NEW-LOOK City of York men's hockey team opened their Northern League premier division season with a 2-2 draw at Sheffield Hallam I.

It was nearly maximum points for York but Hallam grabbed a late equaliser.

Fielding several new young players, including goalkeeper Ashley Walton and John Jenkin, York took time to settle on Hallam's state-of-the-art water-based synthetic pitch.

All the goals came in the second half, Sheffield's opener being cancelled out by James Gilbert to equalise.

Gilbert then deflected the ball past the Sheffield 'keeper to make it 2-1 but with 20 seconds remaining a mistake enabled Hallam to break away and score.

Glyn Brooks-Humphrey and Kevin Shrimpton scored two goals each as City of York II beat Stockton I 4-3 in an NHL division two east thriller.

Shrimpton's stunning strike put York ahead after ten minutes but Stockton, a skilful, but highly verbal side, drew level before half-time despite excellent defending by Rob Anderson.

Stockton got their noses in from after the interval but after Brooks-Humphrey missed a good chance he made amends with a predator's equaliser.

Shrimpton made it 3-2 and Alex Cockram's runs down the right carved open the Stockton defence and he provided the perfect cross for Brooks-Humphrey to net his second goal five minutes from the end.

Despite valiant work by Peter Richardson, Stockton pulled a goal back from a short corner to set up a grandstand finish but York hung on for victory.

Adrian Nye snatched a last-minute winner for York III in their 2-1 win at Gainsborough Roses in Yorkshire League division one.

Gainsborough were denied by two excellent saves by Steve Church before taking the lead and were unlucky to have a second goal disallowed.

From the subsequent 16-yard hit York mounted a quick attack and Matthew Fletcher equalised. Nye then snatched the winner while Richard Cockram enjoyed an good third team debut.

Goals by Andy Wilson and Jamie Tough, a newcomer from Australia, gave City of York IV a 2-1 home win over Slazengers III in division four.

In division five, City of York V were held 2-2 at Doncaster V.

They trailed to an early goal, equalised through Steve Patterson and then went ahead with a Pat Birch strike but the South Yorkshire side levelled when the York defence failed to clear after goalkeeper Dave Horn made a fine save.

Ben Foster scored City of York VI's goal in their 6-1 mauling at Wakefield IV in division seven. Ben Millson had a good game for York.

A heavy defeat was also inflicted on City of York VII by neighbours Old Malton II in division eight.

They crashed 7-3 despite going 2-0 up with a couple of Mark Dransfield goals in the opening five minutes. Les Read netted the other goal for York, who lost three of their defenders just before the start of the season.

Ten goal thriller for Acomb 2nds

MUCH-changed Acomb II came back from defeat last week with a ten-goal thriller at home to Leeds University.

Acomb were never behind with goals in the first half coming from Church, Yoward and Ibbotson with the visitors scoring once.

University reduced the score to 4-3 but Acomb rallied and further efforts from Ibbotson and Church and a solo run by Roberton completed the 6-4 rout.

Acomb I ended their first league encounter with a creditable 1-1 draw at Normanby Park.

The home side scored from a defensive error that left Theaker stranded but with ten minutes to go, a cross from the left was converted by Gray with a reverse strike.

City of York Ladies made a poor start to their North League campaign, losing 5-0 at Whitley Bay.

York competed well until half-time, conceding just one goal. But Whitley Bay, who finished second in the league last season, were much the stronger team in the second-half, and direct play through the middle of the field brought four goals without reply.

City of York Ladies II also struggled at home to Tadcaster in division one of the Yorkshire League, losing 3-1.

Sue Draper scored first for York from a corner but Tadcaster hit back for a 2-1 half-time advantage and Tadcaster made the game safe with their third goal.

In division four, City of York Ladies III drew 1-1 at Slazengers II, Sarah Hughes equalising for York ten minutes from time after Slazengers held a half-time lead.

Nestl Rowntree started their new Costcutter Hockey League campaign on a real low after losing 4-0 to hosts Pickering.

Stamford Bridge Ladies were held 0-0 by Stillington. Kerry Megginson was named as Bridge's player of the match.

Updated: 09:03 Tuesday, October 05, 2004