JORDAN Holt and Jacob Gore each bagged a brace as York Under 12 Schoolboy footballers came back from a dreadful opening to beat Gateshead 4-3.

York fell behind in the first minute and went two down shortly afterwards but they then got a grip as Gore fired one back from close range and, as half-time loomed, converted a penalty to equalise.

York dominated after the restart and, following great work in midfield by Jules Gabbiadini and Charlie Binns, the ball was laid through for Holt on the left to fire them ahead. The same player made it 4-2 and York thereafter peppered the Gateshead goal, with Gabbiadini going close with a long-ranger while man of the match Jack Wickham came close several times before slack defending gave Gateshead a consolation.

A lack of concentration nearly cost York U11 Schoolboys as they held out for a 5-4 win over Gateshead.

Dan Wilson opened the scoring from close range before Paul Winterburn again showed why he is one of York schoolboys' best strikers of the ball as he made it 2-0 from just inside the box.

Jack Littlechild was rewarded for his endeavour when the 'keeper misjudged his shot to make it 3-0 at half time.

Lewis Rhodes chipped the 'keeper to put York four up but a dip in concentration let Gateshead in with three quick goals. Josh Stilgoe restored a two-goal cushion and York held out despite Gateshead netting a fourth.

Veteran referee Lol Cussons, 77 next week, was the man in the middle as York U14 Schoolboys put four past Sheffield.

York raced into a 3-0 half-time lead after a brace by Marco Shepherd and a York schools' first for Danny Crates.

Sheffield showed their steel in a more competitive second period but another schools first goal for Lee Bond capped a great 4-0 win in which Adam Scorefield and George Riley were the men of the match.

York Schoolboys also passed on congratulations to Cussons, who received a special award for his contribution to football earlier in the week.

York U15 Schoolboys were unlucky to lose 2-1 to Sheffield, with the visiting manager saying a draw would have been a fitting result.

The league clash came just three weeks after the English Schools FA Cup tie between the sides, which Sheffield, one of the strongest side in the North, also won.

The Sheffield 'keeper denied James Newnham and Chris Derrick but the visitors' pace in attack kept York on their toes and midway through the first half they broke clear to go ahead.

The hosts started the second half as they ended the first and got a reward when, from an inswinging Tom Wilson free-kick, a defender's miscued clearance struck the bar with Newnham following up to score.

Sheffield were then on the ropes for 20 minutes but York could not convert and in the final quarter a long throw-in at the other end fell kindly to a Sheffield midfielder who fired home.

The U15s' next game is at home to Rotherham at York RI on November 12. Players selected will be contacted early that week.

SATURDAY'S SQUADS

U12s (at Nottingham) from: George Catling, Matt Yeoman, Alex Dale, Tom Kite, Jordan Holt, Charlie Binns, Jacob McCormick, Luke Quontock, Jacob Gore, Jack Wickham, Aaron Hudson, Jules Gabbiadini, Andrew Simpson. Contact Matt Gore on 07767 224460 to confirm availability and seats needed on coach. Seats are on a first come, first served basis. Meet 7.45am at McDonalds on A64.

U11s (at Nottingham) from: J Hall, J Ryder, J Poulter, E Frodsham, L Jackson, P Winterburn, T Allen (capt), J Stilgoe, J Littlechild, D Wilson, L Rhodes, A Taylor, J Robinson, H McMillan, S Evans, P Evans. Meet at McDonalds on A64 at 7.45am. Spare coach seats can be booked by parents on a first come, first served basis by calling Ian Hutchinson on 07976 987224. All seats £5 each.

Updated: 11:45 Wednesday, November 02, 2005