HEAD coach Scott Rhodes is confident that if his York Acorn ARLC side perform with pace and precision this weekend they will be in the hat for the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup third round draw.

Kingstone Press League One clubs such as York City Knights enter the competition at that stage and Rhodes says one of the incentives when his side entertain Cumbrian Men's League champions Distington in round two on Saturday (2pm) is the potential of taking on semi-pro opposition - not least their Minster city mates.

He is aware their visitors will provide a big test - even if this is their first-ever time on the Road to Wembley - but is confident his side, returning to the National Conference League premier division this year, will progress should they be on the ball.

"It could be a big game for the club and the team so it's important we get the performance right," said Rhodes.

"The difference between the Conference and other (amateur) leagues is the speed - our league is a bit quicker and played with more pace.

"If we play with pace and discipline I can't see there being a problem, but we'll see. You never know.

"I'll prepare the team and they will do their best on the pitch like they always do."

Rhodes admits he knows little of Distington but has already labelled them "dangerous" after they dismantled Normanton 31-18 in round one - Acorn having come from behind to beat the West Yorkshire side 30-22 in last year's National Conference League division one play-off final.

He said: "I don't really know what to expect but I suspect they'll be a big, tough, rough, physical team that will try to mix it up a little.

"They've got some great clubs in Cumbria - the likes of Wath Brow and Kells in the Conference - but we beat Kells last year quite easily at home. That's not the problem - the problem is whether we go out and play well.

"We're trying to get our own performance right. We're a dangerous team, especially at home. If we get things right I'd be confident of going through."

On the incentive of a potential money-spinner third round tie - the draw for which will be made next Tuesday night - Rhodes said: "Being massive for the club is one thing, but it's massive for the players more than anything else.

"They could get the chance to prove themselves against paid players.

"That's the motivation for the team.

"In any case it's pretty exciting - it's the Challenge Cup. You want to go as far as you can.

"We played Hull KR (in 2006) and Rochdale (2008) not too long ago and we should have beaten Gateshead Thunder at Gateshead a few years ago (2012).

"It's exciting to be in that draw and we want to be in it again this year.

"What a great opportunity we could get. You never know, we could get York City Knights at Bootham Crescent - that would be a fantastic occasion wouldn't it."

Rhodes will be without back-rower Elliot Bulmer and hooker Jimmy Mountford but natural replacements Haiden Barber and Harry Bromwich are available again.