THE gloom continues for City of York Hockey Club's men's first team who once again tasted defeat despite another battling performance away at Southport.

For the second week in succession they went down 3-2, leaving them still without a win in the Northern Hockey League division one.

City took the game to Southport in the opening quarter - creating a number of scoring chances. Southport began to dictate matters more in the second but neither side looked like scoring until the home side netted a breakaway goal a few minutes before half-time.

Southport got a second shortly after the break but, within the space of five minutes, City were level after Alex Fletcher netted twice. Another aerial ball presented Southport with the winning strike.

Pouring rain dominated CITY OF YORK II's game at home to Richmond and they went behind within 30 seconds.

A somewhat questionable penalty flick gave Richmond a two-goal advantage, but a strike on the rebound by Chris Dutton reduced the arrears. In the minutes before the break Richmond went 3-1 up after putting away a short corner breakdown.

A sterling second-half recovery and goals from Tom Rowlands, Mark Moiseley and Glyn Humphrey helped York to a 5-4 win.

CITY OF YORK III had a chastening experience away at Dinnington I in Yorkshire League division one. After gaining the lead and being in a commanding position, the points were taken away in a fractious contest which ended 4-3.

Two Dave Rodgers goals put CITY OF YORK IV in a strong position at home to Sheffield Hallam V in division three, but they lost the game through three short corner goals.

CITY OF YORK V travelled to Bradford II in division four and an entertaining game ended 3-3 with Richard Tanner-Smith, Rob Wise and Ben Foster netting for York. CITY OF YORK VI had a robust encounter at home to West Yorkshire Police but strong defence saw the match end goalless.

CITY OF YORK VIII, with several seniors missing and Bernard Chase injured in the opening exchanges, went down 5-0 to Syngenta I, all the goals coming in the first half, while CITY OF YORK IX got back to winning ways with a 4-2 victory at home to Airedale II thanks to a hat-trick from newcomer Jordan Nadian.