York University sports clubs enjoyed a raft of positives despite a mixed bag of results from a hectic schedule.

Topping this week’s achievements was the men’s football firsts, who are now just two games away from the final of the Northern Conference Cup after beating Huddersfield 3-2.

Against a side two divisions below them, it should have been a comfortable day for captain Conor Brennan’s side.

But initially it seemed anything but as an error from goalkeeper and club president Sam Clitheroe gifted the opener to the visitors.

The underdogs continued to impress with raids on the York goal before the hosts levelled early in the second half with a crisp finish from Phil Taylor.

The same player struck again soon after and the tie was effectively sealed when defender Oscar Lynch got the last touch to a Mark McLeod free-kick.

Huddersfield grabbed a dubious second goal but it was too late to halt York’s advance.

Said Brennan: “We came out second half and dominated. We out-battled them and deserved it.”

York will travel north to face the University of Newcastle firsts in the quarter-final.

The men’s rugby seconds took on an undefeated University of Hull firsts side but found themselves on the wrong end of a 52-5 scoreline.

Another side to suffer defeat were York’s women’s fencers, one of only two York sides who compete in the premier leagues of their respective sport.

Current leaders, the University of Durham, inflicted a resounding 135-67 loss.

The women’s lacrosse side also suffered defeat, losing a tight game 9-8 to the University of Leeds, despite the best efforts of captain Anna Yeomans and Liz Chan.

The women’s hockey second team eked out a 1-1 draw at table-topping Sheffield Hallam thirds.

The share-all was dismaying as York had previously not conceded a goal in the league as their promotion push was momentarily stalled.

There were wins for the squash firsts, who prepared for the upcoming weekend of fourth round BUCS Cup action by toppling league leaders the University of Northumbria 3-2 in a cup-tie.

There was success too for the women’s netballers. Cesca Dessain’s side beat University of Sheffield seconds 33-20 in a thriller.