UP, up and away was the cry from members of York Hockey Club's first team after their victory over Rotherham.

The 3-2 home win ensured York moved comfortably away from the relegation zone in division two of the Northern Premier League.

They were fortunate to go into half-time 1-0 to the good, thanks to a Chris Dutton strike, as a lack of organisation gifted the visitors several excellent chances.

Rotherham did get on top early in the second half when they scored two quick goals.

But a better-organised York soon levelled, through Alex Gutteridge, and took control of the match scoring the winner in the last five minutes.

York goalkeeper James Baughan deserved much of the credit for keeping his side in the match, especially in the first half.

York Trojans I took great delight in gaining revenge for an early season NPL division two defeat by beating Stockton I away 3-2.

Trojans had a slightly depleted squad with several regulars missing and they struggled in the opening exchanges conceding a goal within 10 minutes.

Stockton were determined to make amends for a crushing defeat the week before and had Trojans on the back foot.

Eventually, however, Trojans settled and began to take the game to the hosts who answered the challenge by packing the defence.

Trojans levelled from a short corner when Mark Thirlway hit home.

But Stockton went ahead again when a shot took a deflection into the air and sailed over 'keeper Martin Parrott into the net.

To their credit, Trojans showed plenty of character and did not panic and won a penalty flick for their efforts. Unfortunately, Gawaine Hogg's attempt at levelling not only cleared the bar, but the perimeter fence.

After the interval, Trojans dictated the play and the game became a gutsy battle for supremacy but it was not until 15 minutes from time that Hogg made amends by deflecting an Ian Butler pass into the goal to equalise.

James Flint then caused the Stockton defence all sorts of trouble and his pass found Thirlway unmarked and he scored the winner just 30 seconds before the final whistle.

Unbeaten Pritt Roller Yorkshire League division three leaders Acomb travelled to play bottom side Halifax expecting an easy game following the West Yorkshire team's 7-0 defeat last week at Thirsk.

Instead they were made to battle all the way to record a slender 1-0 victory.

And it was the Tangerine back line that was more involved in the play during the first half with Halifax creating the best chance from a short corner routine which brought a fine save from 'keeper Richard Doughty.

The Halifax crossbar kept out a thunderous shot from Nick Linfoot and the teams swapped ends all square.

After the interval, Acomb pinned Halifax in their half but poor finishing frustrated the visiting attack.

Doughty was called into action again midway through the half and, even though he only touched the ball three times in the match, he kept his side in it.

The Tangerines finally made the breakthrough to preserve their 100 per cent record when captain Stuart Baxter fired home from a short corner.

For the fourth successive week York Trojans II met top four opposition in division three.

The York side were disorganised from the start and quickly went two down against Slazengers.

After the second, Trojans began to fight back and were rewarded when Dave Lake scored from a short corner but the Wakefield team soon restored their two-goal lead.

After the break, Trojans went further behind when another Slazengers break resulted in a goal.

A second goal from Lake, and a determined performance by skipper Steve Prankett, were not enough, however, to pull the York team back into the match and they went down 4-2.

York II were in confident mood for their trip to Sheffield Bankers following last week's victory but quickly discovered the South Yorkshire side were of a higher calibre.

Bankers were swift to put the York defence, weakened through the absence of sweeper Dave Ewing with flu, under pressure and an early goal followed.

Quick defensive reorganisation brought some improvement but York were unable to resist the skill, strength and speed of the Sheffield players.

Repeated attacks brought a succession of goals for Sheffield through set-pieces and open play and the final score was 9-0.

Despite the overwhelming defeat, the York team refused to drop their heads and deserve credit for maintaining a positive attitude throughout.

York III's division four game against Sheffield University was postponed because of the students' exams.

In division five, York Trojans III enjoyed an emphatic 13-0 thrashing of Hull University II.

Trojans fluid style brought first half goals for Mark McKie, Nick Fitton, Jeremy Mackman, John Armstrong, Matthew Pickering and David Lancaster.

After the break there was no let-up for Hull as Pickering, Mackman, Armstrong, and Lancaster scored again and Chris Allerton and Jamie Graham completed the rout.

Acomb II also recorded a big win with a 7-0 victory over Driffield at Oaklands.

Mike Brown, enjoying a new lease of life in the outfield since hanging up his first team goalkeeping kit, hit two, captain Mark Sadler struck one from a short corner and Adrian Nye, man of the match Andy Lovett, Graham Wilson and Dave Bell, with only his second goal for the club, all scored one each.

The game was so one-sided that Acomb 'keeper Steve Church only had a couple of touches.

Division six side Acomb III scored in the first five minutes against Zeneca when Gavin Dickinson struck from a short corner.

Then it was a backs to the wall performance as Zeneca threw everything bar the kitchen sink at Acomb for the rest of the game.

Fortunately 'keeper Russ Marwood was in top form and won the man of the match accolade for his troubles.

Acomb managed to hold on and recorded their second successive win.

Struggling division seven outfit York IV put in an excellent team performance against Hull YPI and dominated throughout playing flowing, attacking hockey.

Mark Briggs opened the scoring for York when he ran the ball from midfield to complete a superb solo goal five minutes before half-time.

York kept up the pressure in the second-half with goals from Malcolm Dutton and Andrew Dent. Andrew Pooley was unlucky to hit the post.

York 'keeper Ian Jaggers was delighted to record his first clean sheet of the season and the victory brings the side level on points with Hull YPI but still at the foot of the table.

York Trojans IV began poorly against Slazengers III and found themselves 3-0 down at half-time.

Dave Jackson pulled one back after the break, however, and Mark Lambert reduced the deficit to one goal.

Towards the end of the game Trojans were down to 10 men for a spell, following a yellow card incident, and it was during this period that Lambert scored his second from a short corner to equalise.

Division eight side York Trojans V could not cope with Tadcaster II and went down 5-0.

Normanby Park were the division eight visitors to York V at Elmpark Way and, after absorbing early pressure, York began to take control but were unable to convert chances.

After a goalless first half, Normanby struck first following the break from a short corner when the ball struck home captain David Nash's stick and looped over the defence and 'keeper.

York continued to press but the visitors were able to break out twice more to lead 3-0. Minutes from time York clawed back a goal from a short corner when the ball was pushed to Nash who fed Rob Burton and he made no mistake.

In a friendly Acomb IV lost 1-0 at Old Malton II.

York Trojans Under-16 Boys were out-gunned in their Yorkshire Cable League fixtures. They lost to Halifax 2-0 and to Chapeltown 2-1, with James Dixon scoring, then they lost 5-0 to Harrogate. Two newcomers who played well were Raymond Janes and Luke Spiers.

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