HEWORTH and York Acorn ARLC are both wary of potential banana skins as they enter the GMB Union National Cup at the second round stage on Saturday.

The two National Conference League clubs face opposition from supposedly inferior leagues, but difficult encounters are expected.

Heworth entertain Pennine League premier division side Elland (ko 2pm) and club spokesman Ken Sykes says it won't be easy, especially as the Villagers are likely to be without player-coach Chris Smith.

The former Super League winger took a bang on the knee in last week's loss to Normanton, though the silver lining is that he will be able to concentrate on his sideline duties given that assistant-boss Paul Newlove is in St Helens to play in former Saints team-mate Sean Long's testimonial.

Sykes said: "We've played Elland in the past but not for a number of years and we don't know much about them nowadays. But it's more important to concentrate on the way we play. If we don't make mistakes we'll be in with a good chance.

"It's likely to be a fairly close match. I think they're quite a strong side but I think we're probably slight favourites, particularly as we're at home."

Acorn do not have that home luxury as they take on Hunslet Old Boys (ko 2pm), who are flying high in the Yorkshire League premier division.

Head coach Alfie Hill said: "I don't know anything about them, but they're second in their league. It will probably be a rubbish council pitch which we'll have to put up with, and everything will be in their favour. But we've got to go about our business and we have to be confident that we've got a bit more than them."

Acorn will be without Great Britain Students international James Morrow, who is turning out for Yorkshire Students this weekend. However, Lee McTigue is back available and will replace him in the pack. Joe Budd and Tim Elliott are both expected to overcome knocks.