YORK ACORN face perhaps their toughest assignment of the Arriva Trains Conference division two campaign as they visit leaders Widnes St Marie's.

But player-coach Dave Kay is looking for his team to upset the apple-cart and kick on from their good win over Waterhead last week.

Widnes, led by rejuvenated former Super League star Bobbie Goulding, are the only unbeaten team in the division and, with player-coach Goulding pulling the strings from half-back, have emerged as shock early pace-setters.

But Kay said: "They've won seven from seven so we know it will be hard, but we're going there with the intention of upsetting the form-book.

"We're trying to let a few people know we mean business this year."

He added: "Of the four games we've lost, we've given three of them away through a lack of discipline. I told the team that last week and got a great response, their discipline was 100 per cent better and we gave few penalties away.

"The team that sticks to the game-plan the longest without getting frustrated or ill-disciplined tends to win games and we want to kick on from last week."

Mike Embleton is back and will come in for Stephen Irving, who has work commitments, while Lee McTigue is available and could come in for Mick Hagan (ankle), who is a doubt.

Hooker Fran Starkey is also in contention for a place, though Kay was not keen to make too many changes after last week's improved show.

Struggling Heworth have a week off, and this coincides with player Nathan Witty's stag do in Blackpool, which the squad will treat as a bonding session.

New Earswick All Blacks have the chance to end their slump in form as they entertain Ossett Trinity in Yorkshire League senior division.

All Blacks, who started the season in style, have now lost four games on the trot but face a team with only one win to their credit this campaign.

The three York and District rivals in Pennine League division five have all set off at a cracking pace, with only one defeat between them in their 11 games.

York Acorn 'A' lead the way with four wins from four and a stunning 242 points, and they can expect another bumper score as they entertain bottom club Keighley Town 'A'.

York Groves, behind Acorn on points difference, visit West Bowling 'B', who shipped in 74 points against Acorn last week, while in-form Selby Warriors, who have several games in hand, entertain another nearby team, Wetherby Bulldogs.

Struggling Heworth 'A', hammered 84-0 at by unbeaten Normanton 'A', will be hoping for better luck at Eastmoor 'A' in YL division three.

Updated: 10:19 Thursday, October 16, 2003