A BIG day for York Acorn ARLC will see their first team attempt to sustain their promotion hopes and their reserves claim a cup final place.

The first team take on struggling Cottingham on Saturday in National Conference division two while the 'A' team visit Queensbury 'A' in the Pennine League's Andrew Bennett Memorial Trophy semi-finals.

Acorn boss Dave Kay has ruled out throwing first-teamers into the reserves as they seek silverware but says they should be pretty well set as it is.

"We won't be planning to put players in there to strengthen them but one or two of the fringe players, who we can pull on, will be playing with them," he said.

"We're in a position where we haven't had to dip into the second team too much, so they have a fairly settled squad.

"Our first team have used something like 25 players throughout the year, which is pretty good for this stage, and most of that squad is available again on Saturday barring the suspensions and long-term injuries."

First team doubts are Danny Liddell, who has impressed at full-back since taking over from the crocked Kev Brundrett but tweaked a hamstring last week, and Chris Hopcutt, who is still struggling with a thigh strain.

Kay added: "Other than that we've got a fairly settled team which allows the second team to play their usual team."

Heworth, who are not in action this weekend, will be hoping for an Acorn win. The Villagers beat Cottingham last week to jump out of the re-election zone and the Blue and Golds will be favourites to do likewise following their excellent win at Millom which re-ignited their promotion challenge.

But Kay warned: "We were in this position a few weeks ago going to Huddersfield Sharks, who are in a similar position to Cottingham. People were thinking we'd win but we only drew.

"We beat Cottingham quite convincingly at their place earlier this season and we'll be aiming for a similar result but I'm not taking anything for granted."

Acorn 'A' will need to bridge a two-division gap to sustain their knockout hopes.

Opponents Queensbury 'A' are mid-table in Pennine League division two, while they are in division four but Ian Hann's men have lost just twice in the league this term as they seek a second successive promotion and they knocked out high-flying third division side Boothtown in the last round.

York Groves will seek a second successive win as their battle to avoid relegation from division five takes them to Park Amateurs 'A', while promotion-chasing Selby Warriors will look for maximum points against Cowling Harlequins.

Heworth 'A' have no game in Yorkshire league division three.

New Earswick All Blacks also have a big day ahead on Saturday as they try again to play their GMB Union National Cup fourth round tie against Halton Simms Cross.

The original match last weekend was postponed due to a waterlogged White Rose Avenue pitch.

As reported last week, All Blacks will be big underdogs against the North West Counties champions but they have shocked two National Conference sides to reach this stage and Simon Baynes' men have nothing to lose.

National Conference premier division leaders Leigh Miners Rangers lie in wait for the victors.

Updated: 09:39 Thursday, March 03, 2005