Hockey: City of York off to a 2012 spree (From York Press)

Hockey: City of York off to a 2012 spree

10:36am Tuesday 24th January 2012 in Hockey

A BRACE of 1-0 wins put the 1-2 into 2012 for City of York men’s 1st XI.

The double whammy of beating Leeds University and then Ben Rhydding 24 hours later not only yielded six points but propelled the York ranks four places after ending the old year lodged at the bottom of the North League premier division.

After initial hesitancy against the students, York soon found their stride, though goalkeeper Jonathan Chappell was in defiant form to thwart Leeds.

In the second half, and inspired by man of match Mike Carter, York kept pressing and Alex Cockram clinically put away a penalty flick.

That win was then repeated at Ben Rhydding, where, in a tight tussle, Cockram went closest to scoring in a blank first half.

But with ten minutes to go, York made the decisive attack which led to Lee Cuffe neatly finding the net.

Now out of the relegation zone, York will next entertain Timperly looking to capitalise on the momentum of the weekend one-two.

Relegation-threatened City of York II pushed Yorkshire League premier division leaders Sheffield Hallam III all the way before losing 5-4.

Visitors York dominated the opening exchanges, taking the lead when good work from Dan Ellwood allowed captain Alex Fletcher to net from the top of the ‘D’.

York doubled their lead when Josh Longster’s one-two with Jack Purrington freed Longster to chip over the advancing ’keeper.

Hallam forced a string of penalty corners before half-time, one of which halved the deficit.

York started the second half brightly and Longster grabbed his second to make it 3-1.

Hallam rallied and pulled a goal back almost immediately and, after some sustained pressure, levelled through a penalty.

Hallam edged in front for the first time before Fletcher slammed home a rebound from a penalty corner to make it 4-4.

But with seconds left Hallam forced a final penalty corner and the ball took several richochets before finding the net.

City of York III lost 6-3 to division one title-chasers Sheffield Hallam IV, but the margin of victory flattered the hosts.

After trailing 3-1, Rob Prentice on target for the hosts, York levelled through Prentice again and Patrick Herriott.

But Sheffield’s superior fitness proved pivotal as they hit three unanswered goals to seal a far from comfortable win.

Slick interplay was at the core of City of York IV’s 2-0 division three win over Leeds University IV.

Alex Lewis, Dom Firth and Tim Lister combined for Greg Sykes to open the scoring.

The lead was doubled when Lewis pounced on a rebound from a Matt Hays’ shot.

In the final quarter, the students hit back but City held out with Barry Legge excelling at left-back.

City of York V were hit by a late leveller to draw 2-2 with Driffield II in division five north.

Down 1-0 at half-time, York equalised when a short corner was dispatched confidently into the bottom corner by Richard Tanner-Smith.

Dan Tompkins made a strong and determined run to fire the hosts ahead, but Driffield snatched parity with a last-minute short corner.

Taking an early lead through Lewis Inman was the best it got for City of York VI, who perished 6-1 to Bradford II in division five north.

Despite a 9-1 deficit against Leeds Adel Carnegie IX, there were several plusses in the new-look City of York VII’s display in their division five north outing.

Several opportunities were created only to be spurned, save for captain Craig Ball’s goal, while there was enough effort to suggest a better second half to the season.

There was a heavy defeat too for City of York VIII, who lost 5-0 at second-placed Harrogate V in division seven north.

Admirable spirit was shown by City of York IX in their division seven north outing to Tadcaster Magnets II.

Within the opening ten minutes they trailed 2-0, but City countered to level before half-time with two fine goals from Andy Dent.

And a skilful second-half move led to skipper Tim Downie flicking the ball over the Tadcaster ’keeper for the winner.

City of York X (Badgers) battled hard against hosts Bradford Badgers before being edged out 1-0.

York ’keeper Tom Starbuck made a couple of fine saves in the first half before being beaten 22 minutes into the second period.