ALL Saints Roman Catholic School's under-13 team are just four games away from a Villa Park cup final.
The York youngsters have won through to the northern quarter-finals of the Coca-Cola English Schools Cup after a 2-0 victory over Northumberland county runners-up St Cuthbert's from Newcastle.
All Saints are already North Yorkshire champions and, if they win the northern section, they will go on to contest the national semi-finals where the victors will play at Aston Villa's famous Premiership ground on May 27.
With over 40,000 players and 2,600 teams taking part, All Saints have already made impressive progress in the largest schools' football tournament in Europe.
Against St Cuthberts, the York team took the lead through full-back Josh Ferguson, who gathered the ball on an overlap before beating the keeper with an accurate shot.
Michael Hattee - the side's other full back - added a second after a lay-off on the edge of the box by Tom Corner.
Centre-backs Harry Fothergill and Callum Andrew then put in outstanding defensive performances to protect All Saints' lead in the second half.
Sheffield's South Yorkshire champions Handsworth Grange will now travel to York in the northern quarter finals.
Handsworth beat Durham county runners-up Monkwearmouth, from Sunderland, 7-6 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Manor School have won their first ever county football trophy thanks to their Under-14 girls team.
Two goals by Lucy O'Carroll and a Poppy Tatt effort saw Manor secure a 3-1 North Yorkshire final victory over Harrogate's St John Fisher in the final.
Fisher took an early lead which they held at the interval despite strong pressure from Manor forwards Sophie Roman and Chelsey Pickard.
In the second half, Manor's greater possession brought a deserved equaliser by O'Carroll but only after goalkeeper Michaela Shilletto had dived full length to prevent Fisher extending their lead.
Tatt then struck first in extra time and O'Carroll netted her second to clinch victory for the girls team who have made rapid progress during weekly training sessions with parent Paul Horsman.
Updated: 08:38 Wednesday, March 16, 2005
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