York City's newest goal hero Byron Webster says he is ready to face the reality of life in the first team - criticism and all.

The 17-year-old midfielder notched up his latest career milestone when he opened his senior scoring account with an impressive shot on the turn at Stevenage.

Not a bad way to round off your third consecutive appearance since replacing the injured Chris Brass against Burton Albion, coincidentally City's next opponents in the FA Trophy on Saturday.

He said: "I don't get many goals but I was especially pleased as it was my first senior one as well. It was all right, a good finish.

"Things have been going pretty well. I've been enjoying it and, from what I've read in the Press, the gaffer thinks I've been playing well so as long as I keep consistently playing I should be all right.

"I need to put in a few performances like Lev Yalcin put in for the reserves last night. We are all fighting for a place and that's good competition for the team."

The battle for places has seen a raft of changes to the team sheet in recent weeks with many of Webster's trainee team-mates making way for a more experienced line-up.

But despite the intensity of a situation that has seen caretaker boss Viv Busby fire criticism at some of the younger contingent, the Sherburn-in-Elmet teenager is determined to take it in the spirit in which it is intended.

"There's always going to be negative things said," he shrugged. "It's just a case of take it on the chin and learn. It's a learning curve for a lot of us - even for the older ones - and as long as you learn from your mistakes and the good things as well then you should do all right.

"I don't feel there's any pressure. It's just a good happy club and everyone wants to do well for it, and I think that's shown over the last couple of performances. We know we are in for a fight so everyone's pulling together and trying their best."

He added: "I've learned lots from the likes of Sean Davies, Mike Staley, Bry Stewart, they all help you out. And the older pros as well - Grovesy, KD (Kev Donovan) - they all help out and offer lots of encouragement. That's the main thing with the good team spirit here.

"They said from the start of my apprenticeship that you will get your chances, but it just shows with the young ones that have come through.

"Now my goal is to keep going in the first team, keep getting the performances, and keep my place."

City's reserve game against Notts County next Monday has been postponed because City are due to play Middlesbrough at

Billingham in the North Riding Senior Cup that night. The reserve game has been rearranged for Monday, March 21 (7pm kick-off).

Updated: 11:13 Thursday, January 13, 2005