HEREFORDSHIRE & District Schools under-15 manager Colin Preece said he could not have asked more from his side after they bowed out of the English Schools FA Playstation Inter Association Trophy on penalties.

The current team were only formed at the start of the season, but made history by becoming the first Herefordshire team to make the semi-finals.

"I told them that I'm immensely proud and they have nothing to be ashamed of," said Preece.

"Penalties are a lottery and it comes down to who holds their nerve.

"This is our first season in the under-15 competition and I am absolutely over the moon for them.

"They have knitted together as a team and done everything I have asked them to do."

The county side's journey in the competition started with a 12-1 away thrashing of Cheltenham & District before overcoming Woking 4-0.

A 2-1 home win against Blaenau Gwent followed in the third round before another 2-1 success was secured, this time against Plymouth.

Herefordshire then thrashed Vale of Whitehorse 4-0 in the quarter-finals to reach the last four for the first time.

Preece said the team have a 'never say die attitude' which was evident with their comeback against Aldershot & Farnborough.

"I don't think the teams played particularly well on the day, but I thought if we could get one goal back the impetus would be with us.

"I'm just a bit disappointed that we couldn't go over the line in the end.

"The next thing for us will be the under-16's next year, probably in a schools competition again but we're also looking to be an under-16 county team so hopefully we can attack two different competitions."