ACOMB Hockey men’s I took a hard-earned 2-1 win away from Harrogate IV in Yorkshire League division four north.

Both defences held firm for the first 15 minutes before Matt Gray leapt on a loose ball and swept home with the home keeper on the ground.

Acomb controlled the rest of the first half with debutant Mike Humfries keeping the Tangerines’ left side on the move.

Ten minutes into the second half, Matt Dickenson found full-back David Brown high up the field from a dead ball position.

He drove into the circle and his cross found Gray, who slotted home neatly at the back post.

With tempers starting to get the better of both teams, Acomb went down to ten men with 15 minutes remaining and conceded three minutes from time as Craig Brown, in the Tangerines goal, couldn’t get to a deflected penalty corner strike.

Acomb men’s II picked up their first league win of the season with 4-0 triumph at Leeds Adel IV in division five north.

Harry Ellis opened the scoring in the first half and doubled his tally after the break.

The Tangerines went on the rampage in the second half with further goals from Jonny Brown and Jon Bell following excellent attacking play from Andy Smith and fine defensive performances from John Armitage, Mark Ellis and Andrew Church.