A Northallerton College team has reached the quarter-finals of the English Schools FA trophy for the first time ever.

The under 16 team's sparkling cup run continued last week with a 3-1 victory over Northfield school, from Billingham, in a fixture which had been postponed because of the weather.

After the success at the Brompton recreation ground a week last Thursday, Northallerton must travel to West or South Yorkshire or Merseyside in the last eight.

Northfield fielded a tall side, but Northallerton were quicker and took a firm grip on the game.

The breakthrough came after 30 minutes when Sam Vernalls fired in a 30-yard thunderbolt which screamed into the top corner.

Ashley Winn increased the lead ten minutes later with a brilliant individual effort, beating four men before slipping the ball past the keeper.

With the wind behind them, Northfield came more into the game after the interval and, taking advantage of their height, pumped across a series of crosses.

One of these was headed back across goal for a tap-in to make it 2-1 with 20 minutes to go.

Northfield piled on the pressure and almost equalised five minutes later, but they were thwarted by a tremendous save from Dan Hellawell.

With just five minutes left, Northallerton's Dave Cook got on the end of a cross and banged it in to wrap the game up at 3-1.

Team manager Dave Preston said: "To have got this far is a tribute, not only to the lads' footballing skills, but also to their attitude and team work. They are a pleasure to coach."