GOALS from Will Jarvis and Josh Hall could not save York City Schoolboy Under-12s from a 4-2 friendly defeat at home to Barnsley.

The Minstermites started the game brightly with Hall’s devastating runs down the right wing creating an opening for himself and another for Jarvis in the very first minute, but the Barnsley keeper saved both shots well.

Midfielders Alex Kemp and Luke Jones were also linking up well with wingers Declan Racher and Hall during the opening exchanges, while the back three of Simeon Hopkinson, Alfie Evans and Liam White were keeping a solid line.

But, having made a good save earlier, York keeper Nathan Storr was beaten on 12 minutes following a Barnsley counter attack.

Hall, Kemp and Jarvis all then had chances before the latter fired York level six minutes later from a pinpoint Racher cross following his great run down the left wing.

York started the second period in the ascendancy with Elliot Oliver and substitute Harvey Stephenson, who was later named man of the match on his debut, dominating midfield and providing the foundation for Jarvis to turn provider and tee up Hall, who drilled just inside the left post to nudge York 2-1 in front on 24 minutes.

With seven minutes left in the second period, the Tykes’ attacker lost his marker and equalised, although Jones was also unlucky to see his 30-yard free-kick skim the top of the crossbar for the hosts.

The third period saw the visitors more dominant, forcing saves from debutant Adam Hunter, while Tom Eaton and Bankole Claudius-Cole had to stand strong to repel further attacks. But Barnsley went on to secure victory with two more goals - the second a header in the dying minutes.