TABLE-TOPPING City of York Ladies came back from a goal down at their university ground to beat Morpeth 3-1 in the North Hockey Women’s League division one.

The teams were evenly matched, but a slow start by York cost them, and Morpeth were soon one goal to the good.

A fantastic reverse hit strike from the home side’s Hannah Smith, however, ensured the teams went into the break level.

York started the second half strongly, and the team skilfully worked the ball deep into Morpeth’s half to achieve a short corner. Loz Peary’s strike from the top of the ‘D’ was tipped in by Vicky Stilton.

Laura Horne rounded off the scoring, following well-executed play down the left flank, to cap a second win in their opening two games.

City of York II lost 6-0 at Ben Rhydding in the Yorkshire League premier division.

City of York III are without a win in two games in division one after losing their derby at home to Acomb I 2-1, the visitors making it two wins from two.

Liz Harrison put Acomb ahead with a penalty after 14 minutes.

York dominated the possession in the first half, but did not really trouble Tangerines keeper Sam Storr other than from set-pieces.

Vick Wrigley and Hannah Yoward posed the home side problems with their pace down the right wing, but, with just over a quarter of an hour remaining, captain – and former Tangerine – Vicky Thornton’s second-half thunderbolt from a penalty corner pulled York back into the game.

Acomb skipper Kerry Woods and midfielder Georgi Wood pushed the visitors forward, though, and they were rewarded with a series of penalty corners, from one of which Yoward struck the winner.

Jacqui Birch was York’s man of the match.

In division four, City of York Ladies IV remain winless after a 3-1 loss at Colne Valley I.

The hosts started strongly, and within 10 minutes, were a goal up. York spent most of the first period camped in their own half, but Colne netted two more before the break.

York came out looking the better side in the second half, Celia Davis directing much of the team’s attacking play.

It was Rachel Hildreth who eventually pulled one back, hitting the ball between the keeper’s legs from a Lucy Tate cross.

York managed to contain the hosts in the second half, but the three first-half goals proved too great a deficit to overcome.

A brace from the returning Rebecca Copperthwaite helped City of York V fight back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw in division four north at home to Thirsk III.

Thirsk were fastest out of the starting blocks, and scored two goals early on.

The hosts regrouped, however, and, following some substitutions, managed to pull a goal back before half-time.

A more attacking display after the break saw York pushing forward more, pressing the opposition higher up the pitch and eventually being rewarded with the equalising goal.

Copperthwaite took the man-of-the-match award for her efforts.

In the same division, City of York VI lost 2-0 at Leeds Adel IV, despite a good showing from the defence and goalkeeper Cara McKay.

City of York VII’s game against Leeds University VI was called off.