CITY of York Men I stayed within touching distance of the North Hockey League division one summit after a 5-2 win at Neston South Wirral.

York sit third, one point off leaders Leeds II, level on goal-difference.

York opened the scoring through captain Ant Bull following some good saves from the home keeper, but Neston quickly drew level, catching York short at the back.

City were back on top through a Pete Newton deflected effort, and joint man-of-the-match Elliot Walker kept the visitors ahead with a penalty save before fellow star man Tom Feasby made it 3-1 with a powerful reverse shot from a tight angle into the far corner. Feasby then set up Alex Cockram for the fourth.

The game was closer than the scoreline suggested but Cockram doubled his personal tally when finishing off an incisive move, before Neston pulled one back, capitalising on a defensive error.

James Fitton scored a hat-trick as City of York II also posted a 5-2 win, at home to Boston Spa in the Yorkshire League premier division.

Patrick Herriott broke the deadlock from a short corner routine 15 minutes in and, while Boston Spa had a number of good chances, City doubled their lead as Fitton’s bullet effort found the top corner.

He added his second minutes later from a short corner, initially miss-controlling but getting a shot away which crept over the line.

The visitors came into the second half fired up, and the pressure they exerted in the opening five minutes was rewarded with a goal.

Richard Chandler’s strike after a great passing move restored York’s three-goal cushion, the game staying well balanced until Boston got another goal from a back-post tap-in.

With seconds remaining, Fitton completed his hat-trick.

City of York Men III, without a win since the second game of the division one season, lost 3-1 at home to Leeds IV.

City of York IV lost 2-1 against fellow division two strugglers Airedale, continuing their search for their first points of the campaign.

Bryce Tuckett opened the scoring from the top of the ‘D’, doubling his goal tally for the season, and nearly scored again soon after, his shot hitting a post.

Airedale were strong on the counter, but a combination of good saves from keeper Brian Ignjatovic and solid defending ensured the visitors went into the break one goal up.

Due to the hosts’ good pressing, a half-time decision was made to pull the energetic Andrew Thomson out of the middle and into right-half to shore up the defence.

However, Airedale were not to be denied, eventually finding the equaliser from a short corner and, despite York’s best efforts, scoring the winner with 10 minutes to go following more short corners.

Ignjatovic was York's man of the match for his numerous top saves.