Snack-attack York City's kids had Manchester United's stars on the menu before devouring another FA Youth Cup scalp.

Scorers: Michael Dibie, left, and Richard Whitfield

In an amazing mix-up the City tyros chomped their way through a pre-match meal destined for United's international brigade at a Midlands hotel.

City's youngsters were en route to their FA Youth Cup third round tie at Stoke City.

At the same time United's reserves, including internationals Phil and Gary Neville, Ole-Gunner Solskjaer, Jordi Cruyff and former City hot-shots Jonathan Greening and Nick Culkin, were journeying to Aston Villa for a Pontin's League game.

City arrived at the Post House Hotel near Stoke, where the City seniors customarily stay. Youth coach Paul Stancliffe went to reception and said City were here for their meal, the York party then being shown to the restaurant.

The usual pre-match nosh of beans, toast, juice and scrambled eggs were then delivered to be followed by rather up-market fare.

Explained City's head of youth development Adie Shaw: "Some jacket potatoes arrived and we thought okay. Then, about ten portions of boiled chicken came through, followed by boiled fish.

"I went up to the woman and said are you sure you've got the right team? She said 'yes' and I said we normally just have beans, eggs and toast, so I said thanks very much."

A few minutes after City lapped up the meal the same woman appeared to say there was a slight problem. "She said another team had arrived. It was Manchester United," said Shaw.

"I said well there's nothing we can do about it now, so we went to our original hotel (the Moat House) to pay the bill there for the meal we did not have."

The food for the gods, or rather the stars of United, obviously did the trick for the City youngsters. In a solid display they walloped hosts Stoke 3-0 at the Britannia Stadium.

It was their third successive away win following on from triumphs at Burscough and Wigan Athletic and pitches them into a fourth round excursion to Ipswich Town before the end of the month.

A stunning goal from striker Michael Dibie, who ran half the length of the pitch before scoring, set City up just before half-time.Dibie was on target again with another rapier strike ten minutes into the second-half, the victory sealed by a late goal from substitute Richard Whitfield.

Enthused Shaw: "It was a great all-round team performance with John Fielding and Peter Batchelor outstanding at the back for us.

And of course, there was the hotel meal. I think we'll all be able to dine out on that story for a lot of years to come."

City's table-noshing 'conquest' of United must have rebounded on Pontin's hosts Aston Villa. The Old Trafford side demolished Villa 5-1.

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