Edge of despair

City had to win to pull clear of Edge and consign the Cheshire team to Northern Hockey League premier division relegation, while Edge had to win to leapfrog York.

Within minutes Edge, forced a short corner and when the shot hit a defender's stick and was deflected in past Ashley Watson, City were up against it. Within 14 minutes the home team went further ahead.

From then it was an even game with York having most of the possession, but neither side creating chances.

York could yet survive if Alderley Edge lose to Hull next week and City beat Timperley in their last game.

City of York II lost 5-2 at home to Stockton I despite an explosive start of Chris Dutton scoring in the first three minutes.

But in trying to put the score beyond Stockton, they over-committed and the visitors struck three times in a ten-minute period before bagging a breakaway fourth just before half-time.

After the interval City's lot got worse when a quickly-taken free hit from just outside the top of the 'D' was converted for the fifth goal.

City of York III crashed 4-2 at Huddersfield I, the home team taking the lead after ten minutes.

John Pierce equalised from a Richard Cockram cross, but just as they were excelling thanks to man-of-the-match Tom Sorby, Huddersfield regained the lead. Another goal by Pierce was followed by a speedy home brace to seal the points.

City of York IV drew 2-2 with visiting Huddersfield II. Skipper Mark Smith scored from a short corner, only for Huddersfield to level.

After the break the visitors went ahead, but City's Ed Shouksmith finished off a speedy raid to level.

Already promoted to division four, City of York V crashed 7-4 at Harrogate IV. Skipper Greg Sykes hit a hat-trick and Stuart Burke also scored, but City were always behind.

City of York VI signed off their season with a 3-0 win over Sheffield University Bankers VIII. Ben Foster, who later missed a penalty, bagged two goals with Pat Birch also on target.

City of York VII's bid to keep out of the YHL division eight relegation zone foundered in a 3-0 loss at Scarborough II, while the end of a dismal season saw City of York VIII crash 8-1 to leaders Wakefield VII.

Despite sterling efforts from defenders Ed Penfold and Sam Whiting, City had no answer to Wakefield's slick passing. Sam Ellis poached the consolation.

City of York IX secured promotion with a 2-1 win at Brigg IV secured by a brace of goals from new striker Neil Hollier.

Fourmidable

CITY of York HC teenager Stuart Burke excelled for North Yorkshire in the Under-16 boys Yorkshire selection tournament. Burke bagged four of North Yorkshire's seven-goal total as he and club-mates Ben Milson, Danny Turton, Neil Hollier and Paul Snape helped register victories over West Yorkshire (1-0), East Yorkshire (5-1) and South Yorkshire (1-0).

Know-how smothers Acomb

ACOMB men IIs lost 3-0 to an experienced Rotherham VI in Yorkshire League division nine.

The Tangerines went 1-0 down to a disputed goal, though later on goalkeeper Mick Brown kept Rotherham at bay.

Acomb went close to an equaliser through young forwards Craig Brown, Matt Wilkes and Shaun Munning before being hit by two strikes.

Rambling amble turns to reverse

AFTER two defeats, City of York Ladies returned to winning form with a 3-1 North League success at home to Deeside Ramblers.

When the Cheshire side gave York 'keeper Dawn Hopkins no chance in the third minute, York were shocked into action, equalising instantly with a reverse stick shot from Jess Barnes.

York took the lead when Pam Rowbottom slipped the ball in from a penalty corner.

Mandy Nesbit added the third with a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty circle and although York failed to add to their tally, they eased to a deserved three points.

But in their re-arranged game on Sunday, York came down to earth in a 3-1 home defeat by Sheffield who scored before a Becky Raper equaliser.

Sheffield then took the initiative with a second goal before half-time and, although Sam Binns and Hopkins helped York to improve, Sheffield scored again almost on full time.

In division one of the Yorkshire League, relegation-threatened City of York Ladies II shipped five first half goals at Otliensians before pulling the score back to a more respectable 5-3 through Julie Routledge (2) and Lucy Carlisle.

City of York Ladies III drew 2-2 in division four with Harrogate IV, who took the lead before Becky Copperthwaite levelled.

Harrogate then scored from a penalty stroke but Lucy Stubley's goal ensured a share of the points.

The game between Wakefield IV and City of York Ladies IV was postponed.

Updated: 10:13 Tuesday, March 28, 2006