CITY of York’s under-18s boys were knocked out of the England Hockey Plate at the quarter-final stage after losing 3-0 to a well drilled Neston side.

Neston controlled the game from the off and stretched the York defence with some excellent passing.

Neston scored twice in the opening 18 minutes and it was then always going to be an uphill struggle for York.

After a change in tactics, York began to get to grips with Neston’s high press and began to threaten the goal, but could not beat the ’keeper, who was in good form.

York had a great chance to get back in the game in the second half when a Neston player received a yellow card for a clumsy challenge on half way.

However, despite the numerical advantage, York were unable to apply the finish to some promising moves.

Matt Hayes had perhaps the best chance of the game for the away side when he found himself through one on one with the ’keeper, but he lacked composure under pressure and his shot was saved by the onrushing ’keeper.

As York began to push for late goals, gaps began to appear at the back and Neston took advantage to put the result beyond doubt, despite the best efforts of York ’keeper Nathan Wilson.

Coach Simon Wilson praised the effort of the players. He said: “This was a superb effort against good opposition. The boys did the club proud.”