PLUCKY City of York Hockey Club first team suffered a seven-goal double defeat.

They were unluckily on the wrong end of a 4-3 loss at Cheshire hosts Bowden before falling to a 5-2 reverse at home to Timperley.

Initially York adapted well to Bowden's water-based pitch, Ben Foster giving them an early lead. With James Gilbert and John Jenkin to the fore York dominated. But two goals early in the second half for the hosts put York on the back foot.

Matt Couttie equalised from a short corner and York pressed for a winner only to be hit by two breakaway goals. Jenkin trimmed the deficit to set up a frantic finale, but City could not nick an equaliser.

Less than 24 hours later, Timperley took a 2-0 half-time lead against their York hosts.

Undaunted, City countered with a superbly struck reverse stick shot through Foster, who then teed up Kyle Hogg for a leveller.

In a tense finish, York were reduced to ten men, which enabled Timperley to seize command with three late unanswered goals.

City of York II led leaders Gateshead 2-0 through Chris Dutton and Nick Carter only for their visitors to restore parity midway through the second half. City of York created several chances, but none were taken.

Also held in check were City of York III, who shared a 3-3 draw at Leeds side LA Metros.

A Pete Perryman cross was deflected into his own goal by a Metros defender only for the hosts to reply despite solid defending by father and son David and Tom Rowlands.

LA Metros took a contentious lead in the second half, but York equalised with an audacious flick over the 'keeper from Luke Griggs.

A defensive mix-up allowed Metros to score again before a short corner saw Gavin Ward equalise with the last hit of the match.

The only consolation in City of York IV's 3-1 loss to Old Malton was a Denis Hooton goal.

City of York V toppled West Yorkshire Police 2-1. David da Silva opened York's account in what was scant reward for a dominant first half.

After the visitors squandered several openings, York's man of the match Danny Turton doubled the lead. The Police ranks notched a late reply.

Twice City of York VI led at 2-1 and 4-2, but they were unable to see off Sheffield Hallam VII, who bounced back for a 4-4 draw.

After Hallam broke the deadlock York took charge with goals from Les Reed and Alex Herriott.

Though Sheffield pegged the game back, Reed again and Patrick Herriott struck to give the York ranks a two-goal advantage. But a combination of 'interesting' umpiring decisions and Hallam's resilience led to a share of the spoils.

The plunder was equally divided between City of York VII and Scunthorpe I, but the York hosts fought back from a 3-1 deficit through Richard Tanner-Smith (2) and Tim Jolly.

Updated: 10:40 Tuesday, February 08, 2005