YORK City striker Adam Boyes reflected on a “good year” – despite the disappointment of losing the FA Trophy final against Stevenage.

The 18-year-old forward has graduated from the fringes of the reserves to playing under the Wembley arch in a season and he believes City could use the occasion as a springboard to better things next year.

Boyes had a golden chance to give York the lead in the first half – but found Stevenage goalkeeper Chris Day a match for his stinging shot.

“It was straight at him. If it had been in the corner, I don’t think he would have saved it,” he said.

“It has been a good achievement for me, coming from the reserves and then in the side at Wembley. It has been a brilliant weekend. It has just flown by but I just wanted to get a win.”

Boyes, who spent a fortnight at Manchester United last summer, revealed that, in hindsight, it was crucial City scored first.

“The first goal was the one,” he said. “If we had scored first, I think we would probably have gone on and won.”

Despite the disappointment, Boyes still found positives.

“It was a big experience – playing in front of this many people. I am used to playing in front of 3,000,” he said.

“All my family came down so it has been a big day for them as well. It was amazing.

“The atmosphere was brilliant. If we could keep the same squad, and bring a couple more, we could be a decent team next year.

“We have got the youth players and if we get a bit more experience I think we can have a decent push to the play-offs.”