A second-half flurry of goals rescued what threatened to be a disappointing weekend for high flying City of York in division two of the Northern Premier Hockey League.

In a rearranged clash with Swalwell on Sunday, York found themselves 2-0 down after the first ten minutes.

City eventually got a grip on the game and Phil Clark hauled them back into contention when he finished off a well-worked short corner.

Swalwell restored their two-goal advantage from a short-corner flick five minutes from half-time, only for York to give themselves hope when Glyn Humphreys slipped the ball into the goal in the dying seconds.

After the break York pushed Swalwell on to the back foot and Mark Thirlway levelled the scores when he fired in a shot from a tight angle.

Player coach Mike Thornicroft then confidently dispatched a penalty stroke before York went further ahead through Clark.

Clark completed his hat-trick a few minutes later from another short corner before York 'keeper James Baughan pulled off fine saves from two Swalwell penalty strokes.

With ten minutes remaining Ian Butler made the score 7-3 with a tap-in at the far post.

Despite further York pressure, an eighth goal, which would have put York clear at the top of the league, proved elusive.

The well-deserved victory did at least ensure York remain tied at the top with Disley following a disappointing display against Durham University the previous day.

York dropped their first points of the season in a poor 1-1 draw against the students.

Durham started the stronger forcing Baughan to make a series of fine saves in the opening exchanges.

York took a first-half lead when Clark flicked the ball home following a short corner and well-worked switch routine.

But an uneven pitch prevented York from building up their fast-flowing style in the second half.

With ten minutes to go Durham hit York with a counter attack and were rewarded with a piece of good fortune.

Clark's clearance hit an attacker's stick and the ball deflected past a stunned Baughan and trickled over the line.

City of York II enjoyed a memorable 4-0 victory over Wakefield I.

York were 2-0 up at half time thanks to goals from Alex Fletcher and Matthew Todd and could have been further in front but for the post and a disallowed strike.

After the break, Wakefield stepped up the pressure but York weathered the storm.

A Nick Carter penalty stroke extended the lead and he added another, and York's fourth, just moments later from a short corner.

City of York III produced their best performance of the season to beat Halifax II 1-0.

Apart from a missed Halifax penalty stroke, York's goal was rarely threatened thanks to the dominance of Matthew Martindale, Gavin Ward and skipper Peter Foulsham in midfield.

York's winner came in the second-half after a free-hit put Ward through to score the well warranted winner.

City of York IV were beaten 5-2 by Leeds II, despite taking an early lead through Jamie Graham.

Leeds fought back to go a goal in front before half time and were 5-1 up in the second half before Phil Radley restored a little City pride as the game neared its end.

City of York V 'A' were crushed 7-0 by Chapeltown II.

York, who arrived only a few minutes before the start due to traffic delays, were caught cold by Chapeltown who were 6-0 up at half-time.

York battled well in the second-half and conceded only one more goal, with Chris Wilson enjoying an excellent game at right midfield.

City of York V 'B' lost by the same scoreline to Slazengers II despite a battling performance by Paul Lewis in the heart of the city defence.

City of York VI 'A' beat Sheffield VI 3-1. Two excellent second half goals from Tim Downey, one from a short corner and the other from open play, and a strike from Marco Dukic sealed Sheffield's fate before the South Yorkshire side got a late consolation.

City of York VI 'B' beat Scarborough III 4-0 thanks to a Phil Habergham hat-trick and a Richard Bluff strike.

City of York Under-11s had a successful series of matches at Driffield.

York's youngsters beat Hull YPI 3-0, Scarborough 3-0 and Driffield 'B' 2-0, thanks to three goals from Thomas Sorby, four from Scott Nicholas and a single strike from Amelia Smalley.

York were held to a 0-0 draw by Driffield 'A' before losing their final match 1-0 to Hull.

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