a friendly against National League outfit Harrogate the previous week and despite losing 4-3 were delighted with their performance.

They went into the Bowden game full of confidence, matching their opponents stride for stride until a defensive error put the visitors ahead.

York levelled after a 20-minute spell of domination with a ferocious drag-flick by Lee Cuffe from a short corner.

Both teams hunted for the winner and it went to Bowden when a short corner strike was deflected under the body of 'keeper Ashley Watson, who, along with Alejandro Lozano, had starred for York.

Nick Carter hammered home the only goal as City of York II won at Durham in NHL division two east.

It took York some time to adjust to the water-based pitch but they earned maximum points when Chris Dutton was fouled and Carter smacked home the short corner.

York went close several times but missed a penalty stroke and then saw a Dutton effort blocked on the line.

Jeremy Pilch scored a hat-trick as City of York III powered to a 6-2 victory over Ramgarhia I in Yorkshire League division one.

They trailed 2-1 at one stage but proved too strong for the visitors with skipper John Peart (2 - one a penalty stroke) and Geoff Gill on target. Matthew Cattle had a fine game and had a hand in all York's goals.

Ten-man City of York IV lost 5-2 at Airedale in division three, Richard Tanner-Smith and Malcolm Cossey scoring the York goals.

City of York V also conceded heavily as they went down 5-1 at home to Rose II in division five after taking the lead with a Sam Lynn tap-in.

Lynn scored a hat-trick the following day as York's Mixed XI won 6-0 at Acomb.

Skipper Tim Jolley (2) and Pat Birch were on target as City of York VI won 3-1 at Boston Spa in division six.

In division eight, Nick Kay (2), Tim Downie, James Woodhall and Rob Wise fired City of York VII to a 5-0 thumping of Chapeltown III, whose 'keeper prevented a heavier defeat.

The roles were reversed when York VIII lost 5-2 at Chapeltown IV in division ten east, Steve Forde scoring both York goals.

An experienced City of York IX demolished Wakefield VI 8-0 with goals from Will Ellis (3), Tom Feasby (2), Denis Hootton, Ian Wiggins and Nigel Herd.

Updated: 10:26 Tuesday, January 17, 2006