A JUNIOR football team is raising the bar once again after yet another prolific season in the Pin Point League.

Prudhoe YC U10 Magpies finished runners-up in the Pin Point League’s top division, the Champions League, to renowned winners Newcastle Benfield.

They also won the regional Middlesbrough Cup, and the Blackpool Youth Tournament, where they took on sides from other parts of the country.

And the Magpies, who have rocketed through the divisions in the Pin Point League in recent seasons, are preparing for their latest challenge.

They will kick off the new campaign at U11 level, which will see them switch from seven-a-side football to nine-a-side.

“It’s been an incredible season,” said manager Mattie Thompson. “The players have been absolutely brilliant.

“They are all important cogs in the wheel. They all have a key role in the way we play as a team, and we’re very much looking forward to the next challenge.”

The Magpies started life as a Division Three side, but after winning the league at a canter, they were automatically promoted to the Premier League, which they also won.

“This was our first season in the Champions League,” said Mattie. “I knew we could compete because we played teams at this level in pre-season, and we matched them.

“Few teams have defeated Newcastle Benfield over the past five years. We won one and lost one against them, and they only pipped us to the league title by a small margin.”

The season also saw Prudhoe enjoy two victories over Newcastle United’s U9 elite academy side.

Mattie is an experienced coach at both junior and senior level. He previously managed Prudhoe Town in the Northern Alliance, and also served as assistant manager at Tow Law Town in the Northern League.

He is assisted with the U10 Magpies by fellow experienced football men Paul Thompson and Gareth McAlindon.