York City's baby-faced North Riding Cup final winning team put forward convincing arguments for the continuation of youth and reserve team football at KitKat Crescent last night.

Goals from teenage trio Alex Rhodes, Neale Holmes and Chas Wrigley secured a 3-1 victory over promoted Northern League first division outfit Northallerton Town at KitKat Crescent to mark the end of the 2005/06 season with silverware.

It was also a performance full of promise with Colin Walker's side containing eight trainees from the club's youth programme, which the club have expressed a commitment to keeping despite the withdrawal of £69,000 in funding received over the past two seasons from the Football League, Premier League, FA, PFA and Sport England.

Encouragingly, the young Minstermen looked comfortable and sensible in possession throughout the match against their older and stronger opponents with midfield playmaker Holmes particularly catching the eye, scoring an excellent goal during a tidy display.

City went ahead on nine minutes when Rhodes chased a long ball over the top of the Northallerton defence and drilled a low shot past 'keeper Sam Dobbs.

Northallerton right-back Simon Kasonali then went close with a free kick at the other end before Holmes extended the Minstermen's lead on 23 minutes when Bryan Stewart's cross from the right was only cleared as far as the penalty box.

Holmes took one touch to control the ball before sending an impressive dipping effort into Dobbs' top right-hand corner.

Dave Merris almost added a quick third with a driving 40-yard run into the visitors penalty box and Stewart also saw a low shot fumbled behind at his near post by Dobbs.

City's youngsters were not as dominant during the second period and Northallerton reduced the deficit on 79 minutes when goalkeeper Arran Reid spilled a corner and substitute Craig Skelton found the roof of the net from 15 yards.

Stewart should have replied on 82 minutes but made a hash of his attempted lob after being sent clear on goal by Holmes.

The Minstermen ensured victory four minutes later, however, when a brave run and cross by Nathan Kamara, who colliding into the advertising hoardings and injured himself in the process, led to Wrigley firing into the roof of the net from six yards.

City match facts

North Riding Senior Cup Final

York City 3, Northallerton 1

(at KitKat Crescent)

York City: Arran Reid, Nathan Kamara (Michael Walsh, 87), Darren Hollingsworth, Mark Hotte, David Merris, Bryan Stewart, Byron Webster, Neale Holmes, Anthony Taylor (Danny Phillips, 81), Chas Wrigley (Mark Holt, 90), Alex Rhodes. Subs not used: Andy McWilliams, Liam Shepherd. Goals: Rhodes 9, Holmes 23, Wrigley 86.

Northallerton Town: Sam Dobbs, Simon Kasonali, Dominic Gamble (Craig Skelton, 75), Andrew Swalwell (Dane Wilson, 21), Stuart Jackson, Michael Waller, Graeme Williams, Steven Cochrane, Carl Chillingsworth, Ross Diamond, Karl Charlton (David Cooke, 87). Subs not used: Paul Curry, Paul Burton. Skelton 79.

Referee: P Quinn.

Attendance: 429.

Updated: 10:13 Wednesday, May 03, 2006