THERE is an air of excitement as Prudhoe Y C field their first Saturday senior team in its history.

This weekend marks the debut competitive outing for the Seniors as they head to the Gateshead International Stadium to take on the National League side’s ‘A’ team on the opening day of the Northern Alliance season.

Manager Duncan Graham is transferring his talented Sunday League bunch of promising players over into the Saturday leagues, as well as adding the experience from former Stocksfield men Phil Murray, Adrian Sutcliffe and Ben Pearson.

They have also brought back former YC youth players David Scott, Scott Brown and Ben Rutherford, while they are well stocked in the goalkeeper department with Andrei Rhodes, Mark Clark and Patrick Walsh vying for the gloves.

A strong squad has been assembled, and hopes are high they can challenge for promotion from Division Two.

Graham said: “While the club's target is for the team to reach the Alliance Premier Division within five years and, facilities permitting, the Northern League within 10, we see this first season as a learning curve for experience and consolidation with plenty of enjoyment along the way.

”Having said that, the team's preseason performances and results against higher level opposition have been impressive so we'll see what the season brings.“

Following the tough trip to Gateshead A, their first home game at Stocksfield Cricket Club is on Wednesday evening against Grainger Park Boys Club.

Another team hoping for promotion is Hexham as they aim to make the Premier Division under the new management team led by former Nottingham Forest and Swindon Town professional Bobby Howe.

With Matthew MacLoughlin, Jamie Peel, Dean Barnard and Marc Nixon all returning, and midfielders Mark Robson and Matt Wilson bolstering the ranks, the squad is looking the strongest it has for years.

They may have lost captain Gavin Cox to Ryton and Crawcrook Albion and David Hall to Tow Law Town, but the suggestions they can build on last year‘s terrific end of season form which saw them pick up points against the division’s top five teams are strong.

Senior team secretary Doug Robson said: ”Bobby Howe has come in with some new training methods which are going to take some time to bed in, but the lads are really enjoying it.

”This is the strongest squad here since we made the Minor Cup final three years ago and I would be disappointed if we weren‘t challenging for promotion.“

They start the campaign with a visit to newly promoted Felling Magpies, and they entertain Cullercoats at 7pm on Wednesday at the Wentworth.

Clayton Charity Cup champions Ponteland United are expected to be in the running at the top of the division too.

The team looked like they would put in a challenge last term before falling away, but they look in good nick to see it through and aim for a Premier return.

The return of captain Peter Scott and Andrew Davidson is a big boost, while having a fully fit Zac Bewley and Ryan Potts will be to their advantage too.

They have new manager Liam McIvor, a former player with Northern League side West Allotment Celtic, in place and has brought with him ex-Heddon man Steven Satterthwaite and Michael Armstrong.

He will have to wait for the return of playmaker Stevie Rae and striker Gary Cook who are out with injuries, while defender Paul Jones will miss the start of the campaign as he is honeymooning.

United welcome Wallsend Boys Club to the town on Saturday, swiftly followed by Wednesday’s trip to Shilbottle CW.

On the back of another solid campaign in the Alliance‘s top flight, Wallington will be targeting a top five finish.

The club have become a real force since promotion three years back, and they go into Saturday’s away game with Seaton Delaval Amateurs looking to continue their unbeaten run there.

With more or less the same squad as last year, they then look forward to welcoming Alliance champions Blyth Town to Scots Gap in midweek.