THE dream is still alive and kicking for the Year 10 Football Team from Ribblesdale High School as they continued their outstanding run in the English Schools Under 15 Cup.

After knocking out the highly-fancied RSA Academy from West Bromwich in the quarter-finals, the local lads were drawn against favourites Wright Robinson from Manchester in the last four.

Playing away at the home of Stalybridge Celtic, the Manchester team were full of Academy players – included Manchester City’s talented England Under 16s player Kean Bryan.

The strength and skill of the Manchester team was evident early on and Ribblesdale keeper Josh Pomfret tipped a rasping drive on to the crossbar.

But the Clitheroe side weathered the storm and, thanks to some resolute defending by Luke Wilde and Andrew Tomlinson, grew in confidence.

Dominic Telford, who went close early in the first half, was proving to be Ribblesdale’s danger man and produced an outstanding left-footed volley which crashed down off the inside of the bar before bouncing to safety.

But Ribblesdale were spurred on and Alister Lofthouse threaded a neat ball to Telford who coolly slotted the ball home.

He added a second soon after with a moment of individual brilliance, capped off with a magnificent left foot strike.

The classy Bryan pulled one back but Ribblesdale held on for a famous victory to set up a cup final against The Oasis Academy from Croydon at Derby County’s Pride Park on on Monday, May 14.