FIVE-star Jon Beech went from back to front to fire York College's Football Academy team to glory, writes Dave Stanford.

Beech, 19, from Acomb, a leisure and recreation (advanced) student at the college, normally plays a right-back.

However, with injuries biting, the teenager was moved up front for the first time in his career as York College went head to head with Durham's New College.

And the tactical switch certainly reaped dividends as Beech scored all five goals in the York side's 5-1 win.

Four of his goals came in the first-half.

"He had a poor second-half," joked former York City legend Gordon Staniforth, Academy director at the college. "I thought I was going to have to take him off!"

The result has put the Academy on the verge of honours, moving them up to second place in the British Colleges Sport Centres of Football Excellence League.

The College's position was strengthened in midweek when they beat Tynemouth College, from North Shields, 6-4 in their penultimate league game of the season.

Once again Beech was on target, although this time he scored just once before being substituted at half-time.

The York College side now face a title decider with league leaders Middlesbrough College next week in their final match of the season. If they win the York team can claim the championship.

Updated: 11:18 Saturday, March 16, 2002