Durham Johnston School are hoping to go one step further than last year when they compete in the national stages of a five-a-side championship.

Last year's Under-12s girls team were runners-up in the English Schools' Football Association Wagon Wheels Cup so the class of 2001 are aiming to wipe-out the memory of their elders' disappointment.

The team will play at the Aston Villa Leisure Centre, Birmingham, on March 24 having become the first North-East school to win the regional finals in successive seasons at Thornaby two weeks ago.

An impressive haul of six wins from seven matches was their record during which captain Jemma Dinning top-scored with 12.

Meanwhile, the school's Under-16s 11-a-side girls team are through to the third round of the All England Cup having won 3-1 at Holmfirth High School in the previous round.

They now travel to Hartlepool English Martyrs for a place in the last eight