Evening Press Sport

Safety should be assured for City of York after they scored an impressive 3-2 win over Harrogate.

IN CONTROL: Harrogate's midfield look to start an attack as City of York's Paul Sangwin moves in to cut out the danger

After facing the anxiety of slips dragging them back towards the relegation battle in the premier division of the Northern Counties League, York put their fears behind them as they edged out the former leaders.

The contest was initially scrappy given the tight marking and frantic pace, but after 10 minutes Harrogate carved out the first chance when a short corner saw Blake fire the ball on target at waist height but, with keeper James Riley beaten, Phil Clark made an amazing goal-line block.

Given Blake's expertise from set plays, Harrogate sought to win short corners whenever they could and two minutes after their first escape City were a goal down when the specialist striker placed a perfect flick into their net.

City responded in style when a move down the left saw Mark Little's pass put James Gilbert through and he wrong-footed two defenders before rocketing in an unstoppable shot to equalise.

The contest remained tight but Harrogate regained the lead on the stroke of half-time with Blake predictably netting from a short corner.

During the interval, City opted to sacrifice a player and assign both Karim and Raz Ramli to keep tabs on Blake, and the ploy worked well with Harrogate's attacks drying up.

City then pounced on a defensive error to equalise with Gilbert's interception leading to his strike on goal being blocked, but Glyn Humphrey was on hand to lift the rebound over the keeper and into the net.

However, the best was yet to come as City, down to 10 men after a card had been issued, scored the winner from a move that saw Little free Phil Clark on the right. From his cross Paul Sangwin fired a pass to Humphrey whose first-time shot raced into the roof of the net.

It required some good defending for City to hold on and beat the second-placed side in the table, but they will fancy their chances next week when they take on table-toppers Sheffield, who enjoyed a thrilling 8-7 win over Neston.

In division two east the wheels seem to have come off City of York II's push for a promotion spot.

While Durham University maintained their lead of four points with a 10-0 thrashing of Leeds side Ramgarhia and second placed Sheffield stayed in touch with a 5-2 away success at Norton, City were held 3-3 at Brigg to diminish their chances of taking a slot in the top two.

In one of their poorest performances, City managed to take the lead through Chris Wilson, but Brigg replied five minutes later and went in front before the interval.

The situation became even more grim when a Brigg breakaway saw them out-number City's defence three to two, and they duly scored.

With 20 minutes remaining, City finally clicked into gear and a foul on Mick Moisley led to Nick Carter netting from a penalty flick and they salvaged a point when Carter produced a full-blooded strike from a short corner.

City of York III never made the most of taking the initiative against Ben Rhydding III and went down 2-0.

City were looking good in the early stages but were denied by some good saves by the Ilkley side's keeper and some indifferent finishing, but then an error by Martin Parrott gifted Ben Rhydding their opener and a second strike before half-time left hard-working City with too much to do.

It was much the same for City of York IV who squandered a golden chance in the first minute of their clash with Harrogate III and ended up losing 3-0.

A tight contest remained goalless, thanks to City's David Ewing making an excellent goal-line stop from a short corner, until 15 minutes from the end when Harrogate gained the lead and then polished things off with two late goals.

There was a heavy defeat for City of York V as they went down 5-1 against Brigg III.

Good open play brought Tim Downie a goal after some excellent work in the build up from Fez Abbas and Russell Grant, but they were soon pegged back as Brigg equalised and then scored again to hold the lead at half-time.

The second period saw Brigg use the flanks to good effect and in the final quarter they ran away with the game.

Thirsk proved a happy hunting ground for City of York VI as they beat the home side's second string 4-1.

The home club gained the lead but two good strikes from Oliver Scully lifted City, who then ensured victory with goals from Edward Shouksmith and John Bell.

Defensive lapses proved costly for City of York VII as they went down 2-1 at home to Ben Rhydding VII.

City held possession for long periods but failed to make it work to their advantage and the Ilkley side gained the lead when a forward was left unmarked and he scored with a superb reverse stick shot that left keeper Ian Jagger with no chance.

It was a feat City matched as great work by Mark Robson and Guy Dethridge led to Tim Jolly firing home a reverse flick, but hopes of a draw were ruined when a defensive slip allowed Rhydding in for a late winner.

Ben Rhydding VIII held on for a 3-2 success as City of York VIII travelled to Ilkley.

The game got off to an unusual start as defensive failings, but also the performance of an inexperienced umpire, saw the visitors slump to three goals down inside 10 minutes, but the second half saw City take control.

They reduced the deficit through Dick Bowen, and then a James Clothier strike put them right back in touch, but the home side held out.

Cup joy after league woe

York Women bounced back after their poorest league display of the season to ensure progress into the quarter-finals of the Hockey Association's plate competition.

It was an amazing turn- around after York went down 6-0 in division one of the Women's North League at the hands of Chester.

Chester got off to a flying start with two goals from close range inside the opening quarter hour.

York added to their own woes before half-time when they needlessly lost possession on halfway and the home side raced through to score.

There was to be no revival from York, who attempted to push players forward but were then left open to Chester counter-attacks and they conceded a further three goals.

However, another trip across the Pennines in the cup produced a much different performance as York ran out 3-2 winners at Blackburn.

York again gave away an early goal but this time responded promptly with Sally Sleightholme equalising from Paula Clough's well placed cross.

The threat of Clough and Hannah Rockcliffe proved too much for Blackburn to handle and York added two more goals before half-time with Sarah Harrison giving them the lead and the Sleightholme pounced to slot the ball away following Karen Howell's initial shot from a penalty corner.

Sleightholme went within inches of completing a hat-trick early in the second half, but it was Blackburn who then found the target and York had to work hard in the final 15 minutes to hold on to their lead.

Disaster struck for York II in division one of the Yorkshire League as they went down 6-0 at Skipton and Airedale.

The first half had been an even and goalless affair but then York keeper Sarah Massen sustained an injury and the side never recovered as Skipton took advantage and scored six times in the final quarter of the game.

In division seven York III travelled to Huddersfield and won 4-1 at Lockwood Park, their scorers were Becky Copperthwaite (2), Sue Pickles and Sam Clowes.

Acomb I adapted well to playing on grass as they scored a 2-0 success over Yorkshire Bank.

They made the best of starts with Vicky Winters opening the scoring.

Bank tried to hit back but Sarah Butterworth's grip on midfield ensured Acomb stayed on top and they ensured the points when Kerry Rafton added a second.

Acomb II were made to work hard for their 2-1 success over Leeds University in division six of the Yorkshire League.

They started strongly and goals from Laura Ward and Kerry Fligg gave them a half-time lead.

However, the students responded well in the second half and pulled a goal back and it needed some good saves from Acomb keeper Gemma Hall for them to hold out for a win.

CGU let victory slip throught their hands when Whitby equalised with two minutes remaining in their Costcutter York and District League clash.

The York side opened the scoring when a short corner was saved by Whitby's goalkeeper, but Jayne Leckenby knocked in the re-bound, but two minutes from the end a lack of concentration cost CGU dearly when a goal was allowed by the umpire although it was struck from outside the 'D'.

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