YORK & District Under-11 Schoolboys came away from the ESFA Premier League District Finals as runners-up in the Plate after losing on penalties to pre-tournament favourites Liverpool.

The youngsters gave a good account of themselves against seven of the best nine-a-side teams in the country at Liverpool FC's Academy ground, where Wokingham came out overall winners.

York went home after representing their district with great credit and bring to an end a successful season from which Leeds United and Middlesbrough have signed up one squad member each, and Doncaster have signed up two.

In the group stages, York's first test was against Telford, a game in which York dominated but could not force a goal against an outstanding Telford keeper, the game finishing 0-0.

The second game, against eventual losing finalists Newham, York felt the strength and quality of the competition, going down 3-0 as individual errors were punished clinically.

York's confidence seemed to be affected by the nature of this defeat and the subsequent 2-0 defeat to a strong Plymouth team scuppered their chances for a top-four play-off spot.

This was another game where York had the majority of possession and chances but suffered at the hands of a clinical opposition.

After a break in proceedings, York bounced back to win their Plate semi-final play-off against Bexley on penalties following a 2-2 draw.

Such was the strength of the competition, York now found themselves in the play-off final against Liverpool and, despite holding a strong Liverpool outfit to a 1-1 draw in normal time, it was York’s turn this time to lose out on penalties, leaving the York boys runners-up in the Plate.