The game may have only been played on a training ground pitch at under 17 level but for the Magpie youngsters, beating their local rivals was every bit as important as the Premiership fixtures.

The game attracted around 200 fans to the Maiden Castle pitches near Durham, and proved that at long last the drain of talent from the area has been ended.

Hat trick hero for United was local lad Richard Offiong, who was in the right place to convert chances served up by fellow striker, Michael Chopra.

However, the rest of the team were just as impressive. Watch out for the names Peter Ramage, Damon Robson, Chris Moore Tommy English and others in the future.

Last weekend the lads fell 3-2 at Derby in a hard-fought game on a heavy pitch but again showed great promise. Keep track of their progress via NUFC.com

Biffa