Knights boss March lays down play-off challenge

9:33am Saturday 10th May 2008

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YORK City Knights player-coach Paul March has challenged his team to move into the National League Two's top six this weekend.

March has also stressed that a top-three finish is still not beyond the Huntington Stadium outfit, despite a record of just one league win from their opening six fixtures.

Because of the four bonus points Knights have accumulated, courtesy of narrow-margin defeats, a victory at Swinton Lions tomorrow (3pm) would lift them above their hosts, who have won half of their games.

With mid-table rivals Rochdale also facing a tough trip to second-placed Keighley, March is well aware three points against the Lions could lift his team two positions.

He said: "That's a massive incentive for us and, if we do go up to sixth, we have got to take confidence from being in that position having only won two games. I think, with the team we have got, we can go places if we get in the top six.

"I felt the squad we put together for the beginning of the season was good enough to make the top three and that's still not out of our reach, even though we have only won one game. A lot will depend on the next ten games.

"Swinton have got a lot of injuries apparently, but we won't be reading too much into that. We've improved during the last two games against Blackpool and Doncaster.

"We lost the game to Donny, not the other way round, and now we need to grind out another win."

Prop Adam Sullivan will make his first appearance for Knights after returning to the club from a spell in the French Elite League, with Aussie Dave Buckley also certain to start.

That will leave a four-way fight between Danny Ekis, Mark Applegarth, Scott Woodcock and Andy Bailey for just two places in the squad.

About his new forward options, March said: "Adam will bring competition for places. Since he's been offered terms, I've seen a difference in training with some of the forwards.

"They're all lifting their games and it's hard for me to pick a team now we have got an almost full-strength squad. Adam will give us that go-forward approach that we have been lacking.

"Dave Buckley has been a consistent performer who's done that and Adam should help in that department.

"I haven't played in France so can't really comment on whether he made a step down or a step up. You might also think playing back-to-back rugby seasons could take its toll, but Adam looks fit to be honest.

"He's had a few weeks' rest and is looking forward to his second debut and carrying on where he left off."

Hooker David March will be missing for "two to three weeks", however, after tearing his calf last weekend against leaders Doncaster, with his brother admitting: "He's a massive loss because he's been playing well."

Tom Hodgson will not stand in as a replacement despite scoring four tries for the reserves in midweek, but March believes his time will come.

He said: "I'm pleased with Tom. He's a bit unfortunate because we've got two good hookers at the club, but I've spoken to him and he's just got to be patient and take his chance when it comes. The same applies to Adam Endersby."