YORK Acorn ARLC entertain leaders Rochdale Mayfield in National Conference division one with boss Alfie Hill eyeing a potential shock.

Mayfield are four points clear at the top with 14 wins from 18 games, but they have lost key man Sam Butterworth, who has signed for National League One club Leigh Centurions, and Hill wants to take advantage of their recent shaky form.

"They're the best team in the league, that's why they're top, but just lately they've had a couple of hiccups," explained the head coach.

"They were beaten quite comprehensively last week (37-10 at home to Ince Rosebridge) and got beat three weeks ago."

Butterworth scored four tries in Mayfield's 66-30 victory over an under-strength Acorn side earlier in the season, and it seems the Lancastrians could be missing the stand-off's influence.

Hill added: "I'm not too disappointed he's not playing, and hopefully we can get a result against them."

However, Acorn, too, have lost another good player in Kyle Palmer, who has become the third man from Thanet Road to sign for York City Knights after Andy Gargan and Johnny Waldron.

Hill, though, is hopeful his has found a gem to fill the hole in Danny Broadwood, who will make his debut on Saturday at full-back or in Palmer's centre berth.

Broadwood, from Barkston Ash, is a former junior with West Hull but has been out of the game for a year or two to concentrate on athletics, chiefly 400-metre hurdles.

Hill explained: "He came down before Christmas and had a run-out in the A' team last week. I don't know a lot about him but he's quick and looks strong and big enough and he showed enough to warrant a first-team game."

As for Palmer's departure, he said: "It's a blow to our club but hopefully it will be a plus for York. I'd like to think he's good enough and I think he could be an asset to them."