YORK City Knights loanee Kieren Moss has previously played at the 83,500-seater ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

Playing at the 0-seater Fallowfield Park in minus temperatures in deepest Cumbria, therefore, must surely have been a culture shock for the Aussie flier.

But he and the rest of James Ford’s men gave a very professional and at times classy performance to see off game amateurs Askam and breeze into the fourth round of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup.

York notched 12 tries in all in a 64-6 romp, Aussie ace Moss among the scorers while Brad Hey bagged a 15-minute hat-trick in the second half.

Second-row Mike Kelly, winger Judah Mazive and Jake Normington, at centre, all scored debut tries, while former Heworth amateur Liam Jackson’s silky interjections at half-back made him a contender for man of the match on his bow for his hometown pro team.

There were also debuts for props Dan Hawksworth and Rory Dixon, both off the bench.

This had been termed a banana skin tie, with Askam, of National Conference League division two, buoyed by victories over division one York Acorn and premier tier West Hull to reach this stage, and chuffed to get to stage the match at their community club venue.

The early Saturday morning start and freezing weather made worse by a wind chill down the pitch were also not really in York’s favour. Cumbria is not often a happy hunting ground either.

But boss Ford was confident enough to make seven changes to the 17 that were unlucky not to beat Bradford in that big League One opener last week, and his troops duly proved him right - assuming command early on under the guidance of old stager Andy Ellis and keeping it throughout, barring a shaky start to the second period.

The six debutants replaced winger Ben Cockayne, forwards Graeme Horne, Sam Scott and Ronan Dixon, and dual-reg duo Matty Marsh and Will Oakes – who are all probable first-choices when available, even if Ford insisted this was not a weakened team.

Additionally, Harry Carter replaced Will Jubb as interchange hooker and gave an excellent cameo – only to be helped off the field with what looked like a serious leg injury. The tackle that caused it was put on report, though the match was otherwise played in relatively good spirit.

Kelly, so unlucky with injuries at former club Doncaster, also saw his afternoon end early with what looked like a hamstring pull in the cold.

Ford made one positional switch, too, with Moss starting at full-back and number one Ash Robson, below his best last week, on the wing.

Askam, who last reached this stage of the cup in 2001, had some pro nous, not least via boss Dave Clark, the former Barrow and Workington head coach.

Also in their ranks were big prop Jamie Butler, formerly of Barrow, and Kristian Tyson and hooker Sam Dowsett, who have also spent time at Barrow and Workington respectively. Those two, particularly Dowsett, were the pick of the home players.

It was the Sandrats – as Askam are nicknamed – who came closest first as Russ Bolton’s fine run at centre, catching out Normington, created space for Brad Jackson, only the winger could not take the ball.

But the Knights - wearing their new black away shirts - soon took over, Mazive and Robson both being denied before prop Adam Robinson’s strength saw him open the scoring in the 12th minute as the game began to be played predominantly in home territory.

Five minutes later, Jackson – the York & District ARL Player of the Year - underlined his potential when jinking beyond two tackles and putting a try on a plate for prop Chris Siddons.

Jackson glided between defenders again to help create a half-chance, before showing his passing ability with a clever short ball that sent Kelly home on a good angle from close-range.

The fourth try was a cracker that left the defence bamboozled.

Carter’s weaving run set the platform, then interchanges between Connor Robinson, Joe Batchelor and Hey saw Batchelor cross the whitewash, to add to his two against Bradford.

They should have scored again after Tyson fumbled Connor Robinson’s swirling kick in the wind, but it wasn’t long before they did cross once more, and it was another belter.

Batchelor and Hey combined again on the left edge to send Mazive away down the wing and his inch-perfect kick into goal was gobbled up by Moss.

Carter suffered his injury after another good involvement but, on the resumption, York made it 36-0 at half-time – Hey with the ball out of the back door to send Mazive diving into the corner.

The first 10 minutes of the second half belonged to Askam as York’s standards slipped, four penalties helping the hosts too.

Dowsett was to the fore. His high kick had Mazive and Connor Robinson colliding under the ball, before his low kick saw Tom Wilkinson score, Tyson converting.

The Sandrats went close a couple more times before York, with captain Tim Spears and Siddons thrown back on to shore things up in the middle, regained command.

Robson was denied a try as Jackson’s cut-out pass was called forward, but soon enough Normington crashed through, Jackson and Moss again involved.

Then Hey came to the fore with some fine finishing to bring up the half-century.

Excellent handling from Mazive - a sharp take and basketball pass inside - gave him his first opportunity, and Moss sent him in for a straightforward second.

Robson finally got his try eight minutes from time, standing his man up then planting the ball down, before hands too quick for Askam’s defence gave Hey the chance to scythe through for his third.

Joe Porter completed the scoring on the hooter, showing not for the first time he was too strong for the tacklers.

Connor Robinson added eight of 12 conversions, including some crackers from the touchline with the four missed all coming against the wind.