EXCITEMENT was at fever pitch as competitive football is due to make a return to the district after close to six months.

The Tyne Valley's leading teams are pencilled in to play their first league fixtures as the Northern Alliance is scheduled to start tonight (September 2).

All eyes from Tynedale will be on Division One as Prudhoe Youth Club Seniors, Hexham and Haltwhistle Jubilee are all capable of mounting a serious title challenge.

Prudhoe were looking good value for promotion prior to the outbreak of coronavirus resulting in the season being declared null and void, and they should again be in the mix this time around. They are due to travel to Felling Magpies tonight ahead of Saturday's game at Forest Hall.

Haltwhistle will be confident of a title charge in their first season in the division after their storming season in Division Two last term made them first choice for promotion following the resignation of Blyth Spartans Reserves.

Hexham will be disappointed that they dropped away midway through last season, but they certainly have the ability in their squad to pose problems.

The two teams are due to meet in the season opener at Haltwhistle tonight, with Hexham at home to Whitley Bay SC and Haltwhistle on their travels to Whitburn & Cleadon at the weekend.

Ponteland United Reserves were promoted from the Development Division under the same terms as Haltwhistle in the division above, and they are due to start life in Division Two with a trip to Newcastle University A in midweek. They host Newcastle Blue Star U23 on Saturday.

Ponteland's first team will follow up tonight's trip to Winlaton Vulcans in the Premier Division with a home game against Cullercoats on Saturday, while Wallington's visit to Alnwick Town in midweek will get them ready for hosting Gateshead Rutherford.

Newly formed Heddon United and Prudhe Youth Club Development will play in the North East Combination League, which is also due to start tonight.

Competitive football is set to return on a Sunday morning too with the first set of fixtures for the Hexham and District Sunday League scheduled for the weekend. Favourites Bardon Mill start with a home game against newly promoted Wark.