A PUPIL at Ponteland High School helped Northumberland Schools U18 get their season off to a winning start.

Will Hogarth came off the bench to take over in goal, and he made a crucial save to prevent visitors North Yorkshire getting back in the game.

In truth, Northumberland were out of sight at that point but the excellent reflex save denied the guests when they were enjoying a dominant spell.

In the end, the hosts won 6-2 with Jack Butler, a pupil at Morpeth's King Edward VI High School and an England Schools' international last year, scoring five.

Vinnie Proudlock, who attends Hexham's Queen Elizabeth High School, also came in for special mention following his notable contribution.

There was disappointment for fellow QE pupil Hugo Banks when he was injured during Northumberland U16's 4-1 defeat to North Yorkshire.

Northumberland were 2-1 down when the shot stopper needed to be replaced, his side going on to concede a further two goals without him.