CITY of York Hockey Club's men's first team were 6-1 winners over Wilmslow in their first home game of the North Men’s League division one season.

After two games, York are behind leaders Leeds II only on goal-difference, but this performance at Huntington Astroturf went some way to cutting the deficit.

Wilmslow looked the more likely to score early on, and sustained pressure culminated in a penalty flick that was saved by keeper Elliot Walker.

Having escaped the scare, York improved, man-of-the-match Alex Lake creating a number of chances.

On the stroke of half-time, an Alex Cockram short corner was deflected in by Jack Purrington, diving in at the far post.

Immediately after the break a stray pass gifted a chance - and a goal - to Wilmslow.

But York showed character to stay focused, and their superior fitness and quality soon told.

Waves of attack from the home side followed and, eventually, two quick-fire goals from Dan Ellwood put them in control.

Captain Anthony Bull scored from a short corner, and was joined by Cockram on the scoresheet.

Pete Newton netted the best goal of the game, firing an upright reverse deflection into the top-left corner from a delicious Tom Feasby ball.

York’s back line, marshalled by Lake, were again excellent.

City of York II fell to a harsh 5-4 defeat in a thriller at Halifax in the Yorkshire League premier division.

York started well, their back four distributing the ball confidently and Richard Chandler making good attacking runs, but Halifax drew first blood.

The lead did not last long, however, as Dan Hyden smashed the ball into the bottom corner from the top of the ‘D’ following good team play.

Halifax soon restored their lead as the visitors lost some composure in the excitement of scoring, before Panos Panayiotopoulos – York’s Cypriot debutant – pegged them back again.

Ben Mould received a green card for a mild stick tackle as Halifax went on to score again, but made amends to equalise with a perfectly-placed drag flick.

York took the lead for the first time through Callum Ross, but a Halifax short corner levelled matters again, before the hosts scored a last-minute winner.

City of York III won 3-0 by default in division two as Hull University conceded.

City of York IV lost 1-0 to Ramgarhia in division two – having two goals disallowed.

Josh de Silva’s effort was chalked off for dangerous play, and James Walker’s strike hit a York foot on its way in.

Christopher Knowles was man of the match.

Division three leaders York V survived a spirited comeback to defeat Huddersfield Dragons 6-4 at home for their second league win - Chris Dutton scoring four.

The hosts opened a three-goal lead through Dutton (2) and Matthew Todd, but Huddersfield netted just before half-time.

The visitors scored two more early in the second half to level but York edged 4-3 ahead through Dutton.

Huddersfield equalised again but Dutton’s sublime lob beat the keeper to put York back on course, and Tony Brimble secured the points.

A dogged City of York VI earned a 2-0 win at Halifax in division four north, thanks to Paul Rowntree and George Trowsdale goals. The man of the match was Laurence Thornton.

In the same division, City of York VII were thrashed 10-0 at Scarborough.

A battling City of York VIII lost 2-1 to Acomb II in division five north, Chris Allerton their scorer. City of York IX and X's matches were called off.