YORK & District Schoolboys Under-13s ended last year on a high with their fifth win on the bounce, beating visiting Leeds 3-0 in the Yorkshire Schoolboys League.

Despite missing several players through illness and injury, York showed the strength in depth of their squad to put in a hard-working, determined and mature performance to match and defeat a very good Leeds team.

The hosts started well against their previously unbeaten West Yorkshire counterparts, passing the ball tidily in midfield and winning a number of early duels with their opponents.

Ben Armitage and Billy Dickinson, employed in the centre of the park, offered vital protection to the York back four, setting the tone early on with a number of strong tackles.

The opening exchanges saw both teams enjoy good passages of play but it was the home side who broke the deadlock midway through the first period when Armitage curled a dipping shot over the Leeds keeper from distance

Shortly afterwards, Ben Garbutt-Smith, looking dangerous on the left side of midfield, broke through the Leeds defence but saw his strike hooked to safety.

It was Leeds' turn to enjoy a spell in the ascendancy and put York under a great deal of pressure, but the defensive unit of Billy Hobson, Jack Redman, Jack Cottam and Seb Holowkiewicz showed they were up to the task against a very mobile Leeds front line.

When the visitors eventually broke through, keeper Jacob Bryant launched himself bravely at the attacker’s feet to win the challenge and grab the ball at the second attempt.

York did not look like a team content to sit back on their lead and soak up pressure in the second half.

Lleyton Brown showed good control on a difficult pitch, creating problems for Leeds with several good runs while Leo Littlewood, Ben Whitehead and Joe Thompson combined well in midfield.

York deservedly extended their lead on 50 minutes. Holowkiewicz's whipped free kick left was not dealt with and the onrushing Brown clipped the ball into the net.

Leeds again came back at York but the defence continued to stand strong and showed how well they can work as a unit. When the ball found its way through to keeper Bryant, his kicking and distribution was accurate and purposeful.

With an hour of the game gone, Leeds did create a good opportunity to pull a goal back following a good run through the middle of the pitch, but failed to hit the target.

And with five minutes left, York wrapped up the victory and the three points. The ball was played up to Harry Fort, whose close control allowed him to turn and chip the ball over the full back and play in the dangerous Garbutt-Smith. His run into the area saw him beat three defenders before slotting home.