York City U19s ended 2025 in defeat on Wednesday afternoon, losing 4-2 away at Blyth Spartans despite a spirited second-half fightback.
Two changes were made from the last league outing, with Ben Farrar and Michael Kydd coming into the side for Donny Day and Greg Baker.
Only a minute had passed when City defender Lewis Beadle was forced to head a looping cross off the line to prevent an early opener. Blyth clipped the crossbar soon after with a deep ball from the right as the hosts made a strong start.
Spartans took the lead following a turnover in defence. Lucas Russell was caught in possession, allowing the Blyth attacker to lift a clever lob over Cam White for 1-0.
Beadle again came to City’s rescue midway through the half, blocking a fierce effort over the bar, before White gathered a bouncing strike from the angle.
We created our first real opportunity in the 20th minute when Eddie Kettlewell had two scuffed close-range efforts blocked.
Next, Ethan Stiver played a fantastic crossfield ball towards the back post, but Josh Binns fired over.
Stiver himself had the following opportunity, arriving inside the box after Farrar squared it across, but the number eight couldn’t bring it under control and hit the side netting.
Ollie Belleh was next to notch an attempt, heading into the arms of the goalkeeper.
Five minutes before the break, Blyth doubled their advantage, a low strike from the left of the box finding the bottom corner at the near post.
City began the second period positively. Farrar denied at point-blank range, and a corner from the right grazed the bar.
In the 61st minute, White did well to race off his line and palm a low shot around the post. Shortly after, he was forced into another excellent stop, denying a thunderous effort.
York went close again when Kydd rattled the crossbar, the rebound falling kindly to a red shirt, but the follow-up was saved.
Farrar broke through one-on-one in the 68th minute, only to see his low drive stopped by the Blyth goalkeeper.
The resulting corner finally saw City convert. Stiver’s brilliant delivery into the mixer was powered home by Beadle, halving the deficit.
Five minutes later, Stiver put an almost identical delivery into the same area, and this time, substitute Ed Campbell-Baldwin met it, heading in to bring us level – despite protests that the ball had not crossed the line.
Almost immediately, York pushed for a third. A drilled free-kick from Sutton Greening was rifled through bodies, but it was well parried.
After City came within inches of a remarkable turnaround, Blyth restored their lead through a scrappy sequence inside the area.
Not long after, they added a fourth, a header from a corner dropping into the net.
Penalty appeals from Tim Ryan’s side were waved away late on by the referee, but ultimately, the young Minstermen would end the year with an unlucky defeat in Northumberland.
We return to action at home to AFC Fylde on Wednesday 7th January.
York City: White, Kydd, Beadle, Belleh ©, Shaw, Russell (Newall 65’), Kettlewell (Campbell-Baldwin 45’), Stiver, Farrar (Hewson 70’), Greening, Binns (Roberts 60’).
Sub not used: Baker.
