A DOUBLE defeat left City of York Hockey Club men’s II staring relegation in the face in the Yorkshire League premier division.

The City second string, propping up the table with two wins from their 16 matches, lost 2-1 at Brigg I on Saturday and then went down 4-1 at home to Driffield I on Sunday.

Against Brigg, York had a golden chance to take an early lead when Josh Longster’s shot hit a defender on the line, but Dave Rogers saw his penalty flick saved.

Brigg took the lead when they caught the York defence sleeping, and doubled their advantage when a wayward shot was deflected in off a post via a defender.

Minutes later, Mike Hugill’s ball was touched home by skipper Alex Fletcher and in a frantic finale York had three fantastic opportunities to level but were unable to finish.

It was a different story 24 hours later when Driffield forged into a 4-0 lead early in the second half and Rogers scored a penalty corner with 20 minutes remaining.

A string of saves from man of the match Jonathan Doyle in the York goal prevented a heavier defeat.

In the North League premier division, City of York I were edged out 3-2 at home to third-placed Durham University.

City started slowly against a good counter-attacking Durham side and soon found themselves 2-0 down.

They managed to pull a goal back before half-time after some excellent work down the left-hand side teed up Lee Cuffe.

York dominated the majority of the second half, but they conceded an early goal and could only manage an Oliver Couttie goal after a rebound on a short corner.

City of York III lost 4-3 to Huddersfield Dragons II in Yorkshire League division one.

City led after ten minutes through a Chris Dutton tap-in, but Huddersfield scored a breakaway equaliser and then capitalised on a defensive error to go ahead.

Huddersfield quickly made it 4-1 after the break, prompting a City revival that brought goals for Phil Hamilton and Pali Surdhar. York’s constant pressure created ten short corners, but all of them were foiled by Huddersfield.

In division three, City of York IV beat hosts Sheffield University Bankers IV 4-2.

A Greg Sykes free hit in the fifth minute was picked up by Tim Lister and he rounded the ’keeper and scored with a reverse stick sweep. Two minutes later, Lister made a crucial interception in midfield and fed Alex Lewis, whose pass was put away by Ben Foster. Foster then laid on a third for Lewis and City led 3-0 with ten minutes on the clock. Bankers scored before half-time, but Sykes and Foster combined for the latter to score.

’Keeper Tom Swift deflected a ball in off his pads in the last minute.

City of York V were 3-0 victors over Ben Rhydding V in division five north. Dan Tompkins opened the scoring with a miss hit shot that bobbled past the goalkeeper and Arron Solanki scored twice for City in the second half.

In the same division, City of York VI beat Ben Rhydding 4-2 thanks to a hat-trick from Mal Cossey and an Ed Marsden goal.

City of York VII were edged out 4-3 by Bradford II in division five north. Pat Birch netted in the first half, but Bradford led 2-1 at the break. City fell 3-1 down early in the second half and despite two goals from Matt Newlove, Bradford added a fourth to seal the points.

City of York VIII were 4-2 home winners over Tadcaster Magnets II in division seven north. Rich Robson, Matt Newlove, Pat Birch and Robin Davis were the scorers.

Despite two well-taken goals by Richard Tanner-Smith, City of York IX went down 4-2 to Halifax V.

City of York X (Badgers) held hosts Doncaster to a 1-1 draw.

York’s early pressure paid off with a tenth-minute goal from James Fitton after a move involving Matt Horn and Henry Wilson.

Doncaster equalised ten minutes into the second half.