Hockey: City of York push hosts Deeside Ramblers to limit in premier division defeat (From York Press)

Hockey: City of York push hosts Deeside Ramblers to limit in premier division defeat

10:00am Tuesday 23rd October 2012 in Sport

BATTLING City of York Hockey Club men’s I pushed hosts Deeside Ramblers I all the way in a 5-3 defeat in the North League premier division.

Deeside, relegated from the National League last season, bossed the first half but the teams were level at 2-2 shortly after the interval. City then fell 4-2 behind but pulled a goal back and were pushing for an equaliser when Deeside scored a late fifth goal.

The York defence of Michael Gamble, Matt Redwood, Paul Hemsley and man of the match Jonny Jenkins were worked hard in the first half and, after Rich Cockram forced a superb save from the Deeside goalkeeper, the home side went in front from a deflected strike.

Deeside extended their lead minutes into the second half, but City of York started the fightback with a Richard Jenkin penalty corner flick and a finish from Ben Bull close in. In between the York strikes, goalkeeper Jonathan Chappell pulled off a miraculous stick save low down to his right. Deeside completed a frantic first ten minutes of the second half with a penalty corner goal and a breakaway strike put them 4-2 ahead.

City of York set up an exciting last ten minutes when they scored the team goal of the game, Jonny Jenkin driving forward from near the halfway line before slipping the ball to Steve Paterson, whose instinctive reverse-stick shot was diverted in by skipper Chris Wilson.

A spectacular shot into the roof of the net gave Chappell no chance, however, as Deeside sealed the win.

Yorkshire League division one leaders City of York II secured back-to-back wins at the weekend.

On Saturday, they beat visitors Harrogate II 5-2 before a 2-1 home victory over Sheffield University Bankers IV on Sunday.

York were quick out of the blocks against Harrogate, Dan Tompkins making an incisive run before squaring the ball for skipper Alex Fletcher to score.

They then swept from defence to attack and Peter Fitton was on hand to find the bottom corner.

Harrogate pulled a goal back when a penalty corner was deflected home, but Fletcher made it 3-1 at half-time.

Harrogate were handed a lifeline at the start of the second half, but Danny Ellwood tapped in York’s fourth at the far post and, with two minutes left, Fitton was deliberately taken out by the ’keeper and Ellwood coolly slotted home from the spot.

The following day, York took the lead when Luke Doran found space to slot home.

After the break, Dave Rodgers put in the rebound after Doran’s effort had been saved.

Bankers rallied and pulled a goal back, but York’s defence saw out the match, led by man of the match David Clamp.

City of York III won 2-1 at Brigg II in division two.

York ’keeper Brian Ignjatovic made a string of saves early in the game before Chris Dutton put the visitors in front with a penalty stroke after his shot was stopped illegally on the line. In the last quarter, Brigg scored from a penalty corner but, with minutes to go, Dutton made a solo run into the Brigg ‘D’ and flicked the ball past the ’keeper. City of York IV bounced back from conceding a soft early goal to draw 1-1 with Thirsk I in division three, with Seb Murgatroyd hitting the equaliser.

Lewis Inman and Dennis Hooton (2) were on target as City of York V won 3-1 at Thirsk in division five north.

In the same division, City of York VI thrashed Harrogate IV 4-0.

James Wallis scored the only goal of the first half, while a fine stick save by ’keeper Dave Horn preserved the lead. Will Broadbent, Wallis and Richard Tanner-Smith were the second-half scorers.

Second-placed City of York VIII cruised to a 5-0 win over Barnsley II in division seven. Richard Robson, Danny Vaughan, Mikey Jacobsen and Adam Iyer (2) were the scorers.

City of York X (Badgers) drew 0-0 at Huddersfield.

City could have won the game in spectacular fashion late on when James Fitton found some space in the ‘D’, but his reverse-stick shot ricocheted back off a post.

Acomb I were held to a 3-3 draw with Kingston-upon-Hull in division four, while Acomb II lost 3-0 at Airedale II in division six north.