YORK Under-15s signed off their schoolboy football careers with a 2-0 defeat at Barnsley in the Yorkshire League semi-finals.

The game was played at a high tempo with Barnsley having the best of the early encounters as York struggled to get into the game.

York ’keeper Rory Watson kept the home side at bay, but eventually the pressure told as a swift break down the right ended with Barnsley taking a deserved lead.

York got into their stride and James Hudson and Tom Hawksby created a couple of half-chances.

At 1-0 down at half-time, York were still in the game and James Kilmartin headed over from an excellent James Green cross. York switched ’keepers in the second half and Josh Archer played superbly until he was forced off through injury.

York continued to press for an equaliser to take the game into extra time, but Barnsley scored a second goal after a swift breakaway.

Manager Paul Horsman said: “To get to the semi-final is a great achievement for York Schools and shows the quality of the players we have in the area.

“The under-15 team have constantly played at a high standard over the last five years in one of the toughest age groups.”