YORK City Futsal took their unbroken run of wins into a seventh game by beating Loughborough Academy 7-1 at the University of York Sports Arena, writes TOM HARLE.

Hat-tricks from James Briars and Dylan McAvoy put them six points clear at the top of National League North, a lead the Minstermen believe will become unassailable with two more victories.

Briars got his first after seven minutes of the first half when he turned in the rebound from stand-in captain Miguel de Vicente’s powerful volley before England under-19 international McAvoy struck twice in quick succession; pouncing on a defensive error on halfway to make it 3-0.

The visitors had good moments either side of half-time and got their goal 90 seconds after the break following a marking mix-up in the York defence.

Junior Roberti’s side set out to absorb pressure and counter-attack in numbers, a strategy which paid off and saw Briars complete his hat-trick with a long-range effort.

With Loughborough forced to employ a fly keeper tactic, De Vicente clipped into an empty net from practically his own goalline and McAvoy picked off a pass to seal his own treble.

The final result represented a commanding win and was achieved without the services of Robbie Bettson, who was competing for England in the inaugural Home Nations tournament in Cardiff.

Coach Roberti said: “We won the reverse fixture but, with the way that they play, we came prepared to play this game completely differently. We changed the strategy, letting all the action come from them.

“That’s not how we’re used to playing, but it worked. This game was more important to win, than play well, because it was the clash of the league’s top two teams. For the players, the motivation should be to win the title as soon as we can, then focus on the FA Cup.”