Hockey: York close in on title with Cockram double

York emerged as 3-2 winners after a tight clash with fourth-placed City of Manchester I at Huntington School.

The home side started with their usual tenacity and were unlucky not to convert two goals at the back post, missing the target by inches.

They took the lead when a second short corner was converted convincingly by Richie Jenkin, but a lapse of concentration allowed Manchester to score on the break.

Just before half-time, skilful interplay between City forwards Alex Cockram and Rob Unsworth allowed Cockram to fire a shot at goal, hitting a Manchester defender on the line.

The resulting penalty flick was confidently finished by Cockram.

York forged further ahead after the break, a swift break allowed Cockram to stride into the opposition circle and fire a ferocious reverse-stick shot past the keeper.

York then looked to take the sting out of the game and kept hold of the ball for long periods, while stand-in keeper Jonathan Doyle was called on to swat away a powerful shot.

Manchester scored a second goal via a short corner in the last few minutes, but York were able to hold on for the win.

City of York II notched their biggest win of the Yorkshire League premier division campaign in beating Old Malton I 7-2.

City took an early lead when a good passing move found Andrew Brewster in the ‘D’, who turned well to fire into the bottom corner.

Ollie Fryer was causing the visitors all sorts of problems and he played a big part in the second goal, when his shot beat the keeper but hit a defender’s foot on the line.

Chris Dutton stepped up to calmly convert from the spot.

Peter Perryman grabbed his first of the season from a penalty corner, but Old Malton then pulled a goal back.

City went 4-1 ahead when Dutton finished into the roof of the net and he then pounced on a loose ball to seal his hat-trick Malton scored a second ten minutes from time, but then tired as Brewster completed his hat-trick with two finishes close in.

The following day the seconds won 3-2 at Boston Spa I to move up to fifth in the table.

Brewster won a penalty corner and Mike Carter confidently converted to put City in front.

Boston Spa quickly levelled but, late in the half, Dutton’s ball inside he ‘D’ found the back of the net via a defender under pressure from Dan Tompkins and Fryer.

Skipper Jonathan Doyle made a good save but Boston Spa levelled from a penalty flick.

City responded by winning another penalty corner, and man of the match Carter scored after the original corner broke down.

Under-strength City of York III were beaten 3-1 at home by Brigg II in their first division two outing since November 15.

Brigg took the lead in the opening five minutes after a defensive error, but some slick one-touch passing saw York advance into the ‘D’ and the final pass found Tim Lister, who was unmarked and slotted home the equaliser.

A Brigg counter attack gave them a 2-1 half-time lead, and they made sure of the points with a 50th- minute goal.

York’s man of the match was Dave Rogers.

Malc Cosey put City of York V ahead at Bingley Bees I in division four north, but the hosts hit back to win 2-1.

City of York VII had a weekend win double in division five north, beating club-mates City of York VI 1-0 on Saturday and then Boston Spa IV 4-2 on Sunday.

Lewis Inman and John Doran scored two goals apiece against Boston Spa.

City of York VI completed a miserable weekend when they lost 2-0 at home to Ben Rhydding V on Sunday.

City of York VIII were unable to raise a team for their division six north game with Bradford IV.

PENALTY PUSH: City of York I's Alex Cockram scores from a penalty flick

CITY of York ladies I pulled clear of the North Hockey League premier division relegation zone with a 1-0 win at Didsbury Northern I.

The firsts are in sixth place in the table with two games remaining, although the majority of teams below them have games in hand.

York got off to a fine start at Didsbury but had to wait until the end of the first half to take the lead, with a quick pass from the top of the circle being finished off by Annabel Lee.

Didsbury were thwarted by a solid York defence after the break, while the visitors were denied a second when Laura Horne’s shot narrowly cleared the bar.

Five minutes from time, Lou Raper cleared off the line to safeguard York’s three points.

City of York Ladies II were 1-0 winners over Airedale I in the Yorkshire League premier division thanks to a goal from Tamsine Collingridge.

City of York III drew 1-1 at Huddersfield Dragons II in division two.

Lucy Lawrence and Emily Cooper worked well in defence, while the forward line of Fay Chapman, Alice Birchall and Rebecca Kearney kept the pressure on.

Midfielder Sarah Lawrence gave York the lead, but Huddersfield levelled. Faith Civico was player of the match.

City of York IV were 7-0 winners at home to Huddersfield I in division four. There were two goals apiece for Lynn Bowes, Ginette Skelton and Rachel Witherick, plus one for Liz Armitage.

City of York V were 4-0 winners over their sixth-team in division seven north. The fifths were 1-0 up at half-time thanks to Caitlin Rore and they added two goals from Charlotte Mattock and a late strike by Ilona Berriman.

A FIRST-HALF blitz earned Acomb men’s I a 3-0 victory over promotion rivals Bradford II in Yorkshire Hockey League division four north.

Led by joint men of the match Paul Kellett and Jamie Robinson, the Tangerines started strongly and attack after attack created a three-goal cushion by half-time.

Ryan Foster opened the scoring after ten minutes with a reverse-stick finish from close range, and Matthew Dickinson made it two shortly afterwards.

A sharp save by keeper Craig Brown kept Bradford at bay and Dickinson made it three with a powerful flick from a short corner just before half-time.

In division five north, Acomb II drew 1-1 at home to Huddersfield Dragons IV.

The first half was a stalemate, with Acomb having a couple of half chances from short corners.

Huddersfield fired in a shot from just outside the 25 which found its way in at the near post 15 minutes into the second period.

Acomb responded two minutes later when, from a short corner, Phil Monk deflected in Johnny Brown’s power shot.

Acomb ladies are fifth in Yorkshire League division two after a 4-2 win at Wakefield Wanderers I.