AN angry Dave Kay has demanded improvement from his York Acorn side ahead of Saturday's visit of Normanton Knights.

Acorn gave by far their worst display of the season as they capitulated at Widnes St Marie's last week, and players have been warned they have to raise their game.

The Blue and Golds have slipped into the bottom half of the National Conference League second division after their third defeat of the season and a gap to the top teams is already developing.

Spokesman Paul Lumby said: "Dave has not been a happy man this week. Generally speaking we've been competitive in every game this season until last week.

"This is now a test of character for the players. If they deserve to wear the shirt then they've got to bounce back. We'll have to pull our socks up and get back to what we know we can do.

"We caught Widnes on the wrong day but it was the manner of defeat more than anything that was most disappointing."

Normanton have lost only once this season - narrowly at unbeaten Heworth - and will be no pushovers. "They're always tough and one or two players will have to raise their game," aded Lumby.

Ex-York Wasps centre Gareth Lloyd (ankle) and prop Mark Hebblethwaite (unavailable) will be missing, but centre Steven Irving and second row Carl Stannard are back and the versatile Andy Gargan, returning from Sheffield Eagles Academy, is in contention.

Scrum-half Craig Fox will have a late fitness test, while coach Kay might also promote several 'A' team players.

Heworth, who have no game this weekend following the withdrawal from the league of Dewsbury Moor, are likely to be leapfrogged at the top as Milford Marlins and Castleford Panthers, who are two points behind the Villagers but with better points difference, meet each other.

Unless that game ends level, Heworth will end the day in second spot.

Former York Wasps stalwart Mick Ramsden is at last in line for his league debut with New Earswick.

The All Blacks visit high-flying Ossett on Saturday in Yorkshire League division one knowing that victory is vital if they are to challenge for the title.

Jon Paul Wong, Tom Coomber, Jamie Daniel and Lee Nelson may return after missing last week's Yorkshire Cup extra-time defeat at Redhill, while Ramsden, who signed for the club in the close season as a player and fitness advisor, is set to join former Wasps' pals Alan Pallister and Dean Thomas in the line-up.

Second-row forward Paul Reibould is ruled out through injury and Mark Tipping faces a late fitness test on his shoulder.

Boss Simon Baynes is considering a number of options, including playing himself. The veteran player-coach is looking to create more scoring opportunities, particularly out wide.

York Groves will look to take the positives out of last week's Yorkshire Cup defeat by higher-ranked Keighley Town as they entertain Siddal 'A' in Pennine League division four.

The Terriers were the better side for much of that game and deserved more than the 18-0 defeat.

York Acorn 'A' visit Sherburn in YL division two, while Heworth 'A' will look for a home victory over winless Woodhouse.

Updated: 11:52 Thursday, October 03, 2002