City of York Hockey Club's first team maintained their two-point lead at the top of the Northern Counties League division one with a 4-0 away win over Brooklands II.

The victory was a cause for double celebration for York - it was the first time Brooklands, the division's top scorers, had drawn a blank all season.

After a scrappy opening of few chances, Jason Bemrose and Mark Thirlway began to impose themselves on the game and soon York took the lead.

A Mike Thornicroft cross was lashed home from the penalty spot area by Thirlway as York's confidence began to shine.

The pressure told five minutes from half-time when Mark Little received the ball from a switched shot corner and wrong-footed the 'keeper to fire into an empty net.

After the break and with Brooklands having to chase the game, York's defence was able to soak up the pressure before sending City away on swift counters.

York's third goal came from a Mike Thornicroft penalty stroke after Thirlway was upended following a surge past four defenders.

Five minutes later Thirlway scored his second and York's fourth to seal a well-deserved win.

City of York II completed an unwanted double of 1-0 defeats at the hands of Sunderland.

York were gunning for revenge after losing on their travels earlier this season but were left ruing an early Nick Carter penalty saved by the Sunderland 'keeper.

But it was the Wearsiders who took the lead before half-time when after a fast break they were awarded a short corner.

The initial strike was saved but the rebound was fired home.

After the break, York stepped up the pressure but a packed Sunderland defence refused to crack.

In the last quarter, the umpire inadvertently came to the visitors' aid when he deflected Graham Cook's goalbound shot over the backline.

And there was more woe for York's second team in the semi-final of the Yorkshire Second XI Cup. York were unable to emulate their senior team's performance of the week previous against Doncaster II and were well-beaten 4-0.

Ten-man City of York III gave a valiant performance before suffering a 1-0 defeat against Huddersfield II.

The defeat, sealed by a 20th minute first-half strike, plunges York deeper into trouble at the wrong end of the Yorkshire League division three table.

City of York IV and Hallam University struggled against the weather as much as each other with driving wind and sleet preventing good hockey.

Hallam took the lead after five minutes before Mark Lambert threatened a share of the spoils for York, bagging a second-half equaliser.

But with 15 minutes to go Hallam scored their second goal to grab all the points.

City of York V 'A' were reasonably pleased with their performance at Ben Rhydding III despite going down 4-1. York were 2-0 down at half-time and went 3-0 down after the restart.

An Andy Deady strike promised a York revival but the home team then knocked in a fourth from a set-piece late in the game.

City of York V 'B' struggled to find form on Old Malton's grass pitch and also found themselves 2-0 down before half-time.

York enjoyed most of the possession in the second-half but were unable to find a breakthrough and Old Malton sealed their win with a late goal.

A much-changed City of York VI 'A' were beaten 3-0 by an efficient Sheffield Bankers VI who scored all their goals in the first-half.

York reorganised after the break and despite a better performance were unable to grab a goal.

City of York VI 'B' were also altered from their previous encounter but were worthy 5-3 winners against Bradford IV.

With Ross Rayner in goal and John Raper at centre-forward making impressive debuts, Tom Maynard put City into the lead after ten minutes.

Bradford rallied, however, and two quick goals saw them take the lead only for Chris Wilson to restore parity at half-time.

In the second-half, Wilson helped himself to another three goals to consign Bradford to bottom place in Yorkshire League division seven.

Acomb Men's II were left disappointed after taking a 2-0 lead at Sheffield.

Goals from Peter Hilton and Keith Wilson seemed to have sent Acomb on the road to certain victory only for Sheffield to haul themselves level and steal a share of the spoils.

Acomb Men's III battled hard against title challengers Hallam but were beaten 4-1.

After going in 2-0 down at half-time, a Mark Gibbons strike offered York a glimmer of light but poor finishing was to prove costly when two quick goals sealed the win for Hallam.

Acomb IV were beaten by Adel VIII 2-1. Ian Robertson was on target for Acomb with Nick Good taking the man-of-the-match award.

Acomb claw way to top

Acomb Hockey Club Ladies struggled to overcome a determined Northallerton side but eventually ran out 2-0 winners.

And with league leaders Dragons dropping points, the win was enough to secure Acomb top dog status.

Short corner strikes from Ruth Butterworth and Kerry Rafton sealed the points for the York side, who had Fiona Quarrie in outstanding form.

York Women Hockey Club deserved their hard-fought 1-0 North League win at Northern, of Liverpool.

Karen Howells scored for York with an angled shot after a penalty corner, just reward for York's early pressure.

When Northern threatened, York were indebted to 'keeper Lynne Gowland for three good saves.

In division one of the Yorkshire League, York Women II lost 2-0 at home to Yorkshire Bank.

Nicky Perkins scored a hat-trick as York Women III beat Scarborough 4-0, Feli (CORR) Pomares adding the fourth.

York Sunday XI won 7-3 at Stamford Bridge thanks to a Louise Dickinson hat-trick, two goals from Erica Papaglimis and strikes from Katherine Downes and Vicky Winters.

City of York Under-14 Girls 'A' team came away unbeaten from the latest round of their Yorkshire Youth League fixtures.

The youngsters beat Doncaster 1-0 thanks to a Fran Nelson goal, drew 1-1 with Welton, Gemma Spry getting on the scoresheet, and beat Almondbury 2-0 with goals from Nelson and Gemma Brown.

The Under-14 Girls 'B' team did not fare so well, losing to Ben Rhydding 3-0, Driffield 7-0 and Sheffield Bankers 8-0.City of York Under-11 Mixed beat Hull YPI 2-0, lost to Driffield 'B' 2-1, beat Scarborough 4-0 and Driffield 'A' 2-0 before losing to Hull 3-0 in their final game.

Scott Nicholas scored four goals for York, Amelia Smalley three and Felicity Marks two.

In the Costcutter York and District League, Nestl Rowntree continued their impressive unbeaten run with a 2-0 win over Ryedale.Jane Markland and Margi Charlson scored the 'Trees' goals in the first half with Julie Moore in outstanding form.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.