NEW club captain Sean Newton is targeting silverware at the end of term ahead of York City's National League North opener tomorrow evening.

Wearing the armband for the first competitive match of the campaign, the left-sided centre-back led by example at Warrington Rylands on Saturday, scoring the only goal to see York through to the third qualifying round.

Liverpool-born Newton admitted it was not City’s finest 90 minutes - and, conversely, spoke very highly of the Step 5 hosts - but says the Minstermen will take the win and the clean sheet into Tuesday's home game against Chorley (7.45pm).

On receiving the captaincy, Newton said: “I’m delighted.

“I’ve been with the gaffer over 18 months and he’s got me playing my best football, got me enjoying it, getting the best out of me and I think maybe that’s why he’s rewarded me.

“I just hope to keep my performances as high as they were last year and lift that trophy at the end of the season.”

The 32-year-old free kick specialist netted the only goal of the game five minutes before the break. He had already had one top-corner effort well saved by keeper Graeme McCall earlier in the half, but after Gary Kenny brought down Jake Cassidy in a central position 19 yards out, Newton buried the free kick.

On a wet afternoon in the North West, Rylands gave York a torrid time, and came inches from getting back on level terms when Andy Scarisbrick struck the outside of Pete Jameson’s left-hand post from a penalty, with the shot-stopper diving the wrong way.

“You see teams on our level go and beat League teams. It’s what happens, it’s why everyone loves the Cup,” Newton commented.

“The main thing was, no matter what, just get through the game with the win.

“We’ve done it, and kept a clean sheet, although we were lucky to.

“We’ll just take that into Tuesday.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game,” he continued. “It’s local for me so I knew all about them. A team full of Scousers will always give their all.

“You could see it today. They were brilliant to be fair. You could see what the game meant to them - it was probably their FA Cup final.

“It was unbelievable from them. I can’t speak highly enough of them. They never stopped from minute one to the end, they just kept going.

“The last 15 minutes, they had about seven up front.

“For us it was a tough game.

“(The pitch) didn’t help but it’s no excuse for a poor second half.

“First half, we were okay, but there’s no excuse for how we played on the ball second half.

“Some of us were just kicking it when we had time, but that was the pressure they were putting on us.”

Following a national rise in coronavirus cases, fans’ return to ‘elite’ football stadia has been delayed, in turn casting doubt over whether the National League North would recommence.

However, the confirmation of a government grant has got the season back on track, and Newton is pleased to hear it.

“It’s been so up-and-down,” he said. “Even coming back to pre-season, is it going to start, is it not? Then no fans are allowed, then there’s a good chance it’s not (going to start), then the Government’s given us some funding to get it going.

“It’s brilliant, especially for full-time players. At the end of the day, it’s your only income. You do panic.

“It has been tough but the gaffer’s done well to help us forget about that, to get as fit as we can.”