CITY of York will require a big improvement on their pre-season form when they kick off their Northern Hockey League first division campaign this weekend.

The Clifton Park side warmed up for their curtain-raiser against Cheshire team Deeside Ramblers with heavy friendly defeats against Wakefield and Hull.

On Saturday, York went down 5-1 to Wakefield and were never really in the game, failing to fully apply the game-plan of coach Lee Cuffe.

Wakefield enjoyed some fortune with a series of favourable flick-ons and deflections but finished deserved winners with Stuart Smyth claiming York's lone reply.

A City side lacking leading players lost 6-0 to Hull the next day.

York seconds' game against Lincoln did not take place but the COY III defeated Rotherham seconds 4-1 with Richard Cockram (2) and Graham Cook getting on the scoresheet during a strong second-half performance.

Andy Wilson gave York fourths a half-time lead at Airedale and Greg Sykes and Mark Dransfield also found the net before the home side replied late on in a 3-1 victory.

York fifths, though, were outplayed by an experienced and well-organised Thirsk team, who led 4-0 at the interval.

Lawrence Thornton scored City's goal in a 5-1 defeat from Graham Mackfall's free hit.

York sixths earned a creditable 2-2 draw at Lincoln thirds with several youngsters negotiating the significant transition from Yorkshire League division ten hockey to division five.

The visitors trailed by two goals within 15 minutes but Alex Fletcher struck back before the break and Ed Mackenzie levelled the scores in the second half.

Nathan Sorby then saved a penalty stroke in the dying minutes to secure a share of the spoils.

City sevenths defeated Doncaster sevenths 3-1 in fairly comfortable fashion.

Tim Downie and Simon Bunton were on target in the first half and Doncaster replied just before the interval.

But captain Neil Reader provided a text-book finish after an excellent piece of hockey generated by Bunton to guarantee maximum points in the second half.

York eighths, newly-promoted to division nine and acting as the club's junior development side, made an encouraging start to their season at Wakefield sixths.

Six new youngsters made their senior debuts for the visitors and settled quickly with support from the experienced Gordon Jennings in midfield.

Unfortunately, City lacked firepower and were robbed of a point when Wakefield snatched a 1-0 win in the last few minutes.

York ninths were without a game after Normanby Park cancelled following a clubhouse fire in which much of their equipment was destroyed.