YORK Acorn will have to overcome the bogeyman if they are to keep their promotion push on track.

The Blue and Golds face a difficult match at Normanton Knights in the National Conference League division two (KO 2pm), the Wakefield side being something of a bogey team over the years.

At the start of the season, Normanton were out of sorts as Acorn enjoyed a rare 25-6 home success, but since then the York club have dipped while Normanton have run into good form.

Defeat for Acorn would not end their promotion hopes but would dent them and perhaps even bring Knights back into contention.

The York side have lost another of their star players to the professional game with Rob Lee joining York Wasps, but the club are confident it will not halt their promotion bid.

Lee has produced several inspirational performances at loose forward, most notably in the derby against Heworth, and he will be missed.

But spokesman Paul Lumby said: "Acorn have already seen one of their inspirational players leave for the pro ranks in Sheffield Eagles star Darren Callaghan and, despite the obvious initial disruption, the club are confident that, as in the case of Callaghan, the team will overcome the loss of Lee and continue to push for promotion.

"The only cause for concern is why we seem intent on allowing teams back into games that they have no right to be in.

"It is a failing we can't repeat at Normanton because they'll punish us."

Forward Paul Payne (dead leg) and winger Tim Wilcock (ankle) face late fitness tests, but the squad should be boosted by the return after a six-match ban of second-rower Carl Rollinson and centre Chris Martin, who missed last week due to work commitments.

Heworth could do neighbours Acorn a favour and at the same time keep their own faint promotion hopes alive by beating third-placed Milford Marlins at Elm Park Way (KO 2.30pm).

In-form Milford knocked premier division strugglers Walney Central out of the Challenge Cup last week, but Heworth pulled off an even bigger shock by winning at Ideal Isberg, who lie midway up the top tier.

That victory would have boosted the Villagers' morale as they look to avenge their last-minute 22-21 defeat by Milford in late September, their first loss of the campaign.

New Earswick All Blacks will bid to shock fourth-placed Cutsyke at White Rose Avenue in Yorkshire League premier and division one.

Basement club All Blacks were due to travel, but Cutsyke asked to switch venues as their changing rooms have been vandalised.

All Blacks' spokesman Charles Rollinson said: "It's another tough game. They're all pretty even sides in this division; everybody seems to take points off everybody else."

A much-improved turn-out and display against Lock Lane 'A' last week will give Selby Warriors confidence to get maximum points out of their YL division three relegation battle at home to Allerton Bywater.

The Warriors looked like folding a few weeks ago, but hopes are now high that the club's determination to continue will pay off, starting with a defeat of win-less Allerton.

At the other end of the table, York Acorn 'A' bid to reassert their tilt at a top four finish following last week's defeat to Upton 'A' with a home game against lowly Featherstone Lions 'A'.

A top-two clash between pacesetters Stanley Rangers 'A' and Heworth 'A' is set to light up division four.

York Groves' Pennine League division four trip to Siddall has been rearranged and will now be played at Groves' new South Moor home at Huntington.

The Terriers need to get more wins under their belt after a series of poor results, but two points on Saturday will see them go level with their visitors.

Player-coach Simon Moat will be without the Simpson brothers, Martin and Lee, but welcomes back after injury in-form Andy Starkey and utility man Rich Pollock, and he will rely on their experience plus that of Nigel Ridsdale to lift the team.

Updated: 12:17 Thursday, December 06, 2001