AMBITIOUS Pocklington Town Football Club will be out to repair the damage done by a six of the worst baptism for their under-19s in the highly-competitive Northern Alliance League.

The Pocklington teenagers were beaten 6-1 by hosts Glasshoughton Welfare in the eastern section of the youth league's opener. Graham Whitehead scored the club's debut goal, but it was merely a consolation.

Pocklington will be regularly encountering teams, whose senior squads have proud traditions in non-league footballing circles.

Among them are Pickering Town, whom Pocklington will entertain in their first home game this Sunday, Selby Town and Harrogate Railway.

Meanwhile, in the cup competitions Pocklington, who are already an official feeder club to York City, could face the likes of Bradford Park Avenue, Emley, Ossett Town, Sheffield, Gainsborough Trinity and Frickley.

The League's standing has been boosted in recent weeks with First Division outfit Rotherham United entering their Under-19s side into the southern section of the NA.

Pocklington could also face the Merry Millers' intermediates should the two sides be drawn together in the cup.

Pocklington chairman Ian Daniels admitted the NAL should prove a big test of Pocklington's ambitious plans.

"Our senior side plays in the York Leeper Hare League premier division at the moment but we have ambitions to go higher," he said.

"To get there we need a strong youth team and youth set-up.

"This is the first step and our ultimate aim is to get into the Northern Counties East League.

"The majority of teams our youngsters will be up against in the Northern Alliance League have their senior sides playing in the NCEL so it will be a step up.

"Many of them have come up through the ranks here although obviously we are stretching out net further now."

Updated: 11:51 Friday, September 07, 2001