Two first half goals were enough for City to take all three points in their first outing of 2023.
Both Holly Findlay and Jess Holder got on the scoresheet for the Minsterbelles who complete the league double over Merseyrail.
In the first ten minutes City’s intentions were clear, on the front foot from the off as Findlay almost found Nikki Brown with her low cross before the keeper claimed.
In the eleventh minute Abby Parkin delivered two crosses in quick succession which the home defence scrambled to clear.
Alice Hughes tested the keeper with a well hit free kick which looked to be heading in at the near post with the game still in the first 15 minutes.
A minute later York drew first blood, Findlay with the goal hooking beyond the keeper after finding space in the box behind her marker.
City continued to push beyond the 20-minute mark, an Elisha Hardcastle corner forced the keeper to punch behind.
Holder had her first sighter of the afternoon on the half hour mark, her well hit shot was saved as York looked to double their lead.
Holder was again denied in the 32nd minute, this time the crossbar came to the hosts rescue, a brilliant effort that looked destined for the back of the net came back off the face of the bar.
Just a minute after hitting the bar Holder found the back of the net, a driven effort from distance arrowed into the bottom corner to extend the lead.
York went into the break two to the good with a solid all round first half display.
City continued to push for goals in the second half, Findlay was replaced by Jones in the 56th minute with York turning to the bench for the first time in the game.
In the 57th minute Hughes was again denied by the keeper who continued to keep the hosts in the game.
York came close again in the 65th minute, a driving run down the right got her in behind, her cross almost found Jones in the 18-yard box, the ball then broke for the skipper Brown but she shot over.
The Minsterbelles again attacked down the right to good effect in the 68th minute. Brown showed good skill to get away from the full back, she then picked out Karli Smith who saw her shot deflect wide.
In the 69th and 81st minutes respectively York made their final two changes, Hardcastle was replaced by Anna Bowman before Eve Harriott came on for Abbey Fredericksen.
York then saw the game out in the final ten minutes, quelling any Merseyrail attacks and not quite managing to create any clear-cut openings to increase the lead.
An important three points and a clean sheet for City in the first game of the new year following an extended break from action.
The Minsterbelles return to Haxby Road next Sunday as Middlesbrough are the visitors, kick off 2pm.
Minsterbelles: Sidwell, Parkin, Cattle, Fredericksen (Harriott), Smith, Hughes, Hardcastle (Bowman), Holder, Ash, Brown (c), Findlay (Jones)