CITY of York Hockey Club's first team got their Northern Hockey League premier division season back on track with a 2-1 revenge victory over Oxton.

The Birkenhead-based visitors were blitzed in the opening 20 minutes by a free-flowing attack which earned York a two-goal lead.

The opener came on ten minutes with a Nick Carter piledriver and was soon followed by a Jason Russell goal capping a fluent move.

Oxton, who had beaten York earlier in the campaign, were ripped apart but York missed several chances with the Oxton goalkeeper making some excellent saves.

As York's frustration grew, Oxton came back and hit the bar and it was James Riley's turn to put on a fine 'keeping display before he was beaten by a short corner strike.

The last few minutes were frantic with Riley protected by Luke Griggs and David Brooks while Chris Wilson continued to search for creative openings as York hung on to win.

Injury-hit City of York II also had to defend well as they won 3-2 at Lincoln I, a side who had held them to a draw in October.

Kyle Hogg, Rob Blackburn and Roz Ramli were all absent against a full-strength Lincoln outfit and York found themselves under pressure in the opening 20 minutes.

However, York looked sharp on the counter and broke to score through Kevin Shrimpton. James Redpath's flick after a goalmouth scramble doubled the lead.

Shortly after half-time Shrimpton was left unmarked to tap in the third.

Lincoln stormed back with several short corners, pulled a goal back, then scored from a penalty. York had a player sin-binned but defended well to clinch victory.

York also fielded a depleted team when they lost 3-2 at Wakefield in the Yorkshire 2nd XI Cup.

Goals by Matt Fletcher and Nick Elliott earned City of York III a 2-1 win at Thirsk I in Yorkshire League division three.

Martyn Parrott in the York goal did not touch the ball in the first half and it was only when York lost a player with a cut that the experienced hosts threatened.

They pulled a goal back ten minutes from time but with Gavin Ward excelling in midfield, York should have won by a bigger margin.

City of York IV whipped Hull IV in division five with Chris Smalley scoring twice.

Chris Atherton, Andy Wilson, Andy Potts and skipper Malcolm Cossey were also on target while goalkeeper Steve Church made some fine saves in Hull's lone bout of pressure.

The run of victories continued with York V hammering Rotherham IV 5-0 in division seven.

York were so dominant that Mark Burn, in goal, had virtually nothing to do while his South Yorkshire counterpart was kept busy.

Robin Johnson opened the scoring, Peter Puxton's deflected shot then trickled over the line and Dave Reynolds slotted home the third on the stroke of half-time from a short corner.

Wayne Stevens scored the fourth but York saved the best for last when a fine passing move was finished off by Tom Sorby.

Goals by Les Reed, Oliver Scully and Greg Sykes, the latter a great solo effort, gave City of York VI a 3-1 win over Slazengers V in division eight.

Scully was outstanding and Tony Moffat completely dominated his area in an excellent victory.

York's only defeat came at seventh team level as they lost 3-0 at Wakefield IV.

Les Reed, who also featured for City of York VI, netted four times as the eighth team thumped Leeds VI 6-2.

Also on target for City were Patrick Herriott and Andy Dent, while Richard Proctor played with great composure and Alex Herriott impressed at sweeper.

Updated: 11:05 Tuesday, February 10, 2004