SEVERAL local secondary schools start out on the long trail to national honours in the English Schools' FA Under 14s Individual Schools Cup.

The highly popular national competition attracted more than 1000 entries last season and there is plenty of local interest in the early round this season.

Sharples School have been given an away tie at Our Lady of Peace School (Skelmersdale); St. Joseph's School travel to meet St. Bede's (Ormskirk) and Bolton School make the trip to take on Parrs Wood School (Manchester).

Thornleigh are drawn at home to Grange School (Northwich) and Mount St Joseph's School are also fortunate and have a home tie against St Matthew's School (Manchester) but Elton (Bury) and Turton School have an easier task having been given a bye into the next round.

Little Lever are at home to Newall Grange (Manchester); Broadoak School (Bury) have a home tie against Albany School (Chorley); Rivington and Blackrod School host Campion School (Liverpool); Deane School entertain Birkdale School (Southport) but Tottington School (Bury) must travel to Wilmslow School.