YORK City Ladies kicked off their new league season with a 6-3 victory at AFC Preston.

A sluggish City were 3-1 down at half-time, Charlie Woodward scoring the City goal.

Manager Steve Thornton sent on wingers Emma Fawcett and Tina Reeve at the interval and the switch paid dividends as Jenny Garnett quickly reduced the arrears.

Kelly Chesterton netted the equaliser with a volley and the floodgates opened with Garnett going on to complete a hat-trick and Woodward adding her second goal.

Lauren Coombs was named player of the match.

City entertain Morley Spurs this weekend.

City Ladies reserves remain unbeaten after a 3-1 home win against Scunthorpe-based side Bottesford Tigers.

Jo Gardiner opened the scoring with a 30-yard shot -- her first goal for nearly three years. After Tigers equalised, captain Heidi Fox made it 2-1 and Kate Jackson added the third.

Next week the reserves travel to Caistor to face Sporting Links in the first round of the Yorkshire Cup.

Updated: 11:43 Friday, September 19, 2003