York Acorn have been handed an excellent chance to reach the fourth round of the League Express National Cup should they beat Pudsey in the second round on Saturday.

The draw for the third round of the cup made this week gives the winners of this weekend's rearranged clash a home tie against North West Counties League minnows Blackpool Scorpions.

And the knowledge that further progress in the cup is very possible could bring added incentive to National Conference League club Acorn before their trip to Pudsey.

The Blackpool side play in division four of the NWCL and would be massive underdogs to reach round four, despite the fact they have won 12 of their 14 league games this term and had an excellent victory in the second round of the National Cup last Saturday, winning 20-16 at Yorkshire League division one outfit Stanningley, who only a few years ago applied to join the NCL.

Of course, Acorn must first end a run of seven straight defeats and overcome Yorkshire League premier division outfit Pudsey on Saturday (kick off 2pm).

As reported in the Evening Press, the clash was among 37 second round ties postponed last Saturday because of bad weather, but with neither team still involved in the Silk Cup Challenge Cup, they will meet in West Yorkshire this weekend.

Updated: 12:07 Thursday, January 25, 2001