Frustrated City of York II crashed 5-2 at Halifax in their Northen Hockey League Division Two East game, their woe compounded by the dismissal of Matt Couttie.

Halifax took the lead in controversial circumstances when they were awarded a free hit on the half-way line. While the umpire was distracted Halifax took a quick free hit from about 15 feet further forward from the spot where the offence occurred.

James Baughan made two fine reflex saves before the ball was scrambled into the net.

After the break City of York dominated and their efforts were rewarded when Mark Little capped a brilliant solo run with a scoring shot.

City then handed an easy chance to Halifax who regained the lead.

Richard Jenkin scored an equaliser but City were at full stretch and conceded a third.

Couttie was yellow-carded and while he was off Halifax banged in two further goals.

Adam Jackson scored a hat-trick as City of York III won 3-1 against Halifax II.

After even opening exchanges York scored through a Jackson penalty.

In the second half he knocked in a cross from the right by Jason Bemrose and after Halifax halved the deficit Jackson completed his triple feat from a short corner.

City of York IV fielded a young team who played superbly to draw 2-2 with an experienced Driffield I side.

Driffield took the lead against the run of play but York equalised after a superb piece of play at the end of which Mike Couttie drove the ball across to Ed Shouksmith to tap in.

Driffield capitalised on poor defensive play to regain the lead but Shouksmith latched on to a ball on the half-way line, weaved his way through the opposition and then hammered the ball home from the crown of the circle.

The last time City of York V played Huddersfield IV they lost 4-1 at home, so to achieve an away draw showed a distinct improvement.

Alan Lynn and Simon Casterton were particularly effective, while goalkeeper Matthew Merrick played with great assurance.

City of York's on-running saga with Sheffield Hallam University continued when City VI's game was cancelled because the students could not raise a team.

City of York VII won 1-0 at Boston Spa III, Neil Reader scoring the decisive goal.

City of York VIII began well in their game with Grimsby II and had the edge in the first half.

The experienced John Harrison in defence and Denis Hootton, imaginative in midfield, starred for York.

After the break Grimsby went ahead, but the tenacious play of Daniel Morrish and newcomer Wayne Stevens thwarted the visitors' attempts to increase the lead.

After having had several good right wing runs Andy Dent turned up at the near post to squeeze home York's deserved equaliser.

Updated: 12:27 Tuesday, December 18, 2001