A NEWPORT school has reached the semi-final of the prestigious English Schools FA under-19 tournament.

Hartridge High School thumped Hertfordshire School Broxbourne 4-0 at Newport Stadium earning them a semi-final showdown at home with either East Barnet High School from Middlesex or Sussex school Seaford Head.

The Gwent school swept past Broxbourne thanks to a brace from left-winger Matthew Currie and a goal apiece from strike duo Matthew Shearman to reach the last four in an 880-team competition.

Hartridge coach Glyn Jones was absolutely delighted that his side have reached this stage of the well-established tournament, but warned his players: "We haven't achieved anything yet.

"We have to try and go on and win this competition. I am confident that we can do it. "I am ever-so pleased that we have got this far and what is even more pleasing is our style of play. We passed the ball well and created a lot of opportunities. "But we have still got a lot to do in this competition."

Hartridge's football academy, which was set-up in 1998, is to coach youngsters with the aim of getting them ready for competitive Dr Martens Premier League with local side Newport County.

And Jones said even though it was "fantastic" his team are playing well, his ultimate goal was to prepare his players to make the step up to the County first team. "It is great that we are playing well as a team, but the ultimate goal is to prepare players for senior football with Newport County's first team," he said.

On their run to the semi-final, Hartridge have beaten Millfield School 4-3, Ridings High School in Gloucestershire 5-3 and Wessex School of Somerset 2-1 after extra time. The date and time of their semi-final clash will be announced after the winners of the East Barnet and Seaford Head match, which is due to take place later today.

Newport County's youth team play Cardiff City youth in the third round of the Welsh Youth Cup on Monday, March 25 (3pm) at Llanrumney playing fields.

*PICTURED: Newport County's Raith Plant (right)