A NAP hand of goals confirmed City of York Hockey Club men’s first team’s place at the top of the North League first division.

After an opening strike from Alex Cockram, York were never in any danger from visitors Chester, who were beaten 5-2.

Richie Jenkin swiftly made it 2-0 from a targeted drag-flick that fizzed into the goal before the keeper could react.

Debutant Anthony Bull made it 3-0 after a clinical period of possession culminated in a crisp finish.

The second half brought a reply from Chester from a short corner, but York made it 4-1 after a scramble in the D allowed Jenkin to step up and slot home his second goal.

The Chester attack was persistent, but one of their defenders was caught in possession near the halfway line and a trio of Ben Bull, Dan Ellwood and Tom Feasby attacked menacingly.

Ellwood made a superb run off the ball to deflect home from a Ben Bull pass.

In the last few minutes, Chester bagged a second goal, but the home display will provide much comfort for next week’s long haul to Neston on the Wirral.

City of York II opened their Yorkshire League premier division campaign with a 4-1 defeat at Ben Rhydding IV.

The York ranks, fielding several new faces, conceded twice in the opening ten minutes.

Signs of a revival were nipped in the bud when the hosts repeated the one-two feat soon after half-time.

Finally, stern pressing by Chris Dutton and Patrick Herriot allowed York to turn over the ball on the edge of the Rhydding D for Herriot to ram in a lone reply.

City of York III did not have a game.

City of York IV continued their strong start to Yorkshire division three with a 5-2 win at Halifax II.

There were goals for debutants Henry Wilson, James Walker and Richard Unsworth, plus strikes by Greg Sykes and Russell Bowry.

Keeper Tom Starbuck was impressive, while Henry Wilson was voted man of the match.

City of York V crashed to a 5-0 defeat by Tadcaster in division four north.

And there was woe too for City of York VI. Expecting to confirm a division five north triumph at Airedale II, the York ranks were beaten 2-0 in Keighley.

York dominated the opening 20 minutes, with a spectacular shot from James Gibbon hitting the crossbar and a reverse stick effort by Andy Potts being tipped over the bar by the Airedale keeper.

The second half was more evenly contested, with both sides creating opportunities.

Paul Rowntree had an effort from a penalty corner disallowed for an infringement and soon after, Airedale broke the deadlock from a similar move.

York’s push for a leveller allowed the hosts to break and notch a second goal.

Also in division five north, City of York VII were thumped 7-0 by a well organised Driffield II team.

The division six north game between City of York VIII and Leeds Adel VI was postponed because Leeds did not have enough players.