Heworth return to National Conference League action on Saturday with a new target to aim for - York Acorn.

The Villagers, who won through to round four of the BARLA National Cup last weekend, saw Acorn fail to pick up points from their division two fixture, meaning the gap between the city rivals has remained at four points.

And with Acorn apparently stuttering, Heworth want to overtake them in the standings and reiterate their claim of being York's top amateur side.

Villagers player-coach Brendan Carlyle said: "I don't think promotion is in the equation at the moment, but we want to finish as high as we can.

"One of the things going through the lads' minds is finishing higher than Acorn.

"We won 2-1 in the series between the sides and we now want to finish above them - that's driving the lads on as much as anything."

Heworth entertain Normanton Knights on Saturday, a side behind them in the table on points difference.

Carlyle said: "It's an important game for us. We beat them (20-16) in the first game of the season and our team is perhaps stronger.

"The way we've been playing, we are definitely on form. Our defeat of Mayfield was one of our best performances of the season."

Goalkicker Dave Carling is a doubt with 'flu, but forward Jason Gatus might return after a holiday.

York Acorn coach Alan Hebblethwaite has conceded their promotion chances are now very slim, while the club's run of rotten luck has continued with the news captain Lee Franks is out for the rest of the season.

However, his side have received a boost in the fight to finish as York's top amateur club - the return of Gareth Lloyd.

The burly former York Wasps centre has been let go by Gateshead Thunder under the Tynesiders' cost-cutting policy of releasing their Yorkshire-based players, and he has re-signed for his former amateur club.

Hebblethwaite said: "He'll be staying with us now unless he gets re-signed by a professional club. He'll effectively be going in the shop window.

"It is a boost for the club. We've lost that many players to the pro game that it's nice to get one back, with that bit of experience and bit of quality."

His return may temper the major blow of Franks' injury. The skipper suffered a blood clot last week and has been told by doctors not to run for three months.

Acorn travel to third-bottom Cottingham and Hebblethwaite said: "Realistically promotion is out of the window.

"There is still a possibility of making it but we needed to keep the pressure on the teams above us and we need to improve our performances.

"Obviously we want to finish higher than Heworth. There's a lot of local rivalry and it would be nice to finish above them."

Bottom club New Earswick All Blacks face a tough trip to Cutsyke in Yorkshire League senior and division one.

Player-coach Simon Baynes will be without Shaun Bewlay, Andy Fletcher and prop Phil Johnson, who are all unavailable, but will hope props Paul Booth and Jamie Daniel return after missing last week's basement battle at Brookhouse.

Spokesman Charles Rollinson said: "It will be a hard game as they are a good all-round team.

"Hopefully we'll still get a full 17 out and all we can ask for is 100 per cent, which is what we've been getting lately."

York Groves will have to be at their best for the full 80 minutes to complete a quick-fire double over Wetherby, warned player-coach Simon Moat.

A fine second-half display saw the Terriers beat their Pennine League division four rivals 20-0 last week but Moat reckons the Bulldogs, with home advantage, will be better in Saturday's immediate return tie.

The experienced Rich Pollock should be back for Groves, while Rich Needham could be return from injury.

The Terriers would welcome travelling support. The coach leaves the Castle Howard Ox, Townend Street, at 11.45am.

Mid-table duo Selby Warriors and York Acorn 'A' both entertain Castleford-based sides in Yorkshire League division three.

The battle for local supremacy will see Warriors face Cas Panthers 'A' and Acorn's reserves take on Lock Lane. Selby are training tonight on the field at Barlby High School field, starting 7pm.

Heworth 'A' have dropped to seventh in division four after their 18-0 defeat by Mirfield but remain just two points off runners-up spot.

They were wanting to bounce back against another of the teams bunched at the top, East Leeds 'A', but the game is off because of the West Yorkshire side's involvement in a cup competition.

Updated: 11:56 Thursday, February 14, 2002