A HIGH-FIVE victory yielded a rare first for City of York men’s first team.

The 5-0 North League division one victory over visiting Neston South Wirral was not only characterised by five different marksmen but was also the side’s first clean sheet for several seasons.

Both teams enjoyed a share of possession for the first 15 minutes until York went ahead when Ant Bull tapped in a Rich Cockram shot parried by the Neston keeper. Soon after Rich Jenkin coolly slotted home from a link with Tom Feasby.

Alex Cockram got the third fastening on to a save from the Neston net-minder, who regularly thwarted the home raids.

However, he was unable to deny a reverse shot from Ben Bull to stretch the lead.

York’s clinical display was completed when Rich Cockram deflected in a shot from Ben Bull.

City of York II prevailed 5-3 in a friendly outing at Leeds Adel.

On target for the visitors were man of the match Robbie Unsworth, with a hat-trick, Pat Herriott and Matthew Tipper.

A lack of match sharpness told on City of York III, who went down 3-2 against Doncaster in Yorkshire League division two.

Some of the York players had not been in action since the third week of November, so rustiness was a factor.

York erased a Doncaster opener when Rob Prentice showed a stunning presence of mind to score with an intuitive lob.

That fine strike was then followed by a fluent move started by Danny Vaughan and finished by Jono Trowsdale for a 2-1 half-time lead.

After spurning several openings, York were caught by a counter-raid for Doncaster to level.

York pressed fiercely for a leveller but ten minutes from time Doncaster snatched the points from a cruel deflection.

City of York IV posted their 13th straight division three win by beating hosts Leeds 5-1.

Joel Wilson and Greg Sykes each bagged two-goal hauls with Ben Mould also on target.

Second-half power was finally turned into goals by City of York V to topple York University 2-0 in division four north. Ollie Sander - son scored from a short corner with George Good prevailing in a one-on-one duel with the keeper.

Despite heroics from keeper Gordon Moore, City of York VI were beaten 6-0 by runaway division five north leaders Driffield.

In the same division City of York VII edged past Tadcaster Magnets II 2-1, countering from a lone goal deficit to grab the points.

The deficit was extended into the second half before John Doran levelled from a short corner. The winner was claimed by Matt Besford finishing off a goalmouth scramble.

City of York VIII had only a Jon Moulam goal to show for their division six north trip to Driffield III, who won 6-1.

Back in action for the first time in 2015, the City of York Badgers development side rallied from the concession of an early goal against Bingley to rack up a solid 8-3 success.

Cameron Mackay struck four goals, Robert Bradley-Consitt notched a hat-trick and the opener went to Zack Pierson.

Among the solid performers was Cara Mackay, who capped her debut in goal with some great stops, not least a deflection off her dad’s stick.

York Press:

UNDER PRESSURE: City of York men's first team's Alex Cockram steers the ball through Neston defenders

DOUBLE-HEADER dismay greeted City of York Ladies first team, who perished 2-1 twice in the
North League premier division.

Their first loss was at home to Doncaster I, who forged into a 2-0 lead before half-time. Hannah Lawrence crowned her debut with a goal to halve the arrears but further pressure found no reward.

New goalkeeper Liz Furber also impressed. Less than 24 hours later York fell by the same score at Sheffield Hallam.

The hosts nicked an opener shortly before half-time only for York to dominate the early exchanges of the second half with Holly Millar and Lorna Harris shining in midfield.

Katie Birch levelled with a penalty, but shortly after a lapse of concentration let in Sheffield for a winner.

City of York II beat hosts Leeds II 4-0 in the Yorkshire League premier division with the haul shared by Lauren Elwood (2), Sarah Holmes and Tasmine Collingridge.

The ladies IV ranks also triumphed seeing off Bradford I 3-1 in division four thanks to goals from Liz Armitage, Lynn Bowes and Ginette Skelton.

Two goals from Lily Rowntree could not stave a 3-2 defeat for City of York VI at Halifax IV in division seven north.

A superb team display underpinned a 5-0 win at Wilmslow for the City of York over-35s team in
the National Trophy.

Chris Giles and Jo Clayton, the latter from a penalty flick, fired York 2-0 up at half-time. The second round win was confirmed after the break, by goals from Giles, Jo Skelton and Jill Freeman.

ACOMB men’s I opened 2015 with a 3-1 win at Boston Spa II in Yorkshire Hockey League division four north.

The Tangerines took the lead on 20 minutes, Stuart Baxter slotting home a penalty corner. Within a couple of minutes the lead was doubled when Pete Hilton found Dave Richardson, who beat the keeper.

The second half started with Hilton rounding the keeper to score the third before Boston Spa’s lone consolation two minutes from time.

The Tangerines’ also triumphed, edging Ben Rhydding V 3-2 in division five north. Martin Grainge made two important saves early in the first half while skipper Jonny Brown notched a decisive hat-trick.

Acomb ladies drew 2-2 with Pudsey in Yorkshire League division two. Hannah Yoward and Kerry Woods netted for Acomb, but they were twice pegged back. Becci Flower was the Tangerines player of the match.