FOURTH-PLACED City of York men’s II made it seven wins from ten games in 2015 with a 3-1 win at Bradford I in the Yorkshire Hockey League premier division.
City endured a poor first half by their recent standards and trailed at the break, despite Robbie Unsworth causing the home defence trouble with his pace.
He was denied by the Bradford skipper and keeper, while at the other end of the pitch a home forward found space at the top of the ‘D’, turned and fired a reverse stick effort into the bottom corner.
City almost equalised soon after, but Richard Chandler’s shot was brilliant tipped over on the line by a defender’s stick with the keeper beaten.
The equaliser came when Chris Dutton touched home Tim Lister’s shot following a penalty corner routine.
City were soon in front when a great passing move found Andrew Brewster free at the back post with the goal at his mercy, and Lister was on hand to force the ball home.
Dutton was denied by a great double save, before the lead was extended when another strong run from Unsworth found Brewster free in front of goal and he netted.
City saw out the game well, led by a magnificent defensive display from man of the match Will Sorby.
City of York III were 3-1 winners at home to Worksop I in division two.
Alex Herriott converted a short corner to put the hosts in front only for Worksop to level late in the first half.
A quarter of the way into the second half, man of the match Herriott struck again firing in a rebound after a powerful short corner was blocked. The points were sealed when Ben Foster drilled a super shot from the edge of the D into the net.
City of York IV rallied after conceding a comic early goal against Huddersfield Dragons III to win 3-1 in division three.
The York scorers were Ben Mould, Henry Wilson and Greg Sykes.
In division four north, City of York V rounded off their campaign with a 3-2 win at Mirfield I, coming from behind twice.
Will de Silva’s goal ensured parity at half-time and Pat Birch hammered home a short corner for a second equaliser before Andy Richardson slotted home the winner from close range.
City of York VI scored two first-half goals to down Huddersfield Dragons IV 2-0 in division five north. Freddie Vahey and Paul Rowntree were the marksmen, but the result was a poor reflection on York’s total dominance.
In the same division, City of York VII routed Ben Rhydding VI 7-2 with John Doran (3), Mat Besford (2), Sam Wilks and Harry Heyes on target.
City of York VIII were beaten 5-1 by a youthful Bradford IV in division six north.
City were 2-0 down at half-time, but battled on and a fine strike from Nick Crellin reduced the arrears before Bradford added three more goals.
The City of York Badgers development side reversed the previous weekend’s defeat by Airedale with a convincing 3-1 home victory.
An early reverse stick goal from Zack Perryman got York off to a great start. Hamish Broadbent extended the lead, adding his second just before half-time.
York were unable to add any more and Airedale got a consolation.
IN COMMAND: City of York III’s Ben Foster keeps the ball under close control, above, in the 3-1 victory at home to Worksop I in Yorkshire League division two
Summit reached as Acomb harness force
ACOMB Hockey Club men’s I re-invigorated their promotion push with a 4-2 win against fellow promotion rivals Tadcaster Magnets I to go top of Yorkshire division four north.
The Tangerines struck in the first minute from a rebound at a penalty corner by Jamie Robinson.
After having another penalty corner saved, Acomb doubled the lead ten minutes later through a great run by Ryan Forster.
The visitors pulled a goal back after a mistake by keeper Craig Brown before Robinson net - ted his second just before the interval.
Tadcaster had several chances from several penalty corners which were defended soundly by Paul Kellet, David Brown and David Bell until Magnets netted.
But Pete Hilton found an unmarked Robinson to slot home his hat-trick.
Acomb men’s II were edged out 4-3 by Tadcaster Magnets II in division five north.
Always trailing, Acomb looked to have rescued a point with goals from Tom Brown (2) and his brother Jonny. But Magnets bagged a late fourth.
Acomb ladies snatched a share-all with a 3-3 draw at home to Slazengers II in Yorkshire League division two, coming back from 1-0 and 3-1 deficits thanks to an own goal and strikes from Hannah Yoward and Kerry Woods.
Rachel leads way for parity
CITY of York Ladies IV shared a six-goal Yorkshire League division four thriller at Leeds III.
York went ahead through Ginette Skelton to herald a ding-dong tussle in which Leeds then led 2-1 early in the second half.
Back came York through Skelton and Rachel Witherick, the latter notching her 21st goal of the season, to lead 3-2 before to Leeds levelled late on.
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