YORK Acorn's youth policy is set to see the club storm up the National Conference League structure - but maybe not yet.

That was the message from club spokesman Paul Lumby ahead of Saturday's crunch clash with Milford Marlins.

Acorn won the big derby with Heworth last week to lay claim to the tag of York's best amateur team. They are flying high in the table, level on points with second-placed Milford.

But, although he stated the future was rosy, Lumby was keen to keep the young players' feet on the floor.

"We want promotion obviously and we've got ourselves in a healthy position, but we've still maybe a year to go before the young kids can totally dominate this division," he said.

"Milford and Hunslet Warriors are probably the best two teams in the division and on current form are probably favourites to win promotion. But we'll be fighting all the way."

Acorn have stuck by their home-grown youngsters over the last few years and that policy is now beginning to bear fruit. Yet their average age is still only 21, the oldest players being Kenny Embleton at 29 and Lee Franks at 25.

"We're talking years rather than decades before we have a team capable of pushing up the NCL structure," said Lumby.

"If we don't go up this season then we'll definitely have a good chance next year.

"Competition for places is intense week in week out."

As for Saturday's clash, he said: "Milford are the league's most improved team since former Leeds player Paul Cook took charge.

"He seems to have got a good bunch of kids coming through.

"But we've done well at Milford over the years and did the double over them last season. We'll be travelling with confidence and hopefully we can carry on."

Heworth will expect to get their stuttering promotion bid back in gear at home to Keighley Albion.

The Villagers have now lost four matches and are down to fifth in the table. However, Saturday's visitors are the only team without a win, conceding more than 25 points on average per game.

Said Heworth spokesman Ken Sykes: "They're obviously struggling but some of their results have been quite close so they're probably not all that bad."

Steve Barnard (rib) and Nikki Wilson (calf) may return after missing last week's derby defeat.

New Earswick All Blacks have no Yorkshire League senior and division one game this weekend but have arranged a friendly against an Army outfit. They play the Reme engineering corps at White Rose Avenue (kick off 2pm).

Spokesman Charles Rollinson said: "It's a chance to get the lads back in action straight away following last week's league defeat."

Struggling York Groves travel to Sheffield to meet Hillsborough Hawks needing to put behind them recent performances.

Groves' defence has let them down in the past and, having won only one Pennine League division four game this season, the whole team needs to dispel the gloom.

Coach Alan Mitchell has had to contend with John Rushworth, Lee Harton, Darren Watson and Darren Gargan as long-term absentees.

Selby Warriors will strive for a Yorkshire League division three win at Leeds-based Stanningley. They will be training at 7pm today at Barlby High School. New players are welcome.

York Acorn 'A' will hope to keep their title challenge on track at home to Dewsbury Moor 'A' (kick off 2pm), while in YL division four, unbeaten Heworth 'A' face a tough trip to Swillington.

Updated: 12:09 Thursday, November 01, 2001