CITY of York Hockey Club's men's first team suffered at the hands of some contentious refereeing decisions as they crashed 9-0 to promotion chasing Sheffield Hallam on Sunday.

All the goals were scored in an amazing 20-minute period in the second half in which three York players received yellow cards and for a 15-minute spell they played with only nine men.

The victory sealed promotion from the Northern Premier League for Sheffield, who had missed out the previous day when they lost to Oxton.

The South Yorkshire side were clearly rattled by a young makeshift York team but it all changed dramatically in the second period.

The previous day York were involved in a much calmer tussle against Ben Rhydding.

The Ilkley-based side's pace up front did stretch the York defence at times but, despite good work by Jon Jenkins and 'keeper Ashley Watson, York found themseleves 2-0 down at the interval.

Good runs from James Gilbert, Ben Foster, Alex Cockerham and Simon Grey put Rhydding under pressure but York could not find the net until the midfield trio of Peter Evans, Oliver Couttie and Clyde Connellan created the chance for Foster to pull one back.

Having worked hard to get themselves back in the game, York found themselves down to ten men 15 minutes after half-time and were soon 3-1 down. Battling York hit back but only found the net once more after some good approach place from James Gilbert saw Peter Evans slotted York's second.

Despite a frantic last ten minutes and a couple of good saves from the Rhydding 'keeper, York could not find the equaliser.

Depleted City of York II came from behind four times at Newcastle side Northumbria St Georges to win 5-4. The home side took the lead midway through the first half, but City levelled through a Chris Dutton penalty flick.

St Georges got their noses in front three more times only for York to peg the scoreline back through Matt Fletcher, Dave Brooks and Nick Carter before Carter cracked in his second short corner strike.

City of York III enjoyed a return to form in an encouraging display

against Bradford I, drawing 3-3.

City started brightly, playing inventive and controlled hockey, but conceded a goal against the run of play. They levelled late in the first half when Graham Cook, returning after a long injury lay off, fired home.

York pressed forward and were rewarded with strikes from Pete Perryman, and an excellent goal from debutant Ben Foster.

Although Bradford pulled a goal back, York appeared to be heading towards victory before one of their defenders deflected a late cross into his own net for an equaliser.

City of York IV gave a nervy display in overcoming Leeds side LA

Metros 4-3 to maintain their division four promotion push.

City came from a goal down to race

into a 3-1 half-time lead through Wilson, Cossey and Allerton.

Wilson's second gave City extra comfort but two second half goals from Metros made it a tight finish.

York V continued their bounce back with a convincing 3-1 home win over Huddersfield in division five.

Good combining down the right from Andy Potts and Dennis Hooten created both opening goals while Pat Birch hit the bar.

Hooten bagged the third after initial efforts were blocked. Huddersfield grabbed a consolation at the end.

City of York VI stretched their unbeaten run to nine games by walloping Sheffield 6-0 in division seven.

Scorers included skipper Greg Sykes (2), Nick Downes and Stuart Burke.

York are in a good position for promotion with three games to go.

City of York VII also kept their division eight promotion hopes alive with a 3-1 win at Acomb II, the prolific Richard Tanner-Smith scoring a hat-trick.

Good approach play from Tim Jolly and Patrick Herriott paved the way for Tanner-Smith's opener.

Graham Todd then put a scorcher of a free hit into the circle, which was turned in by Tanner-Smith. The game was made safe when Tanner-Smith scored from a penalty corner.

Acomb included three youngsters in their team - Ben Pottinger, John Bellamy and Jason Manaly, -who all played well. The Tangerines lacked fire power but netted a consolation goal from Grainge near the end.

Tom Feasby scored both goals as City of York VIII drew 2-2 at Slazengers V.

Ladies finally end their barren run

CITY of York Ladies recorded a first North League success in six games with a 2-0 win at Deeside Ramblers.

After a goalless first-half, strikes early in the second period from Sally Sleightholme and Pam Rowbottom gave York a deserved win.

With three games to go York seem assured of a mid-table finish.

City of York Ladies II fell further into the relegation mire in division one of the Yorkshire League after a 3-0 defeat at home to Leeds I.

Despite good displays by 'keeper April Watson and defender Steph Young, York were two goals behind at the break and lacked the finishing power to come back after Leeds scored again in the second-half.

In division four, City of York Ladies III lost 5-4 at Skipton and Airedale II.

Becky Copperthwaite (2), Krista Siddall and Sarah Hughes scored York's goals while 'keeper Lauren Shuttleworth played well.

City of York Ladies IV made sure of the division five title with a 2-1 win at home to their nearest challengers Salendine Nook.

The win was York's eleventh success in a row but the visitors pressed hard throughout and York were fortunate to take all the points.

Anna Ramli forced the ball home from short range early on and added York's second soon after half-time before the Huddersfield side replied midway through the half.

With Rachel Chelton and Karen Llewellyn defending well, York then survived to round-off a best-ever season.

Updated: 08:34 Tuesday, March 15, 2005