CITY of York I slipped to fourth in the premier division of the Northern Hockey League after taking their foot off the gas at Alderley Edge.

The first team squad travelled to Manchester missing four players due to flu and skiing but were still confident of a good result.

Strong-starting York yielded the fruits of their early labours after eight minutes when Jimmy Gilbert found the net to put them in the lead.

The second half continued in the same open vein until Chris Wilson fired home to make it 2-0 and the three points look secure.

But York paid the price for relaxing too soon as Alderley Edge pulled one back with 15 to go before a dubious short corner at the death levelled the sides for a disappointing draw.

Promotion-chasing York II kept their challenge alive with a 2-1 win over Slazenger in NorthernHockey League division two.

A lacklustre opening 15 minutes saw Slazenger take the lead from a short corner but with both goalkeepers in fine form, the score remained until early in the second half, when Adam Simpson scored a heavily deflected short corner to put York back on an equal footing.

Constant pressure on the Slazenger goal eventually paid off for Richard Jenkins, who made up for his earlier card with the winning goal.

York III carved out a disappointing 0-0 draw in their Yorkshire League division three match with Huddersfield but York IV continued their good form with a win at Leeds.

Malcolm Cossey settled the nerves with an early strike to put York ahead and Chris Allerton doubled the lead soon after.

Leeds closed the gap but Allerton struck his second to restore the comfort zone before half time. A second for the hosts piled on the pressure but Jules Bellerby marshalled the York defence to hold firm for a 3-2 victory.

Five-goal York V ran riot over Huddersfield VI with a combination of youth and experience combining for a clean sheet.

David DaSilva ran onto a defence-splitting pass for his first of two goals, with Wayne Stevens also netting twice. Oli Scully rounded off the scoring with an exquisite reverse stick finish while youngster Stuart Burke proved solid at the back in the 5-0 win.

Simon Burnett and Clive Mills-Hicks scored for York VI but it wasn't enough to counter the slick short corners of Hull University II who found the net five times - three from corners. The defeat makes it a cold Christmas for York in Yorkshire division eight with just one win and a draw all season.

York VII snatched a last minute winner in Yorkshire division nine against Ben Rhydding VI. Dickie Bowen returned to the pitch from having treatment to bag the only goal of the game.

Rampant York VIII knocked six of the best past Wakefield VI. Les Reed hit a hat-trick with other goals coming from James Wallis, debutant Ben Hildreth and Robin Jackson.

Five-goal Draper cuts cut a dash

SUE Draper scored five times as City of York Ladies II thrashed division two Yorkshire League bottom club Richmond 11-0.

Draper set York on the way with four first-half goals, Shona Murray also scoring before the break. York continued to score regularly in the second-half, Draper completing her nap-hand while Jess Barnes (2), Vicky Blair, Amelia Smalley and Becky Raper completed the rout.

York Ladies III won 2-0 at Ben Rhydding V in division five, Sarah Hughes and Emily Bailey scoring.

In division six, York Ladies IV lost 2-1 at home to Selby. Jane Whitehead scored for York while Sam Fenning was the pick of the home eleven.

Two goals from Sarah Pedder gave Tadcaster Ladies I a 2-0 win at Leeds Owls.

Stamford Bridge Ladies won 2-1 at Stillington in the York and District Costcutter League.

Bridge opened the scoring through Sarah Kocinski. Stillington equalised just before half time but Kocinski's through ball was picked up by Claire Wright who slotted in the winner.

Nestl Rowntree beat Dunnington 4-0 with a fine all-round team performance.

Sue Yoward scored Nestle's first goal from short corner and the lead was soon doubled by Julie Moore. Just before half-time Margi Charlson added the third and after Dunnington forced Nestle's keeper Elaine Robinson to make great save, the confectionery side sealed victory with Jane Markland's goal.

Acomb Ladies II completed their pre-Christmas programme with a 2-0 defeat against Halifax Ladies IV.

Halifax took the lead just after Laura Ward went close with a short corner for Acomb, who almost equalised through Claire West just after the interval. Halifax doubled their lead midway through the second period.

Ward did well up front for Acomb whose player of the match was centre half Debbie Wright.

Acomb frustrated by Metros

ACOMB I let victory slip through their grasp when they were forced to settle for a 3-3 draw against LA Metros.

After leading 2-1 and 3-2, Acomb looked to be on course for a Yorkshire League division two victory, but were denied by an equaliser by the Leeds-based side from a short corner minutes from the end.

Metros had opened the scoring but Acomb levelled with a fine short corner strike by Nick Linfoot and then went ahead with another set move, this time Stuart Baxter fired the ball home.

The Tangerines were pegged back by an equaliser but Linfoot finally restored Acomb's lead only to concede late in the game after giving away a controversial short corner.

Acomb II dominated their division nine game against bottom club Scarborough.

Leyton Shaw opened the scoring and with Mike Brown and Barrie Whitfield bossing the midfield, it was no surprise when Andy Lovett made it 2-0.

Even when Acomb were temporarily reduced to nine men after a couple of yellow cards, Scarborough could not take advantage and Acomb stretched their lead with a reverse stick sweep by Whitfield.

Lovett then returned from the sin bin to add his second goal and complete a comfortable victory.

Tadcaster Men I ended the first half of the season in second spot in Yorkshire League division five after winning 1-0 at Grimsby I.

Tad went ahead from a well-worked short corner but it needed a brilliant last minute save from goalkeeper Downie from a disputed last minute penalty flick to preserve victory.

Tadcaster II were in free-scoring mood as they enjoyed a weekend double.

First they beat Boston Spa IV 4-1 to progress up the division eight table, Ben Turner opening the scoring. Turner was also on target twice the following day as Tadcaster won 4-2 at Bradford III.

Updated: 11:14 Tuesday, December 16, 2003