YORK College will play at Birmingham City's St Andrews ground after reaching the final of the English Colleges' FA Cup.

The Sim Balk Lane students stunned semi-final hosts Myerscough 7-2 to tee up a meeting at the famous Championship arena against Milton Keynes College on Tuesday, May 4.

A Casey Stewart hat-trick set York on their way to the national final with Connor Gigg, Marcel Chigumira, Fraser Hansen and Paddy Wincie also on the scoresheet.

The achievement marks only the second occasion in the college football development centre's 16-year history that the men's under-19 team have made the final.

In 2010, they were beaten finalists, losing 2-1 to Gateshead at League of Wales side TNS’ stadium.

This time around, Huddersfield New College, Doncaster Rovers Foundation, Thomas Rotherham College and Middlesbrough College were all seen off before the thumping triumph over Myerscough.

The team have also won through to the English Colleges’ League quarter-finals where they play Gatsehead next on April 20.

Such achievements are not going unrecognised by professional clubs either with Alfie Beestin on trial at Barnsley and Romario Vieira Nan invited to train with Leeds United on the same basis.

The college’s women’s team, meanwhile, narrowly missed out on joining the men in Birmingham following a 2-1 extra-time defeat to Accrington & Rossendale in the semi-final.

York College’s football development centre teams are chiefly made up of sport and public services students with all players receiving high-quality sports coaching alongside their full-time education programme.

Many go on to study higher education or embark on careers in coaching and Mark Smith, head of division for sport at the college, said: “The football development centre has played magnificent football this season.

“The men winning 7-2 was a fantastic result and, despite the women losing 2-1 in extra time, the semi-final game was a great and spirited effort, so congratulations go to all players and staff involved.”

Next month’s final will kick off at 11am with the squad travelling down the day before and staying overnight in a Midlands hotel.