A YOUTHFUL City team took an absolute pounding at National League new boys Harrogate this afternoon.

Harrogate fielded a virtual full-strength side as they prepare for the club's first season in the National League - and chalked up a crushing 7-2 win.

Six of those came in the first half in a contest that was over before it began.

Tyrell Robinson was in the City starting line-up along with Omari Patrick and Danny Devine - who captained the team at right back.

Trialist Luca Colville, who scored a 35-yard screamer against Park Avenue on Wednesday, started again.

But Harrogate bossed it from the off and took a fifth-minute lead when last season's top scorer Dominic Knowles got the decisive touch on a knockdown from on-loan Leeds defender Liam Kitching.

Harrogate doubled the lead on 17 minutes as Jack Emmett lobbed George Sykes-Kenworthy, who clattered into him as he rushed out of his goal.

Things went from bad to worse for City as Emmett slammed his second from the edge of the area at the mid-point of the first half.

Harrogate continued to turn the screw and Jack Muldoon, a summer signing from AFC Fylde, made it 4-0 after 31 minutes.

Knowles and Aaron Williams scored identical tap-in finishes as Harrogate rattled up six before the break.

Devine had already gone off after earlier treatment for a knock and Patrick was subbed just before the end of a humiliating half.

City offered some resistance after the break and pulled one back just before the hour as Tom Clare slid in a low cross from Robinson.

And Clare grabbed his second after 66 minutes when he charged down keeper James Belshaw's clearance.

But Harrogate stretched their lead to 7-2 nine minutes later with a second from Williams.

CITY (4-2-3-1): Sykes-Kenworthy, Devine (Gunner 36), Hefele, Isherwood, Wood, Colville, Peters, Patrick (Powell 40), Hudson, Robinson, Clare (Bruenker 76). Subs: Basic, Darke.