ROBERT Wilkinson School narrowly missed out on lifting the York City Football Club Foundation’s Kinder +Sport Football League Kids Cup for a second successive year.

The Strensall under-11 pupils lost 2-0 in the final to Brackenfield School at Clifton Moor’s PlayFootball venue.

Stan Mills bagged a brace for the Harrogate-based winners, who will now go to represent North Yorkshire and York City in the regional finals at Morecambe Football Club, where they will be bidding for the chance to play at Wembley Stadium.

Brackenfield forged ahead in the final when Mills latched on to a long ball from the back and flicked a shot over advancing Robert Wilkinson keeper Todd Edgar.

Mills was then denied a second by a superb Edgar save after latching on to another clearance.

Chances came and went for Wilkinson with defender Joe Roughly dragging an effort just wide of the post.

But, as their opponents continued to flood forward, Brackenfield countered again and Mills secured victory with a calm finish.

The finalists had earlier topped their respective groups, which also included primary school teams from Easingwold, Le Cateau, Seamer & Irton, Barlby, Norton, Knavesmire and Kildwick.

There were a total of 41 goals on the day with Barlby’s Charlie Dutton scoring a memorable delicate chip.

Final hero Mills, however, claimed the goal of the tournament with a deft flick on the half-turn.