JOE CROSBY netted twice as York Schoolboys Under-13s footballers returned to action with a 5-1 victory over Bradford.

The Minster city squad was depleted by injuries and holidays, with goalkeeper Harry Flatters and defender Will Anderson handed their debuts.

Man of the match Anderson opened the scoring on nine minutes, heading in a Lucas Frankish free-kick.

Through balls from Charlie Jebson King and Charlie Ward were well collected by the Bradford keeper to thwart the York forwards.

Lucas Wilson and Ward combining well, allowing Nick Hutton to release Jebson King, who shot narrowly wide.

York increased their lead on 30 minutes following a flowing move, with the overlapping Nick Hutton's cross picking out Manni De Nobriga to rifle the ball home.

From the restart, York were caught out by Bradford’s only meaningful attack of the first half and conceded from a fine strike from 20 yards which gave keeper Flatters no chance.

At the start of the second half, De Nobriga won the ball in midfield and crossed to Crosby, but hewas denied at point blank range by the excellent Bradford keeper.

Bradford occasionally broke, but the York defence of James Hanson, Ollie Smith, Anderson and Frankish were alert to the danger.

Ten minutes into the second half, Robbie Simpson set up Crosby and his strike from the edge of the area found the back of the net.

Simpson again set up Crosby and he fired in his second goal.

Further efforts from Jebson King and De Nobriga went narrowly wide before York were denied a penalty when striker Crosby was brought down in the area but the referee waved play on.

Simpson wrapped up the victory with a fine right-foot volley.

York U12s were 3-0 winners in the league at Scarborough.

After nearly a month without a game, York were rusty in the early stages but they gradually got on top in a goalless first period.

Liam White and Leo Potts combined to find Declan Racher, who hit a sweet left-foot shot from the left of the penalty area to open the scoring.

York then won their first corner and Racher's delivery was headed in by Harvey Stephenson at the end of the third period.

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YOUNG GUN: Bradford’s James Young slides in to win the ball from York Schoolboys Under-13s player Lucas Wilson, above, left, at the University of York

York were brimming with confidence for the third period and went straight on the attack, with chances from Alex Kemp and Connor Teal.

A cross from the Potts on the right forced a mix-up in the Scarborough defence and a sliced clearance was pounced upon by man of the match Alex Kemp at the far post to put York 3-0 up.

Nathan Storr had to be alert near the end of the game to pull off a save to preserve his clean sheet.