YORK City boss Colin Walker has admitted that 17-year-old striker Adam Boyes is fighting for a first-team place after scoring his first senior goal at KitKat Crescent last night.

Boyes, who is still only a second-year scholar, bagged City’s opener in an entertaining 2-2 draw against a strong Middlesbrough side and, afterwards, Walker confirmed that the Lingdale-born forward could force himself into the reckoning for the Blue Square Premier curtain-raiser at Crawley Town on August 9.

Middlesbrough are one of a number of Premier League clubs believed to be monitoring the progress of Boyes, who also spent two weeks with Manchester United at the end of last season.

He was joined on the scoresheet by Onome Sodje last night and Walker confessed that strikers’ shirts are up for grabs with Craig Farrell, Richard Brodie also pressing strong claims and summer signing Daniel McBreen set to enter the fray on Tuesday against Barnsley.

The City boss said: “We’ve got a 22-man squad and Adam is part of it. I’m really pleased that he scored and it’s all good for his experience because he did not look out of place.

“Our two centre-forwards in the second half were 20 and 17 which isn’t bad and they both got on the scoresheet which is really good. I’ve not got anything in mind about who starts up there on August 9 because we’ve got four games, three weeks and about 30 training sessions to decide that. It’s the same in other areas.

“I think the spine of the team is a lot better now. There’s massive competition for places everywhere.”

Middlesbrough took a 46th-minute lead in last night’s match when Jonathan Franks converted a cross from England international Stewart Downing.

City then fought back with goals from Boyes and Sodje before David Wheater snatched an 88th-minute equaliser.

Brazilian striker Afonso Alves and former Arsenal forward Jeremie Aliadiere also featured, along with international centre-backs Robert Huth and Emanuel Pogatetz in a strong visitors’ line-up.

About his side’s display, Walker added: “Results don’t matter in pre-season but the punters saw that we tried to play and passed the ball really well in both halves against some very good players. A draw was probably a fair result.

“The whole team worked their socks off and, while there was some sloppy defending, we can work on that.”

Midfielder Steve Hogg missed last night’s game with a thigh problem but is expected to be fit for training on Monday.

Trialist Lee Elam will also meet Walker to discuss his future ahead of City’s next friendly with Barnsley.

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