YORK Acorn coach Leigh Paul-Rientoul wants his players to take greater responsibility ahead of the tough weekend trip to Rochdale Mayfield.

Acorn slipped up for the first time in three games last week when beaten at home by fellow strugglers Egremont Rangers.

The result left the club five points adrift of safety after nine games in the Northern Conference League premier division.

According to Paul-Rientoul, there is a growing danger of relying too heavily on forwards Tim Stubbs and Joe Porter to get the team out of trouble.

"There is not too much wrong," he said. "We have got the talent – but it's about everyone turning up in the right frame of mind.

"Over the past few weeks, we have been relying too much on players such as Tim and Joe," he said. "We have got to share the workload and we all have to muck in more.

"Right from number one to 17, we have a part to play and we all have to do what we are good at. We have to show a bit of attitude," he stressed.

With no fixture next week, a number of players will be going away on holiday after the Rochdale game – which may bring the problem of minds not being on the job.

If that is the case, it could spell problems against Rochdale who are currently one of the form teams in the division with nine points from a possible ten in the last five games.

"There were a few excuses and reasons for what happened last week against Egremont," said Paul-Rientoul.

"A lot of guys had played three games in seven days, for example, and I knew that could take it's toll. But I was also quite impressed with the way Egremont played. If they keep playing like, they will definitely be up there this season.

"We are making some really good tackles but getting up too quickly. It is just a case of not doing the right things but I don't think there is too much to worry about."

Captain Joe Budd and prop forward James Bromwich are both unavailable for selection.

York Acorn A, meanwhile, travel to Illingworth in the Yorkshire Men's League premier division.

Both sides go into the game on the back of heavy defeats last weekend – Acorn 'A' beaten by 36 points at Sharlston and Illingworth losing by 54 at West Bowling. The two sides are currently level on points in mid-table.

In division one, Heworth have a tough looking trip to second-placed Batley Boys who have won their last four games.

York Lokomitive, who are sixth in division two, visit third place Scarborough Pirates boosted by last weekend's win over Bradford Victoria Rangers.