CITY of York I finally got their Northern Premier League campaign going with Glyn Humphrey scoring a hat-trick in a well deserved 4-1 win over Wigan.

This victory lifted them to eighth place and puts them in good heart for next Saturday's trip to much-fancied Durham University.

Wigan enjoyed most of the early possession but tight York marking frustrated the visitors.

York came closest to opening the scoring when Humphrey lay on a cross-cum-shot from a wide angle and James Gilbert, who managed to get to the goal line, could only deflect a shot inches past the far post.

York were getting in to their stride and Mark Little broke the deadlock with a run down the middle. He moved into the 'D' and from a narrow angle on the right, lashed the ball high into the net.

Despite losing the versatile Rob Blackburn with a foot injury, York took control with Humphrey taking centre stage after the interval.

He netted his second hat-trick of the season, grabbing his first soon after the break following good work down the left hand side.

A neat deflection made it 3-0 but Wigan hit back with a spell of pressure in which Wigan converted a penalty corner with a low dipping flick into the bottom right hand corner.

York responded positively and young Ollie Couttie broke free to unleash a reverse stick shot which the 'keeper managed to parry over for a long corner.

With about ten minutes to go, Humphrey rounded a defender at the top of the 'D' and placed his shot wide of the 'keeper to kill off Wigan's resistance.

There was little joy in City of York II's trip to Newcastle University I, whose superiority shone through in a 3-1 win.

The hosts were arguably the best opposition faced by the York ranks in two years, though the score was deadlocked at 0-0 at half-time. York were indebted hugely to Martin Parrott, whose goalkeeping skills were tested to the full by the students.

But the complexion of the clash changed as Newcastle hit three goals in the space of five minutes early in the second half. The lone consolation for York was a brilliant reverse stick sweep from John Jenkin.

Character was displayed by City of York III, who came from behind twice to share the Yorkshire League division three spoils against visitors Huddersfield II.

After an ebb and flow opening Huddersfield went in front, a lead they held until ten minutes into the second half when Jason Bemrose levelled.

In the dying exchanges Huddersfield restored their advantage, but the hosts refused to buckle and Bemrose struck a second equaliser for a valuable point.

A seven-goal thriller was settled at the last gasp in favour of City of York IV, who triumphed 4-3 away to neighbours Tadcaster I in division five.

Chris Allerton put the visitors ahead with Denis Hootton also on target before Tadcaster countered. Tad then took command with a brace of quick goals in the second-half to go 3-2 up.

But York bounced back almost instantly as Ed Shouksmith profited from good work by Allerton. As the final whistle was within earshot Allerton finished what he had started with his second goal and the visitors' winner.

Division seven defeat was almost snatched from the jaws of victory by City of York V. At home to Rotherham IV the hosts swept into a 3-0 half-time lead with two goals from David da Silva and a fine solo effort by Richard Cockram.

But positional changes wrung by Rotherham unsettled the hosts who conceded three goals in almost as many minutes to eventually hang on for a share of the booty.

It was all-square too for City of York VI away to their Huddersfield counterparts.

York deservedly struck first through Neil Reader only for their accurate passing to be undone by a leveller in the second half.

Despite late pressure they were unable to force a winner which was harsh on the outstanding Dan Furze, Tom Sorby and Alan Crompton.

A last-minute winner from Mark Dransfield sealed a 2-1 division eight victory for City of York VII against Wakefield IV after an opener from Dick Bowen had been wiped out. The victory leaves York four points clear at the top of the table, being the only side to win all three of their games.

City of York VIII's clash against Scunthorpe I was cancelled.

Results and men's Yorkshire League tables - Page 19

Updated: 11:27 Tuesday, October 22, 2002