Pressure point for City of York in North Hockey League (From York Press)

Pressure point for City of York in North Hockey League

10:04am Tuesday 12th March 2013 in Sport

BATTLING City of York men’s I hit back to salvage a 1-1 draw at home to fourth-placed Whitley Bay & Tynemouth I in the North Hockey League premier division.

The point could prove crucial as York fight to avoid being pulled into the relegation mire. They are four points above the drop zone with three games remaining.

The two teams created a number of chances but both goalkeepers were in fine form at Huntington School, with York’s Jon Chappell on top of his game when called upon.

The visitors opened the scoring on ten minutes when a quick break from a City of York penalty corner resulted in the defence being short-handed.

The clearest opportunities for the hosts fell to Rich Cockram, whose attempted lob was just reached by the Whitley Bay goalkeeper, and full-back Mike Gamble, who saw his attempt saved. In the second half, City finally found the back of the net when a shot by Cockram took a deflection off a defender and beat the ’keeper. The sides were warned about being overly-physical and shortly afterwards both were reduced to ten men by a yellow card apiece.

Division one champions City of York II were trounced 6-1 at in-form Slazengers I in the Yorkshire League.

York slipped behind midway through the first half, but equalised thanks to an own goal.

However, they trailed 3-1 at the break and the hosts fired in three more goals early in the second period.

Third-placed City of York III kick-started their promotion push in division two with a 2-1 win at Scarborough I.

York took the lead in the opening five minutes when Ben Foster won the ball and beat the ’keeper in a one-on-one.

Stand-in defender Pat Herriott won the man of the match award as he and Tom Norman kept Scarborough in check.

York extended their lead midway through the first half when Rory Ainslie ran in at the back post and neatly chipped the sliding ’keeper.

Scarborough responded with a goal against the run of play before half-time.

York held out in the second half despite Phil Hamilton being shown a yellow card.

Mid-table City of York IV were 2-1 home winners over Sheffield University Bankers V in division three.

Greg Sykes crashed a shot against a post from a short corner before Nick Casterton sent Danny Vaughan clear and he rounded the ’keeper before slotting past the lone defender on the line.

York then gave away a penalty flick after a defensive mix-up and although Tom Swift got a stick to it he was unable to keep it out.

In the second half, York started to dominate and, as the short corner count rose, Nick Philips scored from a rebound off the ’keeper.

City of York V suffered a 5-1 defeat at Wakefield IV in division five north. Injury-hit York took an early lead through Tony Brimble from a short corner, but a freak own goal pulled Wakefield level and the home side then assumed control.

An own goal was the only thing City of York VI had to show for their efforts as they were beaten 4-1 at home by University of York III in division five north.

Champions-elect Normanby Park II trounced City of York VIII 10-0 in division seven.

York had a few opportunities to score, notably a one-on-one with the ’keeper for Adam Iyer and a secondary Henry Wilson strike from a penalty corner that went wide.

A fine individual goal by Martin Gorton was not enough to prevent City of York IX slipping to their first defeat in four matches as they were edged out 2-1 by Wakefield VI in division seven.

The sides were level at half-time but York conceded again in the second half.

• Acomb men’s I beat Barnsley I 3-2 in Yorkshire League division four, while the Tangerines’ second string won 2-0 at Huddersfield Dragons V in division six north.