A local school has made it into the semi-finals of the English Schools FA cup.

Winterbourne International Academy's Under-16 side saw off Lyndon Comprehensive School, from Solihull, in a dramatic extra-time win to secure a place in the final four.

With knowledge of the weather conditions, Winterbourne won the coin toss and decided to play into the wind in the first half hoping that it would favour them in the second.

The game began at lightening quick pace with strong challenges from both teams, however an uncharacteristically nervous start from Winterbourne allowed Lyndon to dominate the opening exchanges.

Twenty minutes into the game a free kick wide on the Winterbourne right gave Lyndon a chance to deliver in to the box. A high hanging free kick eluded everyone and when it was squared back across the box there was a simple tap in for Lyndon.

However, the goal seemed to spur the home team into life. Good play in the middle of the pitch from Sam Bracey and Jon Barlow allowed Jack James and Miles Hatfield to both go close after forcing the Lyndon defence into mistakes.

At half time the message from manager Phil Milton was not to panic and to keep playing simple attacking football. Just five minutes later Jack James, hat trick scorer in the last round, found himself in acres of space after a free kick from Miles Hatfield.

He duly lashed it home to deservedly equalise for the home team. Winterbourne were now in the ascendency, but had to be wary of the pacey counter attacks of Lyndon resulting in several good saves from keeper Kane Mannings. The final whistle went with the scores deadlocked at 1-1.

So yet another period of extra time was needed in this cup run, for once however, Winterbourne scored first with a stunning individual goal from super-sub Kieran Clark who drilled home from 20 yards out following a jinking run on the edge of the box.

Winterbourne players and fans went wild but needed to remain calm and composed for the last 10 minutes. Lyndon threw everything into attack and the defence of Callum Brown, Harry Selman, Ryan Serjent and George Ford had to be at its best to thwart the attacks.

As the final whistle went the Winterbourne players were elated as they realised what they had achieved; a place amongst the last 4 in the country.

Winterbourne now face Manchester Grammar in the semia final at Welbeck Defence College on Friday at 1pm.

Back row (L to R) George Ford, Ali West, Jon Barlow, Jack James, Harry Selman, Ed Green, Sam Bailey, Ryan Serjent
Front row (L to R) Colin Evans, Sam Bracey, Miles Hatfield, Callum Brown, Kieran Clark, Marcus Purnell
Not pictured: Kane Mannings (goalkeeper)