YORK’S youngsters kicked off their schoolboy football campaigns with a series of mixed results.

The five teams – ranging from under-11s to U15s – recorded three wins and two losses against sides from the East Riding and Spen Valley.

The U14s produced the top performance, winning 3-1 away against a strong East Riding team.

Captain Liam Neal’s header was well saved by the East Riding ’keeper in the first half, but the game really came alive in the second half.

York striker Joey McCormick had a goal disallowed after he was ordered to re-take a free-kick which had sailed in at the first attempt.

The second free-kick missed the target, but it was McCormick who finally broke the deadlock as he slotted past the advancing ’keeper.

A well-taken direct free-kick saw the home side draw level and set up a frantic finish.

With five minutes remaining, the tireless Ben Hirst capped a fine York move by tapping in from close range.

Then debutant Niall Coulthard let fly from 20 yards and the ’keeper could only parry the drive, leaving McCormick to tap in.

Manager Tony Wales was delighted with his team’s performance against strong opposition.

The York U12s were 4-1 winners over Spen Valley.

York went ahead through a 20-yard Finn Coughlan strike, but they were pegged back by a long-range effort from the visitors.

Don Chimalilo scored just before half-time to grab the advantage, and man of the match Marcus Heigh scored a fine brace to make the game safe.

York U13s also won 4-1, against East Riding. George Brown and Lewis Ducey showed what a formidable strike partnership they will be this season with two goals apiece against strong opposition.

A man of the match winnning display from defender Jamie Spaven allowed midfielders Sam Drake and Elliott Fenton to dominate the game and support their prolific strikers.

The city’s U15s side went down 4-2 to East Riding.

York started brightly and went ahead as Dylan Howlett fired high into the roof of the net.

However, the early optimism was destroyed by four East Riding goals scored either side of half-time.

Man of the match Tom Gore scored a late goal, but the U15s were unable to make up the two-goal deficit.

Manager Andrew Swires was positive in defeat and said the early setback “will not dent confidence”.

The side look to bounce back against Barnsley today.

The York U11s lost 4-2 to East Riding having led 2-0 at half-time through Joseph Allerton and Reece Botterill.

In the second half, ’keeper Harvey Lumb came under constant pressure as East Riding hit back.

York’s man of the match was Dan Hartley.