York and District Under-12s schools football team missed out on a marvellous double when losing 2-0 to Sheffield in the final of the regional Matthew Dale Cup.

York had already won the league with eight wins and two draws from ten games, a particularly impressive achievement given that the squad had lost five players to Leeds United Academy at the beginning of the year.

But they suffered their first defeat of the season in the final to a strong Sheffield side which had been boosted with Sheffield United Academy players.

Sheffield took an early lead with a bullet header. They also had a penalty but this was saved by York's man of the match, George Catling.

York clawed back into the game and created chances of their own, but were unlucky to go in at the break 1-0 down and almost straight from the restart Sheffield hit them with a sucker punch following sloppy defending.

York tried hard to get back into it and Jacob McCormick saw a shot hit the bar.

Manager Matt Gore said: "The squad has performed exceptionally well and went throughout the league as the only undefeated team, having seen off the likes of Sheffield, Leeds, Nottingham, Leicester, Bradford and Barnsley.

"This has been a superb effort by the full squad. Winning the league and coming runners-up in the cup has exceeded all expectations."

York and District Schools U12s: Jules Gabbiadini, Charlie Binns, Jacob McCormick (all All Saints School) Matty Yeoman, Kieran Flanagan (both Burnholme), Tom Platt (Easingwold), Luke Quantock (Huntington), Jamie Wilstrop, Jordan Holt (both Joseph Rowntree), Tom Kite, Jacob Gore (both Manor), Alex Dale, Andrew Simpson, George Wilson, George Catling (all Millthorpe), Jake Duckworth (Oaklands), Aaron Hudson, Jack Wickham (both Sherburn)

York U12s and their families will celebrate the season at the Marcia, Bishopthorpe on the new date of June 2. Confirm attendance by text to Andy or Leslie McCormick on 07768 448790.

Updated: 11:32 Wednesday, May 17, 2006