ALL Saints School pupils Ben Hirst and Joey McCormick were the goal heroes as York and District Under-13s created history by lifting the English Schools’ FA Inter-Association Trophy.

The York youngsters became the first-ever side from the Minster city to bring back English Schools’ silverware to North Yorkshire following a thoroughly-deserved 2-0 victory over Southampton at the 22,000-capacity home of Football League club Milton Keynes Dons.

Hirst struck on 17 minutes to give manager Tony Wales’ men a half-time lead before McCormick confidently stroked home a penalty in the second period to seal victory. An outstanding defensive display, led by centre-backs Liam Neal and Richard de Groot meanwhile, meant the south-coast club were largely limited to hopeful long-range efforts at the other end of the pitch.

Determined York City centre of excellence striker Hirst made his presence felt during the early stages to help his team make a purposeful start to the showcase final.

McCormick, currently on trial with Sheffield United, was also quick to make inroads down the left and provided a ninth-minute volleyed chance for Joe Wales.

An unlucky 13th minute then saw York hit the crossbar twice, through Jake Wright and Hirst, in between two Wales shots which were saved by harassed Saints goalkeeper Callum Stanton, during an amazing scramble sequence.

There was nothing unfortunate about the opening goal though with Matty Mulhearn releasing McCormick down the left.

After cleverly working his way down to the byline, the team’s top scorer then pulled the ball back excellently for Wales, whose shot was saved only for Hirst to smash into an inviting net.

Southampton’s best period of the game came at the end of the first half with Billy McParland dragging an edge-of-the-box effort wide and Adam May’s shot from a similar distance being safely gathered by York ’keeper Charlie Murphy.

Dangerman Sam Jenman, thrown on as a first-half substitute, also powered his way through the left channel to create a headed chance for Charlie Coombs that bounced just wide.

York regained the initiative after the restart, however, doubling their advantage six minutes into the second half.

The impressive Neal, currently on Championship club Middlesbrough’s books, released McCormick down the left.

He then teased a foul out of Southampton’s Keenan New inches inside the box and former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher pointed straight to the spot.

McCormick then calmly converted from 12 yards, sidefooting low to Stanton’s left.

Further attempts from Mulhearn (twice), McCormick, captain Ben Godfrey (twice) and Rob Cooney (twice) saw York go close to extending their lead, while Murphy and substitute stopper Connor Stead were equal to Ben Hull and May efforts for the Saints.

York: Charlie Murphy (Millthorpe); Myles Frodsham (Huntington), Richard de Groot (All Saints), Liam Neal (Archbishop Holgate’s), Matty Mulhearn (Canon Lee); Jake Wright (Millthorpe), Ben Godfrey (Archbishop Holgate’s), Joe Wales (Huntington); Rob Cooney (All Saints), Ben Hirst (All Saints), Joey McCormick (All Saints).

Subs: Matty Parker (Millthorpe) for Cooney, 31; Jonny Ward (Selby) for Frodsham 31; Cooney for Parker 50; Connor Stead (Archbishop Holgate’s) for Murphy 53; Frodsham for Godfrey; Luke Wilkinson (Canon Lee) for Wales 59.

Southampton squad: Callum Stanton, Dylan Gain, Jack Attrill, Billy McParland, Matt Hunt, Keenan New, Ryan Lomax, Adam May, Mitchell Speechley-Price, Kieran Shipp, Charlie Coombs, Jacob Terrell, George Pooley, Ben Hull, Sam Jenman, Kimani Wachai.

Man of the match: Liam Neal.

Vital statistics

Shots on target: York 10, Southampton 4.

Shots off target: York 4, Southampton 5.

Corners: York 4, Southampton 3.

Fouls conceded: York 4, Southampton 6.

Offsides: York 1, Southampton 2.