TAKING York Acorn ARLC to the next level is the tough task in store for ambitious coach Alfie Hill.

Hill steered his Thanet Road side to sixth in the National Conference premier division table having been pre-season relegation favourites.

The Blue and Golds are now firmly established as a top-flight club, reaching the play-offs in their debut season in 2008/9 and repeating the feat this term.

Their end-of-season knockout campaign ended at the first hurdle, with a 20-6 defeat away to Hull giants Skirlaugh.

But Hill is convinced the club have the squad to snatch some silverware in the near future.

“We have got to set our goals a little higher for next season now – maybe getting into the top two,” said the shrewd coach.

“We will have to win some silverware – the National Cup, the league championship or the play-offs.

“I think that is within our capabilities now.

“We have a reasonable squad and we’ve got young lads coming through – and you need that at this level.”

Acorn finished the regular season with four straight wins, including a last day 36-16 victory over champions Leigh East. They lost only one of their last nine league fixtures.

And Hill is already excited by the prospect of the 2010/1 campaign, saying: “The season we’ve just had really spurs me on.

“When you are tipped for relegation two seasons running and finish in the top six, then it is a very successful season.”