Football mad teenagers from Harrow's John Lyon School (JLS) were aiming to pile the misery on its former headmaster in the semi-finals of the prestigious Rensburg Sheppards ISFA Cup last night (Wednesday).

The Middle Road-based school'sU15 football team travelled to face Manchester Grammar, where Dr Christopher Ray moved to from JLS in 2004.

And while the current squad were too young to have been pupils under Dr Ray's tutelage during his time there, they were set to be cheered on by a coachload of old boys who were.

JLS beat Aldenham School 2-1 on penalties after their first round tie went into extra time and ended 3-3. They then dumped Westminster out in the second round, winning 3-2.

They edged out Bolton School 2-1 in the quarter-finals and Manchester Grammar, while favourites to progress, will not be taking JLS lightly.

Dr Ray's successor, Kevin Riley, said: "We managed to see off Bolton School in the quarter-finals and they were quite highly rated, so Manchester Grammar holds no fears for our team.

"Of course the fact that my predecessor at JLS, Dr Christopher Ray, is now at the helm there adds an extra piquancy to the fixture - but it's a very friendly rivalry."

The Rensburg Sheppard U15 Cup, run by the Independent Schools Foot-ball Association, is the most prestigious cup for this age group.

Should JLS win they will play either Eton or Dulwich at the Pirelli Stadium, home of Blue Square Premier leaders Burton Albion, on March 5.