YORK & District Schoolboys Under-13s were beaten 5-2 by their Bradford counterparts in their Schoolboys League encounter.

Played at Bradford Park Avenue's Horsfall Stadium, the scoreline belied the quality of the game in what was York's first league fixture for almost a month.

This was some of the best football the York boys have played this season, but their defensive frailties are still there and cost them the game.

It was a very evenly-matched game, despite the final score, and York will feel disappointed they were not ahead on the scoreboard at half-time spurning a number of chances when they were well on top.

The opening minutes belonged to Bradford and, as York failed to clear their lines, they capitalised on missed clearances and indecisiveness at the back to score the first goal of the game.

Straight from the restart, York settled down and began to dominate. Miles Merer, Harry Clarkson and Micah Douglas controlled possession in midfield, shifting the ball from side to side as they probed for the right pass.

On the wings Oliver Boast and Ewan Daly created a number of goalscoring opportunities, with Boast hitting a post.

Playing through the middle up front, Olaf Gorczyczweski unleashed a great shot which also hit a post.

The goal felt like it was coming, and it was not long before Edward Shakeshaft scored with a looping shot within minutes of his introduction to give York a fully deserved equaliser.

Boast continued to terrorise the Bradford defence with the midfield trio of Douglas, Merer and Clarkson playing a number of incisive through balls.

The once shaky York defence regained their composure. Ben Alder in goal was quick off his line and distributing the ball well, while full-backs Lucas Matthews and Ewan Waddington tackled and linked up well with their team-mates. In central defence, Harley Waddington was commanding and Charlie Goodwin’s pace and reading of the game meant that York were always on the front foot.

After the restart, Bradford changed their shape to two up front, and they put York under more pressure. Hesitation again at the back allowed Bradford in for their second goal.

Douglas jinked his way into the box and forced a great save from the Bradford keeper but the more York pushed, the more they left themselves exposed at the back and were caught again to go 3-1 down.

Boast scored an excellent free kick with 20 minutes to go to get York back into it but Bradford finished the stronger as more defensive hesitancy, then a mix-up from a short goal kick, allowed the hosts to net twice more.

York U15s signed off the year in fantastic flowing fashion, running out 15-1 winners at Leeds in a friendly.

There were hat-tricks for Dom Weston, Adam Nganga and Cameron Wakerly, while Jack Cottam hit a brace.

Rory Thornton, Enzo Nunnari, Joe Meek and Ben Garbutt-Smith completed the scoring.