YORK Acorn ARLC have a point to prove at Featherstone Lions, believes coach Josh Mortimer, ahead of Saturday’s National Conference League division one clash.

It has been only a month since the Blue and Golds last faced Fev, who won 20-10 at Thanet Road to knock Acorn out of the Coral Challenge Cup.

That defeat, Mortimer says, has been made yet more ignominious by his side’s 40-6 thumping of Dewsbury Moor Maroons on Saturday, a victory that drew plaudits from the home support.

He said: “(Moor) were talking about us and saying we were a really good defensive unit. They battered us in the first half, and teams usually fold, but we didn’t and we kept scoring our points.

“I’ve watched that game back and I’ve watched the Featherstone game back and the contrast between the games - it was like watching another team. I can’t get over how bad we were the last time we played (Featherstone).

“Hopefully we’ll put a few things right - we’ve got a point to prove, we didn’t do ourselves justice.”

The Moor game was the third on the bounce for Acorn, who are up to third in the early standings despite losing their opening fixture at Pilkington Recs.

“We’re starting to gain momentum,” Mortimer said. “It’s all about continuing that for me – I don’t want to lose again.

“I won’t say we won’t lose again before the end of the season but I don’t want to lose now.

“Last Sunday when I sent my review message, the lads said they want to show them what we’re about.

“We’ve got to be real disciplined at the weekend. They’re a good team, good at what they do and they’ve got some good individuals but I maintain that we’re a better rugby side than them.”

Fev have one player serving a five-match ban and one serving a 12-match ban from the Challenge Cup game, while two Acorn players escaped with one match each - and Mortimer is expecting some retribution.

“They’re not going to be impressed,” he added. “We’ve got to be prepared to match them physically, stick our chests out and show what we’re about.”

'A'-team players Connor Page, Alex Hardcastle and Martin Pedersen-Scott all impressed in Dewsbury and could be in line for another outing this weekend.

Heworth are up to 10th in division three after notching their second league win last week, beating Hunslet Warriors 36-22. On Saturday they travel to third-placed Desbury Celtic.