FROZEN pitches led to the postponement of many fixtures this weekend in both the Northern Hockey and Yorkshire Men’s Hockey Leagues.

City of York’s first team returned to action after a five-week break, away at Wakefield I, but were beaten for the seventh time in eight games and remain rooted to the bottom of the Northern premier division.

COY had started lively with great movement and passing but their forwards failed to convert the goalscoring opportunities.

Wakefield took the lead shortly before half-time despite the best efforts of goalkeeper Luke Brownlee.

The second half followed a similar fashion, with both sides creating opportunities. However, the pressure began to show on COY, who struggled to control play when in possession. This led to Wakefield scoring a second goal after a mistake in midfield.

COY threw caution to the wind in search of the goal they needed to get back into the game. This left them vulnerable at the back and Wakefield completed a 4-0 victory with two goals in quick concession.

Now eight points adrift at the bottom of the table, COY will be looking to bounce back against Whitley Bay and Tynemouth next weekend.

In the Yorkshire Men’s Hockey League premier division, York II’s game against Sheffield Hallam III was postponed due to a frozen pitch at York University.

In division two, York V pulled off a shock result against York IV – winning 3-1 in the game at Huntington School. It was the second consecutive league win for York V, who are still next to bottom of the table but level on points with neighbours Acomb, who are just above the relegation zone.

York IV had applied the early pressure but it was York V who took the lead when a pass to the top of the D from Mark Richardson was deflected into the top corner by Flyn Mullins.

Despite intense pressure, York IV were unable to level and Dave Catterall doubled York V’s lead with a breakaway goal after the interval.

Although York IV pulled a goal back, Josh de Silva wrapped up victory for York V after breaking into the D on the right and scoring with a deflected shot.

York VIII maintained their challenge for the division five north title with a 3-2 home win over Boston Spa III.

The Huntington School pitch had thawed by the 3pm kick-off and COY were desperate to make amends for their defeat by Leodis Leeds seven days earlier. However, the average age of their side had gone down because only five senior players were available.

COY applied the early pressure and Chris Allerton scored from close range after a pass by Ali Birch.

Boston Spa’s attacking pace briefly caused problems but COY doubled the advantage when Zack Pierson fired into the top corner.

A break for Boston Spa and a good reverse-stick shot sneaked in at the near post, much to the annoyance of David Hyams.

The next goal was always going to be crucial and a superbly-timed tackle by veteran Graham Guffick put COY on the front foot. Birch showed vision beyond his years to put Pierson in with a superb pass and it was 3-1 to COY.

Boston Spa were not done, however, and put pressure on City’s defence. Pete Perryman mopped up a number of attacks but could do little to prevent the second goal.

It was ‘backs to the wall’ stuff at times but COY hung on for a 3-2 win, earning plaudits for the youngsters.