FIVE goals bagged in two North League premier division games in as many days – but City of York Hockey Club men’s first XI are still seeking their first win this season.

While York notched a nap hand they yielded no fewer than 13 goals. A 6-2 defeat at Doncaster was followed by more away-day woe with a 7-3 loss to Manchester hosts Timperley leaving York to go into the holiday break without a victory.

At Doncaster, York bounced back from an early loss of a goal to level with a superb strike from Alex Cockram. He rounded the goalkeeper and fired in a reverse stick shot against the backboard. He almost repeated the feat soon after but could not get the shot away as the half finished at 1-1.

Doncaster rattled in three quick goals after the break and then a fifth before Cockram teed up Mike Carter to score.

Late on, Doncaster had the final say with their sixth goal.

Within 15 minutes at Timperley, City were down and out after conceding four times. Though Ben Bull drove a shot powerfully into the roof of the net, York conceded a fifth just before half-time.

A spirited team-talk from coach Dave Lancaster helped to motivate the City lads, who reduced the arrears when Maciek Wieczorek sent a long ball over the top. Alex Cockram’s shot was saved but brother Richard Cockram pounced to score.

Timperley replied in kind before a move started by man of the match Stephen Patterson was carried on by Sam Engleman with Alex Cockram netting a fierce slap shot. Unfortunately, another Timperley raid saw them score a seventh.

City of York III ended the year on a high with a convincing 5-1 win over Ramgarhia I in division two of the Yorkshire League.

From the onset York answered the call to increase their intensity and were 1-0 up within five minutes when a lovely hit into the ‘D’ by Alex Herriott was met by Chris Bolt to slot past the ’keeper.

Bolt again scored after being teed up by Hugh Richards and then, on a breakway, Rob Chamberlin’s reverse shot made it 3-0 before a fantastic individual effort from Tim Lister, who beat three defenders on a surge down the wing and then found the net from an acute angle, put the game beyond doubt.

Chamberlin however had to go to hospital for treatment to broken fingers while Joe Lancaster was yellow-carded for bad language.

Despite being a man down, York went nap through man of the match Alex Herriott, and though they created more chances they could add no more and lost the chance of a clean sheet with a Ramgarhia reply late on.

The division three points were shared as City of York IV drew 3-3 at home to Ben Rhydding IV.

Three times the hosts countered from deficits to restore parity through Greg Sykes (2) and Zach Moore. There were two fine goal-line saves from York’s Chris Knowles.

Despite dominating their division four north game at home to Halifax III, City of York V perished 3-1. Neil Reader was the scorer.

In the same division, City of York VI beat city rivals Acomb I 3-2.

Acomb broke the deadlock, but York rallied to lead with a brace of Andy Brewster goals.

Just before half-time the lead was increased when Henry Wilson forced the ball into the ‘D’ before captain Pat Birch applied the finish.

The home defence then held firm until a late Acomb strike halved the deficit.

An improved performance was not enough for City of York VIII to prevent a 3-1 loss at home to Bradford III in division six north.

York went ahead through James Crellin, but spurned a host of chances to make the game safe and Bradford countered strongly.

Goalkeeper David Hyams was in sterling form to quell an even higher defeat than the 7-0 loss suffered by City of York Badgers to visitors Thirsk.