A MONTH-LONG break did not serve Acomb HC men’s first team well as they lost 3-1 to Lincoln II on the return to Yorkshire League division three duty.

An initially cautious approach kept Lincoln at bay until midway through the first half.

However, within minutes Acomb levelled through Matt Dickenson who combined well with Pete Hilton to finish off a slick move.

Just before half-time, Lincoln restored their lead.

Acomb pushed forward in the second half, with David Bell keeping things tight at the back, but despite stern pressure could not break through, while Lincoln added a flattering third goal in the final exchanges.

Trailing 2-0 and 4-1, Acomb men’s II showed admirable spirit against York University III, but the students held out for a 5-4 division seven north victory.

A deflection gave York Uni the lead, which was doubled soon after.

Close to half-time, Acomb’s Chris Tetley responded to halve the arrears.

York Uni scored a further two goals and things looked bleak until Acomb skipper Paul Yoward narrowed the lead with a suprise move from the halfway line.

Uni again netted, but Acomb’s Harry Ellis took centre stage.

He lifted the ball expertly into the net and was unlucky not to get another as a shot slapped against an upright.

With ten minutes to go Ellis did bag a second, and when York Uni’s ’keeper was then yellow carded hopes rose of a leveller only for the students to see out the game with a brand of persistent possession.