Hockey: City of York Men's I return to winning ways (From York Press)

Hockey: City of York Men's I return to winning ways

10:51am Tuesday 30th October 2012 in Sport

FREE-SCORING City of York Hockey Club men’s I returned to North League premier division winning ways with a bang by beating visitors Bowdon 7-2 at Huntington.

The hosts started strongly with man-of-the-match Alex Cockram going close after some incisive play by Jonny Jenkin within the first two minutes.

A couple of minutes later they took the lead, Ben Bull dispossessing a Bowdon player in midfield to drive forward and take a return pass before neatly slotting it past the Bowdon goalkeeper.

Alex Cockram doubled the lead a few minutes later latching onto a rebound off the goalkeeper following a ferocious shot by Rich Jenkin.

Bowdon showed little ambition and relied on trying to play the ball directly up to their front players, but the threat was mostly dealt with comfortably by the defence led by Mike Gamble and Jonny Jenkin.

One raid, however, yielded a penalty corner for Bowdeon to halve the deficit. But City of York re-established their two-goal advantage when skipper Chris Wilson finished off some excellent work by Rich Jenkin.

A second Bowdon short corner was saved expertly with his stick by goalkeeper Jon Chappell before Rich Cockram scored to put the hosts 4-2 up by the interval.

City of York then scored three more goals in the second half – Rich Jenkin jabbing a drag flick into the roof of the net, Alex Cockram, a constant threat throughout the second half, again on target followed by a second strike from Bull.

Lee Cuffe was unlucky with a full-length dive in front of goal but was just unable to reach the ball.

City of York VII ousted hosts Harrogate 2-1 to advance to the Yorkshire League Cup semi-finals.

Harry Heyes scored the first goal quickly followed by well-taken strike from Joe Sumpner.

The visitors were unable to increase the lead after half-time as Harrogate fought back with a reply.

York were put under heavy pressure for the final ten minutes but held out to bag the semi-final slot.

In Yorkshire League division seven, City of York IX shaded a nine-goal thriller at Hull University.

City started well, Alex Triffitt and John Doran on target only for the students to level by half-time.

The second half also proved a goal fest as York sealed their first win of the season.

A brace of goals from Andy Dent and one from Tim Downie eventually proved the difference between the sides as Hull Uni twice struck in the second half.