YORK skipper Andy Kay reckons his side are up to the challenge ahead of their top-of-the-table Northumberland One clash against Percy Park at Clifton Park.

With three points separating the sides, York will be looking to avenge their narrow defeat to their Tyneside rivals less than a month ago.

That 13-11 loss was one of only two defeats in 11 for York so far this season, who are coming off a 40-10 win at Acklam last weekend.

But Percy Park have yet to register in the loss column and, with ten wins out of 11, narrowly defeated Durham City in another promotion clash six days ago.

That game, combined with York's win, pushed the Clifton Park club into second place, but Percy Park's form all season makes this a game York simply have to win.

And captain Kay says his boys are capable of doing just that. "It was very close last time out but we just didn't convert pressure into the points," he said.

"If we are going to win the title this is a game we have to win. If you look at last week's performance, we got the job done but, whether we realised it or not, we had a mind on Saturday. Tomorrow is massive, it doesn't get any bigger."

There will be a number of changes to the York side which lost so narrowly in Tyneside.

In the backs, the hard-running Rob Taylor is preferred at centre with Mike Ford being handed the responsibility of playmaker at stand-off.

Ford, who has been preferred to Craig Ventress, will be hoping to repeat his good all-round performance against Ryton ensuring that match-winning wingers Rob Kama and Sam Arkle are brought into play

York will rely on the experience of Dave Dorking and Nick Hare at prop, with Kiwi hooker John Sharpe being favoured over Rob Allen, who moves to the bench.

The only enforced change is at second row where Grant Williams takes the place of Rob Sparrow, who damaged ankle ligaments in the Acklam encounter.

Malton and Norton travel to Hartlepool Rovers in North 2 East on a high after a four-try second half got them back to winning ways against Morpeth.

Malton keep the same back line as last week, with Ian Cooke still unavailable because of concussion, but make changes in the pack.

Prop James Machin suffered a shoulder injury and is replaced by Carl Muscroft. In the second row Chris Robson will start with Richard Webster moving to the back row to replace the injured James McKay.

Andy Mitchell returns to the blind side and, subject to his registration passing smoothly, England Under 19 Schools Squad flanker James Hogg will be at openside.

National League Two strugglers Harrogate face a daunting trip to Manchester.

Updated: 10:15 Friday, December 17, 2004