After poor results in the first part of the season, a fine run of ten points from the last four games has hoisted York Women's first team into third place in division two of the North League.

A York Women's first team player evades Neston opponents during York's 2-0 win on Saturday. Picture: Mike Tipping

With a reorganisation of the league structure at the end of the season, York's 2-0 home win against Neston (Wirral) guarantees them at least a promotion play-off place with just one game to play.

The foundations for York's win were strong defending and some excellent goal-keeping from Lynne Gowland. Although seldom called on, Gowland made two superb first-half saves to deny Neston before York, who had earlier come close to scoring several times, took the lead right on half-time, Karen Howells finding the net after a rehearsed move from York's sixth penalty corner.

That goal seemed to demoralise Neston, themselves still in the hunt for promotion, and it was no surprise when York scored again in the second-half. The goal also came from a penalty corner, Carol Collinson placing an accurate shot in the small gap between Neston's 'keeper and the near post.

Content with that lead but not quite at their best, York placed the emphasis on containment towards the end of the game, with Tanya Baughan added to the defence so that Gowland remained untroubled.

York II, struggling against relegation from division one of the Yorkshire League, had a welcome 1-0 win against Airebrough/New Leeds, Lynne Boddy scoring the decisive goal.

In the Carol Fletcher Yorkshire Under 19 Tournament, York Juniors played well in the preliminary round with wins against Sheffield and Colne Valley before edging out Chapeltown (Sheffield) in a semi-final penalty shoot-out, only to lose to a more experienced Bradford side in the final. York's scorers were Louise Raper (3), Louise Dickson, Jo Savage and Kate Lester.

Weather sweeps York off top

City of York Hockey Club's fixture programme was severely hit by the adverse weather which saw the first team knocked from their lofty perch at the top of Northern Premier League division one.

But with York's game away to Disley being off, the team have two games in hand on new leaders Timperley.

They beat Springfield 3-0 while Doncaster II wasted the chance to go top, losing 2-1 at Wigan.

In the Northern Counties League division two, City of York II faced leaders Leeds and went down 1-0.

Coach Nigel Herd put an extra man in midfield in a bid to close down the Leeds' attack and get something from the match.

York were forced to defend for much of the game with Gareth Jones working tirelessly in defence.

But the occasional break was made and from one of these City of York came near to snatching a goal.

Alex Fletcher lead a counter attack and slipped the ball to Neil Harrison who could only snatch at the shot.

After the break, the constant pressure saw York's discipline start to crack and it wasn't long before Leeds took advantage.

A free-hit was struck hard towards the York goal and was deflected in past a stranded Martin Parrott.

York were forced on the offensive with Graham Cook leading the way with some fine moves down the right flank.

Fletcher came closest to gaining a share of the spoils when he drove a fierce shot inches wide.

City of York III's game was cancelled but City of York IV fought well to record a 2-2 draw with Ben Rhydding III.

Ben Rhydding took the lead early in the game and kept it until half-time.

After the interval, York drew level when a Jaime Graham shot from a Lee Page short corner was only parried by the goalkeeper.

Matthew Merrick followed-up and hit a reverse-stick shot the ball into the net.

The goal inspired York who pressed hard to take the lead which they duly did through a Graham strike from another short corner.

However, it was now the turn of Ben Rhydding to apply the pressure and a quick-fire riposte brought about an equaliser.

The final minutes saw a flurry of activity but both sides had to settle for a point.

City of York V 'A' versus Huddersfield III was cancelled because of snow but York V 'B' were well-beaten 5-1 by a strong Hull University II.

The students were 3-0 up at the break but York rallied in the second-half and scored from a Marcus Bellerby penalty flick.

York pressed forward but in doing so left themselves open to the counter, which Hull took advantage of to score another two goals.

Both City of York VI games were cancelled.

City of York's young brigade exceeded expectations in their weekend programmes.

City of York Under-11 Girls emerged victorious from the Yorkshire round of the National Mini-Hockey Championships.

In the pool matches, they drew 1-1 thanks to a Lucy Butcher goal with Doncaster before beating Hymers College 1-1 with Butcher again the scorer.

In the semi-finals they beat Wakefield 2-0, Butcher again scoring and Jessica Barnes netting the second before another Butcher brace helped York beat Doncaster 2-0 in the final.

As Yorkshire champions, the girls play in the Northern England finals at Sunderland on Saturday, April 24.

City of York Under-13 Boys were also crowned Yorkshire champions in a weekend of double celebrations.

A Luke Ramli goal gave them victory over Welton with John Raper also finding the net in a 1-0 win over Sheffield.

In the semi-finals, goals from Josh Bonner and Richard Jenkin gave City a 2-0 win and a place in the final against Hereford School, from Grimsby.

The match finished 0-0 at full-time, forcing a penalty shoot-out. After the first round of three shots neither side had scored.

In the third round of sudden-death Ramli fired home as Grimsby missed.

The champions will play in the North of England finals at Kirkham Grammar School, Preston on March 21.

Playing in the last fixtures of the Yorkshire Youth Under-16 Boys League, the much-improved City of York Under-16s gave a good account of themselves.

With a goal by Marco Dukic, they drew 1-1 with Driffield before drawing 0-0 with Sheffield Bankers and losing their final game 1-0 against Almondbury.

Acomb keep promotion hopes alive

Weather blighted Acomb Hockey Club's weekend fixtures.

However, Acomb Men's II played and continued their fine run of form to keep their promotion hopes alive with a 4-0 win over Old Malton.

Barrie Whitfield opened the scoring from a short corner before the same player then scored his and Acomb's second of the match.

Just before half-time, Andy Lovett hammered the ball home from another short corner. After the break, Lovett matched Whitfield's achievements by bagging his second of the match.

Acomb III played Adel VII off the park to win 6-2.

Jon Cooper scored from a penalty flick to give Acomb the lead with Mick Jones and Matthew Dickensen also finding the net.

In the second-half, Adel managed to score twice but further goals, including one from top-scorer Martin Grainge and a second for Dickensen, saw Acomb comfortably through.

On Sunday, Acomb mixed team entertained Horsforth and found themselves 2-0 down at half-time.

After the break, Nick Linfoot scored twice to draw Acomb level but with time running out Horsforth broke away to score a late winner.

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